UFC 132: CRUZ vs FABER II Main Card Preview

This Independence Day weekend the Ultimate Fighting Championship is set to showcase yet another action packed event when they present UFC 132: Cruz vs Faber II on July 2nd. This event will serve great importance for the lighter class titles when the newly minted UFC Bantamweight title will be showcased in the main event in a rematch where the tables are the complete opposite from the original meeting between the two fighters. The co-main event will feature a fan demanded Middleweight bout where two battle tested veterans in the sport are expected to throw down in a bout that could take either or both Fight of the Night/Knockout of the Night. The midway bout will pit two Light Heavyweights in a bout where both are coming in with opposite motivations with one fighting to rebound from his first loss, and the other fighting to save his career and his legacy in the UFC. The second bout on the card will be a Welterweight contender eliminator where the winner moves even closer to possible title shot and the loser meets with an unfortunate set back. The opening bout on the main card will serve some importance to the Lightweight division when a dangerous German kickboxer takes on an always game American wrestler. This event is poised to open the second half of the year with action and set the stage for more events where talent packed cards are becoming the norm.

Main Card Bouts:

Dominick "The Dominator" Cruz (17-1-0) vs "The California Kid" Urijah Faber (25-4-0)

Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva (33-10-1(1)) vs Chris "The Crippler" Leben (25-7-0)

Tito "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" Ortiz (15-8-1) vs Ryan "Darth" Bader (12-1-0)

Carlos "The Natural Born Killer" Condit (26-5-1) vs Dong Hyun "Stun Gun" Kim (14-0-1(1))

Denis Siver (18-7-0) vs "Handsome" Matt Wiman (13-5-0)

(C)Cruz vs Faber (2)

This main event will mark an important moment for both the lighter weight classes when the newly minted UFC Bantamweight title will be the first of the two previous WEC divisions to headline a major UFC event. This bout will pit new UFC Bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz in a rematch with challenger and former WEC Featherweight champion Urijah Faber. The original bout between the two happened more than four years ago where then WEC Featherweight champ Faber successfully defended his title against then undefeated rising star Cruz with a Rnd1 Submission and handed the star his first professional defeat. This bout will see the tables turned as it will be Cruz who looks to defend his own title and stop the hype that follows Faber. Cruz comes into this bout on an eight fight win streak since that lone loss with a Unanimous Decision win over Scott Jorgensen at WEC 53: Henderson vs Pettis where he also became the inaugural UFC Bantamweight champ. Faber is coming in on a two fight win streak with a successful debut fighting at 135lbs and making his UFC debut with a Unanimous Decision win over fellow former WEC champ Eddie Wineland at UFC 128: Shogun vs Jones. The striking advantage will be difficult to pin point with both having their own unique style, though many will choose Cruz as the favorite in the stand up game. Cruz possesses a unique striking style with some of the best footwork in the sport and being one of the most elusive when avoiding takedowns. Faber's striking is random with an emphasis on closing the distance to land powerful shots and set up takedowns. On the ground both are excellent wrestlers, though Faber is considered the higher caliber of the two with a dangerous submission as he combines his wrestling with his Brown belt in BJJ earning him half of his wins by submission. Even with a strong wrestling base, Faber will have to work for a takedown and to close the distance against a more elusive Cruz. The game plan for Cruz will most likely be to stay outside and lunge in to pick at Faber with quick shots and back out as is his style and mix in takedowns. Faber will look to close the distance and cut off Cruz's fast movement so he can land some power shots and shoot for takedowns to plant him where he can be submitted. Both will come in with something to prove against the other with Faber looking to prove that the original win was not a fluke and claim his first UFC title, while Cruz will look to prove that he is a way different fighter compared to the original meeting and defend his title for the first time as a UFC champion.

Silva vs Leben

The co-main event on this card is guaranteed to be a slugfest when one of the most dangerous and feared strikers takes on one of the most exciting brawlers in the sport. In this bout pits two of the sport's biggest fan favorites against each other when former PrideFC Middleweight champ Wanderlei Silva takes on TUF1 alumni and former WEC Middleweight champ Chris Leben. Silva comes in after a long layoff since his successful Middleweight debut with a win over TUF3 winner Michael Bisping at UFC 110: Nogueira vs Velasquez sixteen months ago. Leben comes in after a loss that snapped a three fight winning streak when he was on the receiving end of a Rnd1 TKO to for WEC Light Heavyweight champ Brian Stann at UFC 125: Resolution. Fans had been demanding this bout since Leben subbed in for an injured Silva to fight Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 116: Lesnar vs Carwin where he earned a come from behind Rnd3 Submission win and called for an opportunity to coach opposite against Silva on a season of TUF. Both are recognized as some of the most exciting fighters in the sport with their own styles when it comes to striking. Silva possesses a dangerous striking arsenal with Muay Thai skills that have earned twenty-three of his wins via (T)KO and is always hunting for the knockout win and is seen as the favorite to win in this bout. Leben is more of a brawler with developing kickboxing skills is also always looking for a knockout having earned thirteen of his wins via (T)KO. While both are known as headhunters, they are both vulnerable to being knocked out themselves. Silva is always confident in his hands and tends to close the distance offensively and can sometimes let down his guard to easily. Leben has had back-&-forth success and failure as he likes to close the distance to swing wildly sometimes and counts on his opponent backing away and not standing to trade. As Stann proved against Leben, the best way to answer his brawling style is to either stand your ground to block and trade back, or push back with your own aggression. Should the fight go to the ground, Silva is seen as the overall favorite with a Black belt in BJJ that he has always possessed, though has always relied on his knockout power and prefers to always stay standing. Leben does possess some skills on the ground and is viewed as underrated my many and relies on his own BJJ skills as a defensive measure. This bout has some of the greatest potential to earn Fight/Knockout of the Night, and even Fight/Knockout of the Year.

Ortiz vs Bader

The midway bout on this card will pit two Light Heavyweights at different points of their career in a match up that is important to both in their own ways. In this important bout former UFC Light Heavyweight champ Tito Ortiz will be fighting to save his career when he takes on TUF8 winner Ryan Bader who will look to rebound strong after his first professional loss. Ortiz comes in on a career low going 0-4-1 in his last five bouts with a Unanimous Decision loss to TUF3 alumni Matt Hamill. Ortiz is fighting to save his career in the UFC having not won a fight since a Rnd1 TKO win over Hal of Famer Ken Shamrock. Bader comes looking to rebound from his first professional loss to then future champion Jon Jones where the winner would get a shot at then champ "Shogun" Rua after Rashad Evans was injured and could not compete. In the striking area, Bader will be the favorite with more crisp technique and more agility. While Ortiz is the veteran, his technique is seen as slowing as he was never considered a great striker to begin with since it was never his strong point. In the grappling area, Bader is also seen as the favorite with his 2x All-American credentials being put on display when he repeatedly took down veteran Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Ortiz was seen as the wrestling powerhouse in the sport when he was champion showcasing his strength and slamming opponents to the canvas, but those same skills have appeared to have faded due to nonstop injuries to his back and being taken down by Hamill who was seen as a lower class wrestler. The game plan for Bader will most likely be to come out strong and strike as well as throw in some takedowns to grind Ortiz with his own style. Ortiz has always been seen as a wrestler whose game plan has always been to take his opponents down and deliver some ground-&-pound to earn the finish or the decision. For Ortiz to win, he will need to prove that his wrestling is still up to par and take the young Bader down, control him, and deliver his signature ground-&-pound. Though it may be seen as unwise, Ortiz has repeatedly claimed that his striking has improved and in his last bout had shown some improvement. The importance of this bout to each fighter will definitely play a factor in the aggression that each of them will display. This is a must win fight for both fighters with each of them looking to make a statement with a win and a good performance.

Condit vs Kim

The second bout on the card will pit two rising Welterweights in a match where the winner moves even closer to contention for the division title. This bout will pit former and final WEC Welterweight champ Carlos Condit against undefeated South Korean Judo ace Dong Hyun Kim. Condit comes into this bout on a three fight win streak with wins over fellow elite Welterweights with a Rnd1 KO over the favorite Dan Hardy at UFC 120: Bisping vs Akiyama. Kim comes into this bout recognized as an undefeated fighter with a strong Unanimous Decision win over dangerous BJJ specialist Nate Diaz at UFC 125: Resolution. Though he is undefeated in record, Kim has a No Contest on his record that was originally a loss via Split Decision to fellow Judo specialist Karo Parisyan, though following the bout Parisyan tested positive for banned pain killers and thus the the NSAC overturned the decision. Both fighters come in making their own claims for contendership status after strong performances, and a win for either would possibly move them in range to fight for the title. The striking advantage in this bout will most likely go to Condit with a dangerous kickboxing and Muay Thai game that combines well with a strong chin as was demonstrated when he and Hardy landed precisely on each others' jaws with left hooks at the same time and Condit with a dangerous kickboxing and Muay Thai game that combines well with a strong chin as was demonstrated when he and Hardy landed precisely on each others' jaws with left hooks at the same time and Condit was the only one standing after. While Kim is no slouch on his feet, he experienced some difficulty with Diaz where he was getting out-struck. The grappling advantage will be seen in favor of Kim with Judo and wrestling game that has helped him take opponents down and either look to control or for the finish with strikes. The game plan for Condit will be to keep the fight standing where he can work his more crisp striking game and pick Kim apart, avoid and defend the takedowns, and be prepared to work off his back and look for submissions. The game plan for Kim will be to close the distance to clinch, take Condit down, and control him from the top en route to a decision or deliver some ground-&-pound. Kim has wanted to showcase what he says is his improving striking skills, but has not strayed from his roots in Judo. The favorite in this fight from the crowd will be Condit in the 4th of July atmosphere, though many see this as an even match-up with either both fighters having a strong chance of leaving with the victory.

Siver vs Wiman

The opening bout on this main card will pit two Lightweights who have been treading through the deep end of the division and are finally on the brink of possibly entering the top fifteen rankings. This bout will pit the always dangerous German kickboxer Denis Siver against the always game American Matt Wiman. Siver comes in on a three fight win streak with a strong and entertaining win over Australian MMA star George Sotiropoulos at UFC 127: Penn vs Fitch. Wiman also comes in on a three fight win streak with the last two coming over TUF6 winner Mac Danzig and a strong Unanimous Decision win over fellow TUF5 alumni Cole Miller at UFC: Fight for the Troops 2. The striking advantage will clearly go the way of Siver with some of the most dangers kickboxing in the Lightweight division. Wiman does possess an improving and underrated striking game, but may be behind Siver's capabilities. The grappling advantage will most likely go the way of Wiman with more experience wrestling and getting the fight to the ground. The grappling advantage for Wiman may be negated though after seeing his improved takedown defense as seen against Sotiropoulos. While the crowd will surely be chanting "U.S.A." in support of Wiman as the American in this bout, but Siver is seen as the overall favorite.

This July is sure to start with a bang with a jam packed event with a title fight in one of the most explosive and entertaining divisions in the sport, a Middleweight brawl, a Light Heavyweight bout pitting a veteran against a young rising star, a Welterweight bout with possible title implications, and a Lightweight bout that is expected to open the PPV with some strong action. Without a doubt wins for every competitor will mark important stepping stones in their career and make some of the loudest statements in MMA. A win for Cruz to defend his title would make an incredible statement solidifying his place as a UFC champion, avenge his only loss that was early in his career and at the same time defeat the longtime face of the lighter class fighters. A win for Faber would finally earn him a title in the UFC like he's always wanted on the biggest stage in MMA, he will have defeated Cruz for a second time and possibly for the last, and jumps back into the spotlight in another weight class. For the fighters in the co-main event, a win is much needed for both and for separate reasons. For Silva, a win would bring him back into relevancy and move him closer to a possible title shot after such a long layoff. A win for Leben is needed to rebound from a loss where his camp claims he was not 100% going into the fight and gets him a victory over a one of the most recognized and experienced veterans in the sport. For the midway bout on the card, a win is one of the most important things in both fighters' careers at this point. For Ortiz, a win would save his career in the UFC and possibly in MMA as well riding a losing streak that most fighters would have been released for by now, and could actually put him back in the hunt for the title with a win over such a talented young fighter. A win for Bader is needed to prove he can rebound from his first professional loss and put him back in the hunt for the title as well as well as earning him a victory over a recognized name and veteran like Ortiz. For the second bout on the card, a win for either Condit or Kim undoubtedly puts the them within range for a shot at the Welterweight title with one or two more wins needed to get there. And for the opening Lightweight bout on the card, a win for one is more may hold more significance than for the other. A win for Siver justifies a demand for him to fight higher caliber opponents in the Lightweight division, which many fans feel he already deserves after defeating Sotiropoulos. While a win for Wiman does not put him anywhere near a title shot, it would continue to prove that he is one of the more underrated fighters in the Lightweight division that fans and UFC brass have looked past. This event has plenty of hype and excitement to live up to with past Independence Day weekend events showcasing some of the most memorable fights in UFC history with UFC 100 and UFC 116: Lesnar vs Carwin previous candidates for Fight Card of the Year.