Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Most anticipated fights at UFC 144 outside of the main event
Feb 23, 2012 - 7:45:53 PM ROUNDTABLE: Most anticipated fights at UFC 144 outside of the main event

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Outside of the main event, which UFC 144 bout are you most looking forward to and why?

RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST


I'm looking forward to the 95 second brawl between Mark Hunt and Cheick Kongo. Look, not every fight that the UFC books has to be a technical masterpiece. Not every fight needs to be beautiful. And not every fight has to show every aspect of the sport. Sometimes there's something to be said about two of Jules Winnfield's wallets punching and kicking each other as hard as humanly possible until one gets knocked on their can. And when it comes to wallets kicking and punching really really hard, yeah, this will do nicely thankyouverymuch.

Now, that said, there are like seventeen fights on this card I'm anticipating heavily.  This card is stacked.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR



I have to go with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson vs. Ryan Bader. I want to see what Rampage can do in front of the Japanese crowd. It should be a really good fight. I want to see Rampage unleash hell on Bader like the old days.


ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

For me, as a fan, I'm excited to see Rampage Jackson back in Japan fighting. He made his career there, and I truly believe that he'll be in the right frame of mind to make it a memorable night for Japan. Another fight that I am excited for, unexpectedly, is Mark Hunt vs. Cheick Kongo. I say unexpectedly because I couldn't see myself excited about this fight if it were taking place anywhere else. Because it's taking place in Japan, this should (hopefully) be a good striking match-up and hopefully a clean decisive finish for the winner. It should be exciting.


ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR



Of all the fights on the UFC 144 card, I am most looking forward to Rampage Jackson versus Ryan Bader. I have thought for quite a while now that Rampage would retire. He mentions it in almost every interview that he does these days. I don't think his heart is in MMA, and this could realistically be his last fight. I think for that reason, this will be one of his most exciting fights ever. I look for him to be as exciting in this fight as he is been since entering the UFC.  I think Rampage wins this fight by knockout.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I tried really hard to get hyped up for the Cheick Kongo fight, but there's no way Mark Hunt is going to be able to stand with him, so that fell out of my mind. Then I thought, well Rampage vs. Bader could be either the start of Bader's legacy, or the end of Rampage's, but the matchup doesn't look that phenomenal on paper. So I looked down the card further and found my gem, Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields. These two are a solid bet to put on the fight of the night, and are probably expected to do so. Jake Shields has his chance at redemption after taking two consecutive losses for the first time in his career, and Akiyama has a chance to save his spot on the UFC roster.

It will be a battle of wills, and Jake Shields looks like a good favorite going into the fight. Akiyama has had so many fantastic performances inside the Octagon; perhaps being on home turf will finally give him the extra spurt to take home a much needed victory. This match-up looks great from all angles and I can't wait for the fight to start, and the technical war to begin.


JASON AMADI, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon is the most intriguing fight on this card for me. Pettis had the best performance of his career against Benson Henderson a year and a half ago, but has looked flat ever since. He showed a serious regression in defensive wrestling and strategy against Clay Guida and didn't look much better against Jeremy Stephens. Lauzon is a dangerous opponent and if Pettis isn't on top of his game, he'll lose.

Lauzon is closer to title contention than he's ever been, and while his cardio issues will likely plague him for the rest of his career, for the first five minutes of a fight he's as dangerous as any lightweight in the sport. If he wins here, Joe Lauzon could be one first round finish away from holding a UFC championship.

This fight will more than likely decide the next contender to the UFC Lightweight Championship and should be monitored very closely.