Chris Wilson vs. Steve Bruno UFC 86 fight booked

by MMAmania.com on May 2, 2008 12:54 PM EDT Comment 19 comments

Chris Wilson (13-4) and Steve Bruno (11-3) will touch gloves in a welterweight prelim bout during the UFC 86: "Jackson vs. Griffin" pay-per-view (PPV) event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 5, according to UFC.com.

chris wilson Wilson was the man who stepped up on short notice to challenge top 170-pound contender, Jon Fitch, at UFC 82: "Pride of a Champion" back in March. He dropped a unanimous decision, however, showed that he is a super tough competitor in the process.

The Team Quest-trained fighter was on a four-fight win streak prior to the loss, including impressive victories over Jay Heiron, Rory Markham and Ray Steinbeis. He was one of the most coveted welterweight free agents before inking a deal with the organization.

steve bruno Bruno is an American Top Team product who will be making his Octagon debut. He has made a name for himself primary competing under the South Korea-based Spirit MC promotion. Bruno was expected to make his Octagon debut last year at UFC Fight Night 10 against Chad Reiner; however, he was forced to withdraw because of a torn rotator cuff.

This will be his first bout since April 2007 ... and it's going to be a tough test. Both Wilson and Bruno have bright futures and a win for either fighter will be big -- there's not a lot of room for error in the extremely competitive UFC welterweight class.

To check out the latest UFC 86 fight card click here.

(Thanks to MMAmania.com contributor "Mr. NC-17" for the assist.)

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LOL, I forgot about that…John Fitch gets a decision from a nobody who took a fight on short notice, and you guys think he’s the guy to fight GSP. Man I can’t wait for BJ to be done with Sherk or Sanchez to win his next fight, at least then we’ll have someone worthy of fighting GSP (yes Fitch beat diego, not the new diego though!)

by kevin on May 2, 2008 1:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So is this Diego 3.0, because he was a “different” person before the fitch fight(version 2.0). He had cleaned himself up and was ready for a quick win over fitch and a title shot. After the fight he was so defeated he talked of dropping to 155… but I COMPLETELY understand how the 3.0 version of Diego would destroy fitch 1.0, maybe if Fitch ever loses I can start calling him 2.0 but it has been 9 straight wins so that hasn’t been necessary yet…

by Arnold on May 2, 2008 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

good points, and I am aware of his record, I just find him kinda machida like (sorry John). I think he deserves a shot, but won’t win!

by kevin on May 2, 2008 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

People like to get on Jon Fitch for grinding out decision. That is not the case. Fitch WANTS to finish his fights. In his 8 UFC fights (all wins) 4 were decisions, and 4 of them were ended early. His best fights in the UFC were actually part of the prelims of UFN’s – they where showing Fitch no love.

His second UFC fight was against Josh Burkman, and this is back when people thought that Burkman was good, and it was before Burkman vs Karo. If you want to watch a SERIOUS beatdown, look up Fitch / Burkman. He straight up looked like an alien by the end of the fight. he had grapefruit size lumps all up on his face, and his skin wasn’t even the correct color. (Burkman took Karo to a decision)

When people talk about the WW division, besides the champ, who is the hottest name out there? Most likely Thiago Alvez. Well, Fitch already beat him, and beat him down. Ending the fight via TKO in the 2nd.

by ViolentMike on May 2, 2008 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

im Sylvia and Fedor Fighter Pay Revealed; Unbelievable Amount of Money
UFC 83 RESULTS, UFC News, MMA News – How Much Will Sylvia & Fedor Make For 7/19 Fight? – MMASCOOPS.COM

“For the 7/19 Fedor Emelianenko vs. Tim Sylvia fight in Dallas, it is believed Emelianenko will earn between $1.5 to $2 million for the match, and Syvlia is getting a $800,000 guarantee, and a $200,000 win bonus.”

by john on May 2, 2008 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

damn! that is impressive! but are the contracts signed for real. you know how finklestein and the boys can be. with this kinda of money being posted it leads me to beleive that it is really gonna happen. the ufc had better re-sign a.a quick and sign him to fight nog. i can see why sylvia left the ufc now. i think sylvia will give fedor a better fight than you do, but i cant wait to see this one. hopefully it is on ppv not just hd-net cuz i wanna see this live. i would pay to see this fight alone!

by b.w. on May 2, 2008 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

BW: Thats all I know. It was a cut n paste job I thought might be woth passing along. If this is true, I aint mad at Big Tim. It would take him like 3 UFC Wins to make that kind of money! You Go BOY! lol

Regardless weather or not I think Tim stands a chance….I am Very Excited (In my Borat Voice) for this fight. DREAM fight writtena all over it and should shut some of the sensless haters up. (Not talking about you though). Matt lindland is also already said to have signed on to fight on this card. No idea who his opponent is yet, but If some of the rumors are true…This card might be the card of the summer. If Fedor fights, you know his brother Aleks is fighting too. They talked about matching him up with Barnett, but Monte Cox has Rothwell signed so Rothwell vs. Aleks could always be an option (not a bad 1 either).

Fingers crossed this isnt another Finklestein job like you said!

by john on May 2, 2008 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

and no one will see the fight live on tv, and this is why this org. will fail. you can’t pay out more than you’re worth! good for Tim, but too bad for Randy. After tim beats fedor, the fedor/ randy fight loses relevance

by kevin on May 2, 2008 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

id say your probably right. if tim does win randy will be left out in the cold. i dont see how they can affford to pay this much either w/out ppv revenue.

by b.w. on May 2, 2008 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

looking forward to seeing wilson fight again. dont know much about bruno so it seems like a showcase fight for wilson.

by b.w. on May 2, 2008 1:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Same here. Cant wait to see Wilson, but I know nothing about Bruno.

Wilson fought his ass off against Fitch and he did better than most people have against Fitch, I like his size and range. I would like to see him fight Hazlett after this, or they can let him destroy Luke Cummo (I am a fan of Cummo’s).

by john on May 2, 2008 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was suprised with Wilson; he seemed to have great take down defence and solid striking. I would love to see him KO Burkman but Bruno should be a good match.

by Arnold on May 2, 2008 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right on Arnold. Wilson’s takedown defense was the most impressive part of his fight with Fitch. His striking looked pretty good. Also, he did a good job, when Fitch finally got the fight to the ground, of controlling Fitch’s posture and minimizing damage. Maybe we’ll see some good things from Wilson in the future.

by RealDrew on May 2, 2008 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Chris Wilson’s going to make a run in the WW division. His size & length are going to give a lot of these guys problems. His striking is great and his BJJ is highly underrated.

by TonyDrip on May 2, 2008 1:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs