Barnett (left) and Nelson (right) duel in the main fight of UFC FN 75. Photo: Disclosure
This Saturday night (26th), early Sunday in Japan, the UFC returns to one of the most important places in the history of world MMA. UFC Fight Night 75 will be held at the legendary Saitama Super Arena, an event that immortalized several stars and hosted historic fights at the now-defunct PRIDE event.
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However, the UFC put together a very discreet card for the attraction. The event, which will have ten fights on its schedule, is full of local fighters, with its two main fights featuring athletes who, in a way, left their mark on the old Japanese event.
Starting with Josh Barnett, who will be in the main fight of UFC FN 75 against Roy Nelson. The “Warmaster”, formerly known as the “Baby-faced Assassin”, achieved important achievements on Japanese soil, such as when he overcame Mark Hunt e Rodrigo Minotauro at the Saitama Super Arena itself to reach the final of the Absolute GP in 2006.
This time, the timing is different for Barnett. Already a veteran, at 37 years old, the American has been away from the Octagon since December 2008, when he lost quickly to Travis Browne. Barnett hopes to show that he still has sharp techniques to try and, who knows, get back to the top of the heavyweight division.
Nelson, on the other hand, is not going through a better moment than his rival. The chubby fighter has suffered four defeats in his last five fights, including a knockout suffered by Mark Hunt on Ultimate's last visit to Japan, in September last year. Both Nelson and Barnett hope to turn things around and shake off the bad phase, which could be devastating for the defeated athlete.
Mousasi looking for his third straight victory
In the second most important fight of the night, Gegard Mousasi He has his sights set on winning for the third time in a row in Ultimate. He, who also worked in Japanese organizations, with PRIDE and DREAM, believes that a triumph over Uriah Hall could put him closer to the top of the middleweight division.
Hall, who gained fame on TUF 17 for his devastating knockouts, has been on a positive run of results, with three wins and one loss in his last four appearances in the Octagon. However, it is undeniable that, this time, he will face a much greater challenge compared to what he had in Ultimate. A victory against Mousasi would be surprising, but it would certainly put Hall in a prominent position in the category.
Brandão is the only Brazilian at the event
D. Brandão (photo) is the only Brazilian at UFC FN 75. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
The rest of the card does not feature names known to the general public. Kyoji Horiguchi will return to the octagon after failing to displace himself Demetrious Johnson for the organization's flyweight belt, in front of Chico Camus; Veteran bantamweight Takeya Mizugaki faces George Roop.
The only Brazilian at UFC FN 75 will be Diego Brandao. Winner of TUF 14 in the United States, the athlete is trying to win for the second time in a row inside the octagon, as he comes off a victory over Jimy Hettes in April. Before that, Brandão had been defeated by Conor McGregor e Dustin poirier.
Check out the UFC FN 75 technical sheet below:
DATE AND TIME: 26/09/2015, from 20:25 pm (Brasília time)
PLACE: Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan
STREAMING: Combat Channel
MAIN CARD
Heavy: Josh Barnett x Roy Nelson
Medium: Gegard Mousasi x Uriah Hall
Flies: Kyoji Horiguchi x Chico Camus
Roosters: Takeya Mizugaki x George Roop
Feathers: Kasunori Kikuno x Diego Brandao
Feathers: Mizuto Hirota x Teruto Ishihara
PRELIMINARY CARD
Welterweights: Keita Nakamura x li jingliang
Mild: Nick Hein x Yusuke Kasuya
Mild: Naoyuki Kotani x Kajan Johnson
Meo-mids: Shinsho Anzai x Roger Zapata
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