Enjoy the fights on Saturday night (and the big game on Sunday), BGOL fam'. Not a fan of quick fights over here, so not sure how Mir-Overeem will play out (given their slides in the past year and change). Hoping for either a definite stoppage or two, or some tough-fought decisions in the title fights @ 135 and 145lbs with BARAO/FABER and ALDO/LAMAS.
Barao has definitely proven himself in the WEC and UFC, and his long-standing winning streak of many years (dating back to pre-WEC). Faber had the 1 fight (loss to Barao in July) in 2012, but came back with a vengeance in 2013 with 4 fights (and wins) and definitely made his case for one of the fighters of the year alongside the likes of guys like Johnson, Belfort, Weidman, and others.
Aldo is still one of the P4P best in the game, and comes from the same gym as his homie Barao. Lamas has quietly proven himself over time and earned his title shot. Hopefully he puts on a good showing and isn't blasted by the champ. Shit ... I wanna see the Lamas show up that did in Jan. 2013 on Fox when he damn near took Erik Koch's head off with the brutal ground & pound. Damn. That shit was mean and vicious, and he won't be wanting to take too, too much of Aldo's boxing & leg kicks/strikes.
The televised prelims start over here on the westcoast at 5pm PST, so gonna be out for the evening with the usual crew & home latenight. I'll check in late-Sat or early-Sun, and enjoy the card, everyone. Always like to read through the UFC card discussion(s). Check the usual websites and MMA podcasts for all the pre- and post-event coverage. So much good coverage out there these days ... everywhere.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_169
http://mmajunkie.com/2014/01/video-ufc-169-weigh-ins-replay/
http://mmajunkie.com/2014/01/ufc-169-weigh-in-photos-an-mmajunkie-image-gallery/
http://mmajunkie.com/2014/01/ufc-169-live-and-official-weigh-in-results/
The full UFC 169 weigh-in results include:
MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)
Renan Barao (135) vs. Urijah Faber (134.5)
Jose Aldo (145) vs. Ricardo Lamas (144.5)
Frank Mir (256.5) vs. Alistair Overeem (257)
Ali Bagautinov (126) vs. John Lineker (127)*
Abel Trujillo (155.5) vs. Jamie Varner (156)
PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX Sports 1, 8 p.m. ET)
John Makdessi (155) vs. Alan Patrick (155.5)
Chris Cariaso (125) vs. Danny Martinez (125.5)
Nick Catone (185.5) vs. Tom Watson (185.5)
Al Iaquinta (155) vs. Kevin Lee (155.5)
PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC Fight Pass, 6:30 p.m. ET)
Andy Enz (184.5) vs. Clint Hester (185.5)
Rashid Magomedov (155) vs. Tony Martin (155.5)
Neil Magny (170.25) vs. Gasan Umalatov (170)
* – Has one hour to make weight
