UFC
UFC NEWS: UFC 118 Prelims on Spike confirmed with Lauzon vs. Etim, Rivera vs. Sakara
Jun 24, 2010 - 12:11:06 PM UFC NEWS: UFC 118 Prelims on Spike confirmed with Lauzon vs. Etim, Rivera vs. Sakara

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Spike TV today confirmed that UFC 118 will bring an hour long "UFC Prelims Live" broadcast to the network leading into the pay-per-view event this August, and the two bouts chosen for the special are Joe Lauzon vs. Terry Etim and Jorge Rivera vs. Alessio Sakara.

Lauzon returned to action this January after a lengthy hiatus due to injury, losing a decision to Sam Stout at UFC 108. It marked only his second loss in seven UFC appearances, and now he'll have an opportunity to fight in front of his hometown crowd in Boston. Etim, meanwhile, had a four fight win streak snapped at UFC 112 in April when he was submitted by Rafael Dos Anjos.

Rivera is coming off a huge TKO victory over Nate Quarry in his last bout that moved him to 8-5 in the UFC. It was his third consecutive win. Sakara has pieced together three straight wins himself, and will be looking to make it a fourth in this one.

UFC 118 airs live on pay-per-view following the broadcast from the TD Garden in Boston, Mass., headlined by the UFC Lightweight Title rematch between B.J. Penn and Frankie Edgar.

Penick's Analysis: This is such an excellent card, and having seven guaranteed fights airing on Spike and pay-per-view means fans are in for an extremely excellent night of fights. This is nothing but welcome, as free fights are always great. These matchups may also end early, leaving the possibility of even more of the eleven fight card making it to air.

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