MMA Monthly Matchups: April

By Dan D. Hallberg

Well, it’s a first for MMA Monthly Matchups: this month, they’re all title fights! That’s right, everyone is coming full force and gold is on the line. Who keeps it and who loses it? Well here we go!

5. Champion Anderson Silva (25-4) v. Damian Maia (12-1), UFC 112, 4/10/10

It’s been nearly a year since pound-for-pound kind Anderson Silva defended his title. Unfortunately for us fans, original and more worthy contender Vitor Belfort had to step out due to injury. That leaves Damian Maia as the winner of the “who gets a title shot” lottery. That doesn’t mean that Maia isn’t a threat, but right now the biggest weakness in his game is his striking and striking defense. Now he’s up against the best striker on the planet. Hard to see this ending in any other way then a decision or TKO for the champ.

4. Champion B.J. Penn (15-5-1) v. Frankie Edgar (11-1), UFC 112, 4/10/10

And the pound-for-pound list makes a second appearance as B.J. Penn takes on up and comer Frankie Edgar. I like Edgar, he’s an impressive kid with good boxing, wrestling, and okay jiu jitsu skills. He’s on the rise and could be Champion some day. Unfortunately April 10th isn’t that day. Edgar on paper is very similar to Kenny Florian, but he does focus more on his boxing. That could help Edgar provided he doesn’t shoot for takedowns. In the end though, it’s B.J. Penn, and he doesn’t lose to people his size. Penn by submission in the championship rounds.

3. Champion Jose Aldo (16-1) v. Urijah Faber (23-3), WEC 48, 4/24/10

WEC is live on pay per view for the first time, and they chose a fantastic card to start with. Time for the biggest star in the WEC to try and reclaim his titled against the fierce Jose Aldo. Faber’s style is weird to say the least and hard to explain. But it doesn’t really matter. The only thing that matters is that Jose Aldo is the baddest man in the WEC. He is 145 pounds of butt-kicking wonder. If he doesn’t destroy Urijah Faber I will be shocked. Knockout, early.

2. Champion Jake Shields (24-4) v. Dan Henderson (25-7), Strikeforce: Nashville, 4/17/10

Jake Shields is a good champion and a great young fighter. A prospect that will eventually get to the UFC and make a real challenge for the belt. The problem is that he’s a welterweight pretending to be a middleweight because Strikeforce’s competition is lowsy. That was until they landed number two middleweight Dan Henderson. Like Shields, Henderson has crossed into different weight classes, except he went up from middleweight rather then down. He even held his own against Big Nogueria. Again, it would be a huge shock if Shields wins this and the only way he could would be if he grinded out a decision, which he won’t do because Henderson is such a great wrestler. This fight will probably be on the feet because of the cancelled wrestling, and Henderson’s huge right will be the deciding factor.

1. Champion Benson Henderson (11-1) v. Donald Cerrone (14-2), WEC 48, 4/24/10

It’s the rematch of last years Fight of the Year, and this time it’s for the real title. This fight could very well go just like the last one, but I don’t think it will. Cerrone has learned that his slow starts have been costing him his decisions, so look for him to come out swinging. This could play into Henderson’s favor. He’s got the reach and moves to play a patient game which will frustrate Cerrone. Henderson has new confidence and has been working hard and even helped B.J. Penn train for Diego Sanchez. Cerrone put on an impressive show in his last fight, but I have to keep with Henderson. The man with the smallest waist in MMA retains his title in a five round thriller.

Dan is a 1L and can be reached at forum@valpo.edu.