The 5 Best Non-UFC Bouts to Watch in the Remainder of 2014
The UFC will be back in fight-fan lives a little more than one week from now, when UFC 179 goes down from Brazil.
The UFC is the leading MMA promotion. Perhaps that's a sentiment you've seen before. If so, you're probably also aware of the many smaller national and regional operations out there, some of which you can also see on that television thing.
As we round the final quarter pole of 2013, here are the five televised MMA fights that are happening outside the UFC, and which most fans should be able to see on their cable TV screens, no matter where they live. No streams, no pay-per-views, just regular old cable for the good old-fashioned boob tube. The fights are ranked from worst-best fight to best-best fight. Please enjoy.
5. Daniel Pineda vs. Leonard Garcia
1 of 5
Date: November 14
Promotion: Legacy FC
Channel: AXSTV Fights
Leonard Garcia isn't going to win Mundials or star in a technical YouTube analysis any time soon. But you know what? He somehow still qualifies as a fighter. And how.
The Texas-born doesn't have a lot in the way of what you'd call technical skills, but the UFC vet one heck of a tough brawler. It's hard not to root for him to get back in the win column after previously winning all of his bouts following his UFC release until a setback in July. But he'll have to do it against Daniel "The Pit" Pineda, another UFC alum looking to make good, and who has a formidable submission game.
4. Desmond Green vs. Miguel Torres
2 of 5
Date: October 31
Promotion: Titan FC
Channel: CBS Sports Network
This one could be quite a nice little chess match.
It wasn't long ago that Miguel Torres was considered one of the very best fighters on the planet, in any weight class. Now, after unsuccessful runs in the UFC and WSOF, the grappling standout and former WEC bantamweight champ will try to win his fourth straight and first under the Titan banner. He will take on wrestler/grinder Des Green, who recently made the finals of Bellator's featherweight tournament.
3. Rousimar Palhares vs. Jon Fitch
3 of 5
Date: December 13
Promotion: World Series of Fighting
Channel: NBC Sports
The redemption tour continues for Jon Fitch, the grinder who was routinely hated on during his time as a UFC contender but is now something of a cause celebre in his attempt to get his career back on track.
Rousimar Palhares, the reigning WSOF welterweight champion, is in the opposite position, finding unpopularity for dirty play which gets in the way of his exciting submissions game.
Classic white hat vs. black hat here, for a lot of casual and hardcore fans alike.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
2. Justin Gaethje vs. Melvin Guillard
4 of 5
Date: November 15
Promotion: World Series of Fighting
Channel: NBC Sports
When they meet for the lightweight title, there will be two very different trajectories at play. Guillard is and probably always will be a fan favorite, the electrifying boxer with every skill who just never put it all together. He rebounded from his UFC release by flattening his first WSOF opponent—but missed weight before the effort. Ah, Melvin.
If he wants to take the belt, there will be no funny business. Justin Gaethje is one of the best lightweights in the world, in any promotion. He has heavy wrestling and heavy boxing. Everything's heavy. But his skills are very sharp. It could be an uphill battle for Guillard, but either way, methinks he'll make it entertaining.
1. Will Brooks vs. Michael Chandler
5 of 5
Date: November 15
Promotion: Bellator
Channel: Spike
This title match is fast becoming a grudge match, as well as a fight between two of the best lightweights in the world.
If you haven't seen their exchange of words yet, do yourself a favor and jump on Twitter sometime. In the meantime, Brooks blends a karate style with a wrestling base that works really well in all phases. Chandler is an explosive athlete and former champ who is looking to regain his mantle as one of best fighters in Bellator, if not beyond.
No way this one won't be not only exciting, but contested at a very high level.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
