Matt Riddle (white trunks) is a game young fighter, but he lacks the consistent finishing ability that he will need against Chris Clements. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)
On the heels of one of MMA’s busiest weeks, Zuffa keeps the pressure on with yet another Pay-Per-View card. This time, Brazilian wrecking machine Renan Barao (28-1) will step in for injured champion “The Dominator” Dominick Cruz (19-1) to face “The California Kid” Urijah Faber (26-5) in the night’s main event with both men vying for the Interim UFC Bantamweight Championship. UFC 149: Faber vs. Barao also features the debut of former Bellator middleweight king “Shango” Hector Lombard (31-2) as he puts his 24-fight unbeaten streak on the line against “The Barbarian” Tim Boetsch (15-4). Heavyweight staple Cheick Kongo (17-7-2) will square off with another Bellator stand-out in slugger “The Savage” Shawn Jordan (13-3) in his second UFC effort, and “Bad Boy” Brian Ebersole will return to action just a month after his last fight to face James Head (8-2). Opening the night’s PPV combat is a bout between “The Menace” Chris Clements (11-4) and “Deep Waters” Matt Riddle (6-3). Each man represents a different caste of fighter and each has his own reasons to prove his background is superior. Continue reading »
