Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Most anticipated MMA fights for February 2015
Feb 7, 2015 - 3:25:34 PM ROUNDTABLE: Most anticipated MMA fights for February 2015

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What remaining fights in February are you most anticipating (provided no more major injuries happen before they transpire), and why?


RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Bellator: Alexander Shlemenko vs. Melvin Manhoef should REALLY be on a Sengoku card. It feels almost wrong that it's happening stateside in freaking Fresno.

Bellator: Emanuel Newton vs. Liam McGeary is going to be really interesting. Despite the fact that they're in the same pool (ie - non-UFC), I think the winner of this fight emerges with much more esteem than they have going in. This should be a lot of fun.

WSOF: Marlon Moraes vs. Someone - doesn't matter who Moraes is fighting (Josh Hill). If Moraes is fighting, I'm watching. Even on a Thursday night. Even with Bas Rutten on the mike. Even with Todd Harris or Kenny Rice (who is excellent on the horse racing circuit) carrying Bas' water. Even on a card with literally zero other top-1000 P4P fighters

UFC: Valentine's Day? Really UFC? Fortunately, I have a beautiful and intelligent wife who wants nothing to do with going out on a night when every other couple in the universe is out as well, so I get to stay home to watch Brandon Thatch fight an all-blowed-up Benson Henderson. Thatch is a blooming cult hero to us, much like Carlos Condit is. Would watch Thatch fight anyone, anytime, anywhere. Also on Valentine's Day, Zach Makovsky is fighting against someone who doesn't know how to return a f***ing phone call. WAR FUNSIZE!

And an obligatory shout out to Rousey vs. Zingano. UFC 184 lost Weidman vs. Belfort, Jacare vs. Romero, and Mir vs. Bigfoot. Now an untested Holly Holm is fighting a horrific Rocky Pennington in the co-main. Will I be watching? Sure. Row row row your boat, gently down the...


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Melvin Manhoef vs. Alexander Shlemenko from Bellator 133 is the next fight I'm looking forward to. What can I say, I'm a Manhoef fan. I'm also interested in seeing how Benson Henderson does on short notice as he jumps to welterweight to fight Brandon Thatch at UFC Fight Night 60. I normally don't care that much for Henderson fights, but this is intriguing. I'm mildly interested in seeing Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino vs. Charmaine Tweet at Invicta FC 11, because I want to see what Cyborg looks like. The big one, though, is UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey vs. Cat Zingano at UFC 184. Anytime I get to see Rousey fight, I'm pumped. She's one of the best fighters going today, so her fights are always a treat. I fully expect her to win and dominate Zingano but that's more about how good Rousey is. Zingano is a good fighter so there's always the possibility of an upset. The co-main event on that card is also interesting as Holly Holm fights Raquel Pennington. I want to see what Holm looks like as she makes her UFC debut. That's a pretty good month for fights.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Rousey vs. Zingano really intrigues me. Cat is a beast on the feet, and with Ronda gaining more confidence standing we could be in for a fantastic slugfest before someone shoots for a takedown. I hope this fight reaches expectations and highlights that the women can draw at the top of the card as well.


KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

The newly announced match up of Ben Henderson vs. Brandon Thatch is the one I am most anticipating. This is because I am extremely interested to see how Ben looks at welterweight, and to see how Brandon Thatch does against a much better competitor than he's used to facing.


TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR

We were spoiled rotten in January with the quality of fight cards we received; February is a crash back to reality. With the cancellation of Weidman vs Belfort at UFC 184 the card isn't exactly mouth watering outside of Ronda Rousey vs. Cat Zingano.

I really like next weekend's match up between Benson Henderson and Brandon Thatch; with the style of both fighters we should be in for a treat. I'm also intrigued to see how Henderson fairs at welterweight. He's a very big lightweight and cuts a lot of weight, so the extra 15 lbs. he won't have to cut can surely only help him.

He's facing one of the most exciting fighters in the welterweight division in Thatch, whose wins have all come within the first round. Fighting Henderson will be a true indicator of where he is, and possibly what he might become, especially if he can stop him within the first round.