FIGHT PREVIEW: UFC 165

The UFC drops down in Ontario s capital again this Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre and brings two titles that are sure to excite the fans. There is plenty of Canadian talent on the undercard that should bring some pride to the great white north.

Jon Jones Vs Alexander Gustafsson

Jon Jones puts his 205 title on the line when he faces Swedish import Alexander Gustafsson. This will be the fist time that the champ will have to face someone who is as tall as him and has a similar reach as Jones. Jones reach advantage has seen him make great fighters look not so great, so the question is will he employ a stand up strategy against Gustafsson. Who has the better striking? Its a close call on who has the more polished striking in the main event, but Jones does bring a more deserve arsenal to the table. Jones has a clear advantage in the wrestling department, but he seldom takes his opponents down. I think Jones is the superior athlete and will win this fight were ever it goes. I see it going to the distance and Bones Jones remaining the best at 205 pounds.

Renan Barao vs Eddie Wineland

The interim bantamweight title is on the line in the co-main event as champion Dominick Cruz is still sidelined with injury. Interm champion Renan Barao looks to defend his title for the second time against former WEC featherweight champ Eddie Wineland. Barao has looked flawless in his UFC and WEC career so far but Wineland has been impressive in his last two bouts against Brad Pickett and Scott Jorgensen. Barao will likely take this bout with a combination of his high level muay thai and jiu jitsu skills. I see Barao getting the finish in the 3rd.

Brendan Schaub vs Matt Mitrione

Heavyweights are in action as Ultimate Fighter alumnus Brendan Schaub takes on fellow castrate Matt Mitrione. Both fighters have improved tremendously since there time on the Ultimate fighter and have developed well rounded skill sets. If Mitrione can keep it it on the feet he has a good chance of winning the fight. Schaub seems more comfortable on the ground and will likely try to get the fight to the mats and look to ground out a decision. I think Mitrione is going to get the KO in this fight, in the first round.

Costa Philippou vs Francis Carmont

Two big athletic middle weights are looking to get to the top of there division, and the winner of this fight will be close to the top of the division. Costa has the better striking and will likely win a stand up war by KO. Carmont is a big and athletic middleweight who is likely to look for the take down and ground fight. Can Carmont take down Phillippou? He can and is likely to get it to the mat at some point, but I see Costa being able to get back to his feet and get the KO.

Pat Healy vs Khabib Nurmagomedev

Top light weights are in action in the opening bout of the main card as Pat Healy takes on Russian fighter Khabib Nurmagomdev. Healys last fight saw him dominate top contender Jim Miller, while Khabib smothered Abel Trujillo to death in his last bout. It will be interesting to see who dominates the grappling portion of this fight as they are both very good at what they do. This fight could down as a stinker and hugging contest, but I am very interested to see how it plays out. Not sure who takes this one.

Also on the card are Canadians Mike Ricci, Ivan Menjivar, Chris Clements, Mitch Gagnon, John Makdessi, Jesse Ronson, and Roland Delorme. Lets go Canucks!!!!

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