Title Eliminator! Four Reasons To Watch UFC on FOX 18
Fight week is upon us, as UFC on FOX 18 is slated for this Saturday night (January 30, 2016) live on FOX from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
With pivotal bouts occupying the top portion of the card, the UFC has filled out the event with interesting names and intriguing contests.
Are you considering skipping out on the night’s action?
Let’s take a look at four reasons why you should clear the schedule, and tune into UFC on FOX 18:
Can Tarec Saffiedine Be A Legitimate Contender?
Coming into the UFC back in 2013 as the last ever Strikeforce welterweight champion, Tarec “Sponge” Saffiedine had large expectations surrounding him.
However, he has only competed twice since then, scoring a unanimous decision victory over Hyun Gyu Lim in his debut, and suffering a TKO loss at the hands of former title challenger Rory MacDonald in his sophomore performance.
To add to the issues, Saffiedine hasn’t competed since October 2014 due to a series of injury setbacks.
Still ranked No. 9 in the 170-pound rankings, “Sponge” is ready to make his return this weekend in Newark, as he’s scheduled to take on No. 12-ranked Jake “The Juggernaut” Ellenberger.
Despite having fallen on extremely tough times as of late, Ellenberger remains a strong wrestler with dangerous power in his hands.
That being said, it will be interesting to see where “Sponge” stands in the crowded welterweight division. Can he eventually become the contender we all thought he’d be?
“Super” Sage Is Back In Action
It’s no secret that the UFC has put a huge promotional push behind “Super” Sage Northcutt, and the 19 year old phenom will be making his third appearance since debuting in the Octagon just three months ago.
After rising to stardom on Dana White’s “Lookin’ For A Fight”, Northcutt exploded onto the scene, running through Francisco Trevin like a truck at UFC 192, scoring a 57 second knockout victory.
“Super” Sage followed that up with a submission victory over Cody Pfister last month in Las Vegas, and was quickly scheduled to take on Andrew Holbrook at UFC on FOX 18.
Holbrook, however, was recently forced out of the bout with an injury and was replaced by Bryan Barberena. Not only will Northcutt be taking on a different opponent, but he will be moving up from his usual home at lightweight to welterweight in order to do so.
Can the UFC’s new golden boy keep it rolling in New Jersey?
A Clash of Rising Heavyweights
The co-main event of the evening will feature a showdown between No. 8-ranked former UFC heavyweight champion Josh “The Warmaster” Barnett and No. 7-ranked “Big” Ben Rothwell.
After returning to the promotion in 2013, “The Warmaster” scored an impressive TKO victory over former divisional kingpin Frank Mir before suffering a brutal stoppage loss to Travis Browne at UFC 168. Barnett would go on to take a hiatus from fighting, but recently returned to score a unanimous decision victory over heavy handed slugger Roy Nelson.
Rothwell, on the other hand, has been rolling as of late. After taking out Brandon Vera at UFC 164, “Big Ben” would go on to score a huge upset win over Alistair Overeem in September 2014, knocking out “The Reem” in the very first round.
Most recently, Rothwell continued his streak of finishes by submitting Matt Mitrione last June.
With the division seemingly in a limbo of sorts as of late, both men should be extremely hungry to continue their rise up the ranks, and near closer to a title shot.
Title Eliminator
With the recent reinstatement of troubled former light heavyweight king Jon “Bones” Jones, it’s all but confirmed that “Bones” will rematch current champion Daniel Cormier sometime this year in hopes of retaining his title.
That being said, UFC on FOX 18’s main event holds serious title implications in the 205-pound division.
No. 2-ranked knockout artist Anthony “Rumble” Johnson will meet surging No. 3-ranked Ryan “Darth” Bader with the winner likely earning a title shot.
Johnson was originally in line to face off with Jones last May for the title, but ended up taking on “DC” when “Bones” was arrested, suspended, and stripped of the title.
After landing a huge blow early on, “Rumble” would eventually be forced to tap out, making Cormier the undisputed boss. Since then, the Blackzilian’s product has bounced back with a stunning knockout of Jimi Manuwa last September.
Bader has quietly put together an impressive five fight winning streak, recently scoring unanimous decision victories over Phil Davis and former champion Rashad Evans.
Typically stumbling when he nears the top, “Darth” will look to finally get over the hump and earn a long awaited UFC title shot, while “Rumble” will aim to ruin those plans, and earn another shot of his own.
