A card literally packed full of must see bouts, UFC 83 in Montreal Canada, on the 19th April, promises to be a truly memorable night for all fight fans. Not just for the much hyped title clash but too for its many fights that could change the shape of the divisions in the UFC.

Georges St. Pierre Vs. Matt Serra - Main Event - Undisputed Welterweight Title Bout

There is not much to say about this that most MMA fans haven't already realised themselves. Georges-St-Pierre is without argument a top five, pound for pound fighter in the world, Serra is not. Yet Serra owns a convincing TKO victory against GSP near a year ago last April at UFC69.

WHY?

How one of the most ruthless athletes in the sport can be defeated by a man whose never truly looked convincing inside the octagon, losing four of his ten UFC bouts stringing together only two consecutive victories in the process, baffles me.

Even through his stint in the Ultimate Fighter 4: The Comeback reality show Serra refused to excel in the competition. Although winning, he grounded out unconvincing decisions in all rounds of the show, including the Finale. To me (as well as his stint in Series 5 of the show as a coach), proved that Serra is a ar better mentor, and teacher than he is fighter, much in the same light as Jorge Gurgel. In truth I was one of the fans who was sceptical of the Ultimate Fighter 4 winners, as they deserved a title fight far less then several other competitors in their respective divisions, like Jon Fitch and Karo Parisyan to name a few.
 
However the show did aid the careers of fighters like Patrick Cote who has been able to put a three fight win streak together since the shows end, and too in the case of Serra who was able to clinch the title from GSP. The problem with the winners of Ultimate Fighter 4 however is they lack the inexperienced vulnerability, the unhinged aggression of fighters like Forrest Griffin and Joe Stevenson (both products of earlier shows) that makes them loved by UFC fans. This is why, in my opinion, when the underdog won at UFC69, I was unsatisfied, truth be told, Serra is not a champion the UFC can hold up in ore. I look to UFC 83 to restore some balance in the world of mixed Martial Arts.

Serra is yet to lose since the shows conclusion and with another win against GSP at UFC 83 could prove to all doubters, like myself, that he is indeed a top welterweight in the world. In reality for Serra to convince me of his championship capabilities, I would have to see him display a beautiful array of jiu-jitsu, outworking GSP on the ground and submitting him in style. However it must be noted that Matt has failed to successfully use his highly touted ground game against any top competitors within the octagon, so it seems my money is firmly stacked against Serra in Montreal.

Serra isn't fighting the same person as when he won the title back in April 07. GSP, in my opinion, and probably Serra’s to if you've seen his post fight celebration, thought ‘Rush’ was going to walk the fight, with the same ease Anderson Silva had against Travis Lutter in the corresponding bout. To me, GSP loses a mental game, not a physical one when he is defeated. His loss to Hughes, as GSP admitted later, was a matter of intimidation, you can see in the way he approached the fight that he felt awkward and tentative. Likewise with his loss to Serra, his motions weren’t fluid, they were relax and arrogant, movements of a man who thinks he’s in for an easy fight.

In Canada Serra faces a different kind of mentality from St Pierre with focus and intensity in the knowledge that he will beat Matt Serra, reclaim ‘his’ belt and avenge his only other loss in MMA. The difference being GSP now has a point to prove. With him focused, ready and on form there is not a 'terror' in the world that could stop him from getting the welterweight crown back, Serra has no stand-out advantage in this fight, GSP could win standing, on the ground, or off his back.

In Serra’s shoes, he has two options, 1. Push, press and give GSP no time to breathe (Forrest Griffin ala Shogun Rua) praying to God he doesn’t get caught or 2. Take him down and hold him there for dear life, working short elbows and punches, trying to find Submission to which is is attributed an excellent ground game. But on-song, GSP is fast, agile, ruthless and almost unstoppable.

GSP TKO round one

Rich Franklin Vs. Travis Lutter

Quoting Michael Bisping, "Rich has somehow got to deal with the fact that he is currently second best in a tough division"

Rich is a fantastic fighter and one I have huge respect for, his run up prior to the Anderson Silva fights was remarkable beating a who’s who of great fighters like David Loiseau, Nate Quarry and Evan Tanner twice. However sadly Silva decided to compete in the middleweight division of the UFC and he is just another level of fighter to those around him at the moment. Furthermore even the biggest Franklin fan can't provide much of an argument for a Franklin-Silva 3 at the moment, yet alone a victory for Rich, with the first two barely making it out of the first round.

With that said Franklin had two options, move to light heavyweight (which he had done with good results when defeating Ken Shamrock in 2005) or consolidate himself as the 2nd best middleweight in the world, which is what it seems, he has decided to do. With wins over Okami and Macdonald already, and with a win against Lutter at UFC83, Franklin would be a long way into firmly establishing this goal. However his job would in no way be complete, with Henderson and Bisping, to name a few, beginning to make noise in the division. Its no easy feat for Franklin, but he could continue making a living and cementing his place in UFC history. However as an athlete, I would be shocked if Franklin could cope with being 2nd best to anyone, winning fights, but not having any recognition, no belt to show for it.

I for one wish him the best, as he truly was a great champion. For now, he should put all those questions, if he can, to the back of his mind as Lutter, although not a challenger for the belt, is no walkover, and will take some beating. If Lutter can take the fight to the ground and work his jiu-jitsu then he has a possible avenue for victory. However, I believe, for Lutter to win the fight Franklin, must not be right mentally, all of which must be playing on his mind constantly. As well as the fact that Silva has finished Lutter in emphatic style recently, will this play on Franklin’s mind? Will he rush for a photo finish?

Franklin on his game, I think is just to much for Lutter standing, and too big for Lutter to keep on the mat.

Franklin working a convincing well worked 3 - round decision

Nate Quarry Vs. Kalib Starnes

This is a fight that I was delighted to see on the televised card. It's a fight of huge excitement with out much media propaganda. Both fighters went through the Ultimate Fighter system with big expectation, both falling short, rather disappointingly. Quarry with a severe knee injury, taking it quite heavily on the show and Kalib with a verbal tap out in a semi - final fight against Kendall Grove, due to bruised ribs, seemingly unaffected by the whole experience. Both fighters still have huge potential in the middleweight division, but the difference being what it means to them, in truth therefore only one will succeed and move on in the division.

Kalib to me both in the show and in most of his fights with the organization has failed to show much passion to win a fight via any means (in his fight with Chris Leben especially as he looked happy to walk through the fight holding Leben down) and instead he seemed happier to pick up the paycheck. I think with the passion and fire, Kalib could string several wins together inside the cage, but does he have it.
 
Starnes also seems to have shockingly poor power in his hands, which was embarrassingly portrayed in his last fight against Alan Belcher, as a point came where Belcher dropped his hands, allowing punches from Kalib to reign in on him with little if, any effect. His weakness in his hands will prove costly against bigger, better opponents in the division, if he plans to get any of them to the ground where he is strongest, as the modern structure of the sport dictates, takedowns are only successful with good step-up’s with the hands.

Quarry on the contrary has looked very good in all of his fights bar the bout with Franklin (with the highlight reel KO) conveying improved, accurate stand-up and a firm ground game. His recent victory over Pete Sell shows even into the third round he holds heavy power in his hands. Kalib needs to step it up a few notches to contest with Quarry in this fight, Nate has all the passion, blood and guts when he steps into the octagon and is willing to take a punch to give one, whether or not I can say the same about Kalib is another question, we will have to wait and see.

Quarry TKO 3rd round

Michael Bisping Vs. Charles McCarthy

As a proud Brit myself this fight is the one I’m most eagerly anticipating at UFC 83, the debut of "The Count" in the middleweight division.

I have huge hopes for Bisping at this weight and although I don't believe he is a title contender yet, with a few wins under his belt he could well be, and possibly prove to be the most logical, consistent and firm challenger to take Anderson Silva out of the second round.

Bisping is strong, fit, and smart, although occasionally hot-headed inside the octagon, and call me biased (which maybe I am) but I for one believe if all goes well, we could be looking at the next champion. Bisping's last two fights at light-heavyweight have come by way of controversial split decisions, and whether he won or lost, both fights were too close for Bisping to firmly establish himself as a top five of light-heavyweight, but the fact that he competed without ever looking close to being finished against Matt Hamill and Rashad Evans, two huge light-heavies, both of which, I think, in a few years will progress into the top of their division, is extremely impressive.

To me, Bisping was far superior to Hamill and Rashad techniqually on the feet, and was too, capable of having success both on the top and bottom on the ground. However he simply wasn't big enough to both press the action on the feet (shown decisively in the Hamill fight, as Hamill was able to almost push his way through punches) and his inability to be mobile enough on the ground to both submit or get to the feet quickly (shown in the Rashad fight, in the vital third round).

But as a middleweight these slight problems, and they are slight with to split-decisions, 'should' vanish, Bisping should be a crisp, strong, agile and athletic. ‘The Count’ we see at UFC 83, should be by all means the best fans have ever seen. However just as we saw with Mike Swick's move down recently to welterweight its not all laughs and giggles, moving down doesn’t bring guaranteed success, Bisping must understand, as Swick did after his fight, that it may take time for him to adjust to the new style in which he must fight, and the new capabilities he and his opponents may have. So whether or not we see the most convincing Bisping in Canada for British MMA lets hope he flies the flag with a big W.

This fight is great for McCarthy; he has little to lose, and much to gain. McCarthy is a make-weight in the division at the moment, yet with one victory against a name like Bisping, he could soar himself within close range of middleweight title contention, and just as Jason Macdonald did with wins over Ed Herman and Chris Leban prove his worth in a tough division, even though he has shown little to provide much evidence of success apart from a round 1 victory against the incapable Gideon Ray.

McCarthy is able on the ground and should provided an able challenge for Bisping in his opener. However being British and living in an ideal world lets hope Bisping leaves McCarthy out for ‘the count’ with his first KO inside the octagon.

Ideal world Bisping KO round 1, realistically TKO round 2.

Mac Danzig Vs. Mark Bocek

In Danzig the UFC has, most probably, the best well-readied Ultimate Fighter winner. Danzig is experienced to the point of appearing in PRIDE and showed in his UFC debut against Tommy Speer that he was both hugely intelligent, and un-phased by the crowds of the UFC, and that was at welterweight! I can’t wait to see what Danzig can do to people his own size and ability, and I'm sure he will progress high up into the packed division.

To me, Bocek's chances are slim-to-none although a skilled jiu-jitsu fighter, attempts of pressing and over-whelming an overly confident fighter seem banished with Danzig's smarts, and I just can't see Mac becoming over-turned by someone as one-dimensional as Bocek. In all honesty this fight seems to serve the sole purpose of building a reputation for Danzig and if a stepping-stone's what Danzig need it is what he gets. To tell the truth I’m just excited to see him fight, and if the many event can serve any message to Mac its that upsets happen

Round 1, rear naked joke victory for Bocek…kidding, Danzig

Joe Doerkson Vs. Jason Macdonald

This fight does little to benefit either fighter, apart from placing them highier than the other in the rankings. Macdonald has proven skilful and successful in the lower echelons of the division but has failed to step up, much like Josh Burkman at welterweight, to another level with losses to Okami and Franklin recently.

Both fighters will be looking to get back on the winning trail, which is most important, and hopefully start building momentum from UFC 83.

Verdict being Macdonald in round 2 via choke

Alan Belcher Vs. Jason Day

Strange to see Belcher on the under-card after two convincing wins inside the octagon. Maybe like me, Dana has got tired of his unheeded confidence. Like a schoolyard bully Belcher barrades those worse, yet is silenced by those better. I believe heavily in the, if you have to talk smack, do it once you’ve proved your worth, Belcher clearly does not.

However he has talent and I see a stroll through victory for Belcher when he meets the unknown Jason Day.

Round 1 TKO Belcher

Ed Herman Vs. Demian Maia

Funnily enough I see a very tough fight for Herman. This is his biggest test since the loss to Macdonald, and for Maia it’s simply his biggest test.

Again surprised to see Herman on the under-card, I don't believe he has ever been in a boring fight inside the UFC, and I believe with three firm wins in a row Herman maybe deserved a spot on the main card, but who to replace, that’s the beauty of it, too many great fights.

Herman seems to have found out how to win inside the octagon, and needs to be tested again, it will be interesting to see how Maia challenges ‘Short fuse’ as he himself is yet to be pushed inside the cage, its set to be a very interesting fight.

Ed handing Demian his first loss, via triangle choke in the second

Rich Clementi Vs. Sam Stout

This seems quite the intriguing fight. Clementi looked good against Guillard at UFC79 and will be looking for his third straight win inside the octagon against a fighter yet to reach his potential. Stout although both winning and losing fights in the UFC has yet to show to fans his true colours that would draw the matchmaker’s eye.

Justifiably on the under card, it will still be an interesting fight where hopefully we will see some leather fly as the fighters try and prove their worth. Sadly I don't think Stout has it, Clementi is on a role.

Unanimous decision victory for Clementi.

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