Upcoming Card Changes/Additions

As we all know, there are a whole bunch of exciting UFC match cards coming our way very, very soon. We also know that cards aren't always finalised and set in stone in one fell swoop and that they are also subject to any number of changes/additions.

That being said, here are the latest changes/additions to upcoming UFC cards...

Change: Dave Herman vs. Gabriel Gonzaga @ UFC162

UFC162: Silva vs. Weidman was originally slated to have 'the man who claimed brazilian jiu-jitsu didn't work' Dave 'Pee Wee' Herman fight Shane Del Rosario in a 3-round heavyweight matchup. Unfortunately, Del Rosario was injured (not exactly sure how or when it happened though) and has subsequently been ruled out and replaced by 4th Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Gabriel 'Napao' Gonzaga. 

Gonzaga is 3-1 in his last 4 fights, the only loss coming at the hands of Travis 'Hapa' Browne in what was one of the more controversial finishes to a fight we've had so far this year.

Herman is 1-3 in his last 4 fights and is looking to bounce back from consecutive losses to Stefan Struve, Roy Nelson and Minotauro Nogueira.

BLACKZILLA's TIP: With both fighters looking to get back into the 'win' column, you can expect this fight to be exciting and that they'll both be looking to finish this convincingly. Despite, Gonzaga's ground game being on another level in comparison to Herman's, I think Gonzaga will take this by late 1st round KO/TKO.

Addition: Thales Leites vs. Tom Watson @ UFC163

UFC163: Aldo vs. Pettis marks the return to the octagon for Brazilian Thales Leites after a 4 year extended hiatus away from the UFC. Leites boasts a 20-4 professional MMA record with a UFC record of 5-3 and will make his return against fellow middleweight Tom Watson. 

Watson is looking to continue on his winning ways up the middleweight ladder coming off a victory at UFC on Fuel 7 against Stanislav Nedkov while Leites looks to make a triumphant return in front of a home crowd at HSBC Arena in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

BLACKZILLA's TIP: Leites to claim a Split Decision over Watson.

Addition: Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann @ UFC on FS 2

'The Natural Born Killer' vs. 'The Hitman'. Condit and Kampmann are set to face off again, this time as the headliner for the UFC's second card on the new Fox Sports 1 channel. The younger pair fought for the first time in 2009 with Kampmann earning a close split decision victory. 

Four years later and while the fighters are the same, the circumstances are different and the stakes are higher. Both Carlos Condit and Martin Kampmann are coming off losses. Carlos Condit is coming off two decision losses to Johnny Hendricks and UFC Welterweight king Georges St. Pierre. Kampmann on the other hand, is coming off a knockout loss suffered at the hands of the Johnny Hendricks.

BLACKZILLA's TIP: Carlos Condit by early 2nd round KO/TKO.

Addition: Conor McGregor vs. Andy Ogle @ UFC on FS 1

Irish fighter Conor McGregor is set to face British TUF15 alumni Andy Ogle in Boston after being granted the fight as a result of his quick demolition of TUF14 contender Marcus Brimage at UFC on Fuel TV 9.

McGregor isn't the only one coming of an impressive victory as his opponent Ogle is coming off a gutsy decision victory over Josh Grispi at UFC on Fuel TV 7 and will be looking to make another statement against McGregor despite a lot of people favouring the Irishman in this bout.

BLACKZILLA's TIP: I'm gonna go out on a limb and favour the Englishman Andy Ogle to grind out a Split Decision.

Other Additions to the UFC on FS1 card:

- Mike Brown vs. Akira Corassani.

- Nick Ring vs. Urijah Hall.

So there you go... Updates a plenty.

Until Next Time,

Peace!