By Dwight Wakabayashi
UFC Macao: Franklin vs. Le set to go this Saturday and is the sixth show for the UFC on FUEL TV, which has offered fans some very intriguing and relevant fights, all on free TV.
With that in mind let’s take a look at the best five fights from the first five FUEL TV events.
Watch UFC Macao: Franklin vs. Le Saturday on Sportsnet ONE starting at 9 a.m. ET. Also, watch live preliminary fights on Sportsnet.ca starting at 7:40 a.m. ET.
TOP 5 UFC ON FUEL TV FIGHTS
5. Brad Pickett vs. Damacio Page – UFC on FUEL TV 2: Gustafsson vs. Silva
This one saw two top-five bantamweight fighters trying to stay in contention. In typical Pickett fight fashion, it was fast-paced, electric and had a bit of everything before all was said and done in the UFC’s first trip to Sweden. Both fighters landed big shots and had each other wobbled a few times before Pickett found the choke finish near the end of the second round.
4. Igor Prokrajac vs. Fabio Maldonado – UFC on FUEL TV 3: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier
We have all been incredibly impressed with what Fabio Maldonado brings when he fights and in this one, he had a willing and able dance partner in Igor Pokrajac. These two light heavyweights threw everything they had at each other with force and both men were still left standing. Many have debated who actually should have won this war but Prokrajac took the decision in the end.
3. Chris Weidman vs. Mark Munoz – UFC on FUEL TV 4: Weidman vs. Munoz
It’s not really the battle that lands this one on the list, it’s more the awe of the skill and crispness put forth by Weidman. This is the beauty of a show like this. Fans and young fighters out there get to witness highly skilled athletes at their best. Weidman gave a lesson in counter striking and it was a coming out party for him when he landed that perfect counter elbow right on Munoz’ button in a finish not often seen on a pay-per-view.
2. Diego Sanchez vs. Jake Ellenberger – UFC on FUEL TV 1: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger
Diego Sanchez has given us some great moments in the UFC and this fight with rising star Ellenberger was no different. Ellenberger was more than game and capable as he beat up Sanchez for the first two rounds, emptying his gas tank in the process. That enabled the survivor Sanchez to come back in third and thrill the fans with his determination. It was just a bit too little too late for Sanchez and Ellenberger stamped his place in the welterweight contenders with a decision win.
1. Chan Sung Jung vs. Dustin Poirier – UFC on FUEL TV 3: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier
Both featherweights knew going in that a win here would get them close to a shot at Jose Aldo and they went after it with skill right away. It didn’t matter where this fight went both guys were in tight and pulling out all the stops. The Zombie got the upper hand early, and had Poirier in trouble at the end of the second round. But Poirier responded in the third before Jung dropped Poirier with an uppercut, knee combination before sinking in the finishing D’Arce choke.
Dwight Wakabayashi is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report UFC and regular contributor to Sportsnet.ca’s UFC section. Follow him on Twitter @wakafightermma.
