...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
The booking of Brian Stann vs. Wanderlei Silva for UFC on Fuel 8 in Japan came as a bit of a surprise on Wednesday night. It was a bit of an out-of-nowhere booking, but even more curious was that it will take place in the light heavyweight division.
Both fighters have been at 185 lbs. for their last several fights, and so the move up to 205 lbs. suggests a shift for each of them. However, Stann explained on Twitter that this is a one-time circumstantial move back up to light heavyweight.
"I am not moving to LHW, just one fight," Stann explained. "Couldn't find a matchup at 185, everyone is matched up or hurt in top ten & [Wanderlei] doesnt want to cut."
The fight takes place on March 3 in Japan, airing in the U.S. on March 2 due to the time difference.
Penick's Analysis: This is essentially a middleweight bout between fighters who won't be forced to cut any weight. Stann's striking abilities are going to give him the edge here, as he's shown some excellent power at middleweight, and has only run into trouble against fighters who could take him down, or hang with his power on the feet as Michael Bisping was able to do. Silva doesn't have the chin to do that, and Stann's capable of taking a shot from him, so Stann's going to be the favorite in this one in March.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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