Written by Scott Swerbinsky

---

Live tonight from Chicago, the Ultimate Fighting Championship brings us their second card to air on Fox. They have two great fights that will determine who is next in line for title shots in both the light heavyweight division and also the middleweight division. Two pay per view caliber contests, live on free TV, not much to dislike about that.

The main event will be former title holder Rashad Evans taking on undefeated top prospect Phil Davis. Both fighters have very similar backgrounds, great wrestling pedigree and striking that improves every time they step foot into the octagon.

Evans has had a bad run with injuries and has only fought three times in the last two years. He has defeated Rampage Jackson, Tito Ortiz, and Thiago Silva in that time frame and looked great in all of those fights. Octagon rust is my biggest concern against a guy in Davis who has an awesome gas tank.  Evans is known for his condition, that stemming from his wrestling background.

For Davis, this is a huge step up and a fight that can get him national attention. A win over Rashad and a pending title shot could do wonders for “Mr. Wonderful.” He is a very likeable guy outside of the cage and there isn’t much to dislike when it comes to his skill set.

A lot of so call experts are thinking this fight is going to turn into a wrestling match and end up a snoozer. I don’t see it that way. Evans and Davis have good hands and striking ability and their wrestling should be a wash.  Davis will have nice reach advantage and can try to use that as his primary weapon.  I look for the experience of Evans to be critical and lead Rashad to victory. I like both fighters a lot and think the action in this one will surprise many fans.

The co main event is between two fighters that fans love to hate, Michael Bisping and Chael Sonnen. This is another bout between two fighters I really like because of what they do outside of the cage. They sell their fights and get fans fired up to tune into the action.

Michael Bisping has been hated by the American fans for a long time because of his brash attitude that started back on The Ultimate Fighter reality show back in 2006. Since then Bisping is 11-3 inside the octagon and been in with top flight competition. His three losses are against Dan Henderson, Rashad Evans, and Wanderlei Silva. With a win over Sonnen tonight, he’ll be in line for his first ever title shot.

Chael Sonnen came within a minute of defeating Anderson Silva and being crowned the middleweight champion of the world. Sonnen dominated for four plus rounds but found himself caught in a triangle choke and was forced to tap with a minute left in the contest.

Sonnen can get the rematch he has wanted since that loss on August 7, 2010 if he can defeat Michael Bisping tonight. I think the fight is going to be a lot harder than the oddsmakers do.

Sonnen clearly has the wrestling advantage and will look for takedowns immediately and plan to use his ground and pound. Bisping needs this fight to stay standing if he wants to win.  I think Sonnen will score takedowns at will and pull of the victory. That will line up a rematch with Anderson Silva, and that’s a fight that will be great for the sport.

Full fight card:

MAIN CARD (FOX)

• Phil Davis vs. Rashad Evans
• Michael Bisping vs. Chael Sonnen
• Demian Maia vs. Chris Weidman

PRELIMINARY CARD (FUEL TV)

• Evan Dunham vs. Nik Lentz
• Michael Johnson vs. Shane Roller
• Jon Olav Einemo vs. Mike Russow
• George Roop vs. Cub Swanson
• Charles Oliveira vs. Eric Wisely
• Joey Beltran vs. Lavar Johnson

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)

• Chris Camozzi vs. Dustin Jacoby

The fact that the UFC is on FOX is great for the sport. Tonight’s card will hopefully bring more eyes to watch what to me is clearly the fastest growing sport in the world. For me, it’s also the most entertaining. Every fight can be seen on Facebook, FuelTV, or Fox and that is something I absolutely love. If you’re on the fence about mixed martial arts, tune in tonight and give it a shot. You won’t regret it.