A Light Heavyweight Title Match between “Suga” Rashad Evans and Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida headlines Saturday’s UFC 98 in Vegas, but a stacked undercard turns it into a must-see show. With Matt Hughes, Matt Serra, and Sean Sherk all in competition, this show isn’t just about the main event.
Lets start with the grudge match, as Hughes will take on Serra in the co-main event. Remember, these 2 were set to fight following season 6 of Spike TV’s The Ultimate Fighter. But a last minute injury to Serra meant Georges St. Pierre had to step in, and subsequently whip Hughes in an all-too-easy 2nd round win. It’s been almost a year since Hughes was last in The Ocatagon; June 7th, 2008 to be exact at UFC 85. But it’s a big fight for Hughes…he’s lost 3 of his last 4 fights, and hasn’t been really impressive in the last number of years. His only recent win came over Chris Lytle at UFC 68 and his loss to Thiago Alves wasn’t even close (2nd round TKO). At 35, you wonder if a loss here spells the end of his career.
As for Serra, he’s extremely popular, but hasn’t fought in more than a year. That loss wasn’t close either…April 19th, 2008 in Montreal when he was demolished by GSP. I’m not sure what to make of Serra as a fighter, to be honest. I love the guy as a coach on the show, I love the guy as a personality. But where is he in the 170 pound mix? After winning TUF Season 4, he shocked the world and beat GSP. But in the return match, he got completely pulverized. Before those 3 fights, he hadn’t been in the UFC since 2005. To me, I completely respect his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pedigree and have been impressed in how his standup game has improved. To me, that’s where this fight shakes down. I have NOT been impressed with Hughes in the striking game, so he’ll be outmatched by Serra. But Hughes is an outstanding wrestler and will look for takedowns; if Serra can keep his back off the mat, he’ll win this fight standing. If Hughes can avoid Serra’s BJJ on the ground and use his ground and pound effectively, Hughes wins. I just see Serra coming away with this one.
I like the potential of Sean Sherk and Frankie Edgar at 155 pounds. Sherk looked incredible in his last fight at UFC 90; a win over Tyson Griffin. He wants to get back to the top of the perch at 155 pounds, and is driven to get there. What I like about Sherk lately is his last 2 fights (a loss to BJ Penn, the win over Griffin) he’s looked really good on his feet. His striking has been solid, especially against Griffin, and we all know how good a wrestler he is.
He takes on Edgar (9-1) who is also coming along as a striker. Also an accomplished wrestler, Edgar has the age advantage on Sherk (Edgar is 27, Sherk is 35). In his 5 UFC appearances, he’s won 4 fights including wins over Griffin, Hermes Franca and Spencer Fisher. Edgar will give Sherk a run, but to me, The Muscle Shark is on the war path and wants his belt back. I give Sean the edge standing up and I think he’ll be able to pull this fight out via decision.
The always exciting (if not successful) Drew McFedries is back at it the middleweight division. McFedries (7-5) will take on the explosive 20-10 “Professor X” Xavier Foupa-Pokam. Another middleweight battle between Dan Miller and Chael Sonnen rounds off the televised card. We’ll preview the main event tomorrow.
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