Mike Swick vs Ben Saunders UFC 99 fight booked for Germany
by MMAmania.com on Feb 28, 2009 10:27 AM EST
64 comments
Former contestants from different seasons of The Ultimate Fighter, Mike Swick and Ben Saunders, are penciled in to hook 'em up in a welterweight bout at UFC 99 from the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany on June 13, according to FiveOuncesOfPain.com.
Swick is a former middleweight contender who recently made the move down to 170 pounds. He scored a "quick" technical knockout of Jonathan Goulet at UFC Fight Night 16: "Fight for the Troops" back in December 2008. It was the first stoppage for the American Kickboxing Academy standout in more than two years and the first for him as a welterweight.
He is currently undefeated (3-0) in the new division with wins over Goulet, Marcus Davis and Josh Burkman.
Saunders was actually expected to be in action next weekend against Dustin Hazelett at UFC 96 from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 7. However, both fighters had to withdraw from the event because of injuries.
"Berserk" is coming off a lopsided first round ass-kicking of Brandon Wolff at UFC Night 16: "Fight For the Troops" back in December 2008. The former TUF 6 competitor channeled the Muay Thai skills of UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva to totally rout the Hawaiian in his Octagon debut.
It was impressive (and painful) to watch to say the least. Saunders has been perfect (3-0) since his stint on the mixed martial arts reality series, defeating Ryan Thomas at UFC 87: "Seek and Destroy" in August and Dan Barrera via unanimous decision at TUF 6 Finale.
Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more on the developing UFC 99 fight card.
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how i hope that saunders high kicks the shit out of swick.
by tonydanza on Feb 28, 2009 10:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I would have prefered to see Saunders-Hazelett and AJ-Swick. Saunders takes it.
by NameNotRequired on Feb 28, 2009 12:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What’s the deal with Swick’s somewhat demotion in competition? He went from fighting Burkman to Davis to Goulet? then to Saunders? I think Hazelett and Swick should fight and the winner gets a #1 contender match. Let Saunders and AJ go at it…that would be a war!
by Buster Bluth on Feb 28, 2009 12:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hazelett as a #1 Contender??? He lost his only top 10 fight to Kos.
by Arnold on Feb 28, 2009 12:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I hope Saunders knees that shit eating grin right off Swick’s face.
I don’t know what it is about that guy…I can’t stand him. He’s that dorky kinda fighter that really needs to ACT tough.
by Dredg XI on Feb 28, 2009 12:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nobody can stand Mike Swick. I guarantee, he can’t even stand himself.
Fitch/KOS/Swick!! Fight each other already!!! These three guys are really putting a wrench in the gears of WW.
by GodDamnMike on Feb 28, 2009 2:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t have anything bad to say about Swick. He is a pretty decent fighter who can only improve. He s not cocky and doesn’t bad mouth anybody. I always know what it is about someone I dislike, and find comments like I don’t know what it is about him kind of strange. Swick an ok guy with no attitude at all and his post fight analysis of his Marcus Davis fight was the funniest thing I think I ever will read on MMA Mania. I did a search and found it. If you watch his fight with Marcus Davis and then read this afterwards, then I do not see how you cannnot like this guy. See his comments below. Hilarious.
"The last part of the fight was what we call at the gym "Swicking Out"… I actually was trying to get my punches through but he was doing a great job at blocking them so I got creative. I was actually at one point going to sit up and donky kong hammer fist them in but actually changed my mind and stuck to the less effective freestyle swimming technique. Amazingly it looked so much better in my head than how it turned out! You just have to know that in my head I was a ground n pounding machine with brutal power and perfect technique… I guess I am not quite the ninja I think I am sometimes…"
by Ade on Feb 28, 2009 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
don’t like a guy that continuously tries the easy road my friend.. he needs a better fight then saunders win or lose this fight doesn’t help swick at all he needs a guy like rumble johnson,paulo thiago,martin kampman,carlos condit, instead he takes a guy who’s not as well known? sure a couple of the fighters i listed recently fought or are fighting soon but throw your damn name in the mix a little to dana instead of asking for a highrisk/low reward fight
by randy murders on Feb 28, 2009 5:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
C-mon randy murders, AJ? Paulo? AJ is all hype and is still untested. And Paulo pulled an upset out his @ss. Those two arent no different in levels as Sanders. Sanders will be a tough fight for Swick. Kampman/Condit is already booked so who was he supposed to fight? Im sure after this Swick will get a contender.
by JV on Feb 28, 2009 6:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think Saunders is on his way, he’s looking better each fight… I think he’s got a good shot and taking out Swick.
by DAVE A on Mar 1, 2009 1:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Those are good matches. I was so pissed with they canceled Hazelett/Saunders. I met Ben at UFN 17 in Tampa, the guy is pretty damn cool.
I think Swick is a lot better then what people on here give him credit for. I don’t think he is overrated at all. He has a decent record against some pretty tough guys. He could kill AJ.
I don’t have a prediction here. Bens tough but so is Swick. This is a HUGE step up in competition for Ben. He hasn’t fought guys at Swicks level or the guys that Swick has beaten. Remember, Ben was beaten by Tommy Speer before. IF Swick is a dog, I will bet some on him.
by Synyster on Feb 28, 2009 12:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll bet tht Ben comes in as the dog at around +200. I will definitely throw a little down on him. I do like him a lot and think he has a lot of potential….But he is facing a very good fighter in Swick who is not going to leave any big openings or make many mistakes
by fightfan on Feb 28, 2009 12:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Synister, there is NO WAY that Swick comes in as the underdog. He is the more experienced UFC fighter and the bigger, more well known name. I would LOVE to catch Ben at +200. If I had to lay odds right now, I’d say around Swick -180 and Saunders +135
I straight up like Saunders in this fight, so regardless, I’ll be taking him.
by ViolentMike on Feb 28, 2009 4:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
YOU kNow I am TAKING SAUNDERS!!!! iMO, he is one of the most improved fighters in the past year. I Never liked Swick, but I acknowledge that he is tough and skilled. big test for Ben, and I see him passing it with flying colors.
Saunders via decision!
NO matter what the odds are, I betting on Ben.
Great fight! Along with Hardy/Davis….card shaping up nicely!
by john on Feb 28, 2009 5:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
agreed john, i got killa B. what’s the height difference??? i’m imagining ben being way taller and that being a problem for swick but they might be pretty close, i don’t know. someone look it up and tell me cuz i don’t feel like doing the work.
by Crowls on Mar 1, 2009 10:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I would say that Ben has about 3 or 4 Inches on swick (who is also tall).
Within 2 years, Killa B will be challenging for the title! Most improved fighter of the year, IMO!
by john on Mar 1, 2009 11:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
thanks, that sounds about right. Any news on Mamed Khalidov?
by Crowls on Mar 1, 2009 1:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
word john~ i got the same mind-set with this fight..
i feel swick will put up a fight(naturally) cause he is still
a game opponent for ben..
but i have had my eye on killa-b for a while now..
actually(john) u are the one who put me on this kid..
i dont watch the tuf shows~ so when he first fought in the ufc
i didnt know much about him..
all ur break~downs help alot john!! keep up the good work!
ben should be able to take the decision..
depending on how much of a dog ben is?? depends how much i put up..
i think i will end up getting him around +160 or something..
id imagine that u guys who make net~bets are going
to get good odds on this fight..
by stinky~fingers on Mar 1, 2009 1:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks Stinky. From day 1 I just loved this kids mindset. He has always been very strong Mentally, and that is a crucial asset for a fighter to have. Anyone who can smile his way through his first couple of UFC fights is definetly in the right sport!
He has great Height, Reach advantage at welterweight and he knows how to use it very well. His Jeet Kun Do and Muy tai, make him straight Nasty standing. His stand up improvements remind me a lot like Kenny Florians improvements. His ju jitsu is also very good. Kid has a very nice and well rounded skill set…he has a strong mind and he enjoys physical advantages over most of the people he will ever face at welterweight.
We will see him in a 5 round title fight in the UFC eventually. NO DOUBT in my mind about that!
Cant wait to bet on Ben. swick is going down! All ben needs to do is defend the giullotine and he should be alright…He can try and body slam his way out of it like Diego did.
by john on Mar 1, 2009 2:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i can’t imagine Swick applying a guillotine to Ben. Ben’s not gonna shoot on him and with the height advantage, what’s swick gonna do jump into it from the clinch?? totally agree about the mindset. Imagine Ben vs. Mayhem…. two of the happiest guys to be punching each other in the face ever.
by Crowls on Mar 1, 2009 5:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
wow! Mayhem vs. Ben is a crazy thought! lol
by john on Mar 1, 2009 8:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I hope Ben KTFO out of Swick.
He’s boring and… I just hate him..
The SWICKATINE?? I mean really.
You did the easiest Sub in the game twice and suddenly you think it’s named after you?
by ShaiZ on Feb 28, 2009 7:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
didn’t i just tell someone in another thread swick would end up not fighting AJ? HAHA this guy is avoiding tough fights
by randy murders on Feb 28, 2009 12:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Saunders Via Unaimous Desicion
CANT WAIT FOR THIS FIGHT!!!!!
by Josh on Feb 28, 2009 10:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’m pulling for a saunders TKO – swick is going down. He is way overrated.
by ScissorSweep on Feb 28, 2009 10:36 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Swicks one bad mofo when he flicks the switch – he will KILL saunders in the 2nd.
by Insain on Feb 28, 2009 10:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Nice. This is such a sick fight. I’m gonna say Swick by decision in a fight that I would love Saunders to win.
by Budgell on Feb 28, 2009 10:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I really really like this fight. Interesting match-up. Nice test for Ben.
by Wesley Pipes on Feb 28, 2009 11:17 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
a nice step up in competition for saunders.guys got a lot of promise.at ufc 87 i met matt serra and was talking to him, he wouldn’t stop talking about saunders. he was going off on how good he was and how he was gonna be next ww chaamp.
by Bass on Feb 28, 2009 11:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
this is gonna be a crazy fight, i think ben saunders wins by ko.
by it'sT.O.baby!!! on Feb 28, 2009 11:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Great fight! I say Swick by UD!
by Dana's a crossdresser on Feb 28, 2009 11:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
after 9 fights in the UFC he is still fighting mid level talent? seriously? i hope he gets killed.
by Markie on Feb 28, 2009 11:53 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
How about the ALmighty M. Bisping??? He is getting the Kimbo Slice Protection Plan, big time.
After 9 UFC fights, he is finally fighting a well rounded fighter….AND if he wins he gets a title shot? That is some Horseshit.
by fightfan on Feb 28, 2009 1:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t care for Saunders, he strikes me as a douche bag and Swick seems pussified since he fought Okami so I don’t really give a shit who wins this one.
by SHORT_BUS on Feb 28, 2009 12:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Swick all the way!! Saunders is a big bully and i want the small guy to win!!
by RoB on Feb 28, 2009 12:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
anyone else jacked for k1 tonight. so many good fights and allistair is taking on bonjasky
WAR DEMOLITION MAN AND MANHOEF
by Jared on Feb 28, 2009 12:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Don’t get people falsely excited. K-1 is next month on the 28th.
by ViolentMike on Feb 28, 2009 4:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I like the Saunders vs Hazelett better. I’m picking Swick in this fight, but I’m rooting for Saunders.
by DB on Feb 28, 2009 12:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This should be a barnburner!!! Ben is one of those fighters that many dont think too much about. I think he has the potential to be a top 5 WW.
The guy is HUGE for a WW!!! He is, what, 6’ 3" with a solid build. Not like Kendall Grove or Carlos Condit. Not saying you need to have a muscular build. This guy has got skills and the athleticism to be a very dynamic fighter
by fightfan on Feb 28, 2009 12:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Awesome fight! No better match up for either guy. Swick has the bigger name but Saunders has no losses. They both hvae brutal knees and furious pace. I don’t see this going 3 rounds and pick Ben in the upset.
by hatteras on Feb 28, 2009 1:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Great fight! I’m going with Swick by UD!
by Dana's a crossdresser on Feb 28, 2009 1:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
you make me laugh mania thats two in a week ive called before u and you havnt had the decency to post it.maybe i should change my name to john or kevin lol!!!
by scott on Feb 28, 2009 1:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
maybe because mania is a credible news site they don’t wanna risk falsely reporting something.. they don’t post rumors 24/7 they post facts that they have proof of before they say it.. maybe you had a reliable source but they had to check into it themselves before posting it, john and kevin say things before mania posts it as well it takes them a week or 2 to finally post it..
by randy murders on Feb 28, 2009 5:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Swick is the Man! Expect big things from him in the near future.
by ja434650 on Feb 28, 2009 2:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If Swick wins this fight, expect Dana White to favourly leap-frog him over KOS and Fitch.
by GodDamnMike on Feb 28, 2009 2:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m picking Swick in this one…Saunders, although I like the dude a lot, is taking a big step up in competition. I’m not sure I’ve seen anything that says Saunders can win this. This isn’t a knock on Saunders, it’s just his competition hasn’t been that impressive. He’s still a little green to pull this off.
by MM_Eh on Feb 28, 2009 2:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
these guys look alot alike. I think Swick taked is via UD.
by belfort_fan on Feb 28, 2009 2:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It’s funny, he went from calling out Alves, to fighting Saunders. I want Saunders to win, I just somehow think slime-ball Swick will win. Tough fight to call…..but at the end of the day, Mike Swick is a goof.
by GodDamnMike on Feb 28, 2009 2:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
all the hate for Mike Swick , what gives? i have a pretty good douche-o-meter and alot of season 1 guys make it go crazy but Swick was never one of them. ya he does seem kind of like a bit of a loser socially but who gives a crap about that? he’s a pretty good fighter and his style for most of his fights is exciting. you guys really ask too much outta some fighters. Ben has an ego on him, does that make him a goof (child molester where i come from) haha hardly. I hope Ben wins cuz i like his style alot i think he is very dynamic but im bettin Swick comes out swinging after he gets a punch or 2. Swick by KO halfway thru Round 2.
by JakeAnd on Feb 28, 2009 3:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ben saunders is good this should be an exiting fight
by The Philicutioner on Feb 28, 2009 3:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
you guys that think Saunder is gonna win must me high. Swick is gonna clobber him.
by Bill Maher on Feb 28, 2009 3:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
This is going to be one helluva fight!!
I hope they BOTH win! Issat possible? Seriously, I don’t have a problem with either guy taking this one as I think either guy is the other’s equal and can take the fight in any direction.
I want Swick to win via UD as both guys are terrific.
Jay K.
by Jay K. on Feb 28, 2009 3:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Two of my favorite fighters. This should be a great fight. Swick might have too much experience and I see him winning a decision.
by BeerMan on Feb 28, 2009 4:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Man this card looks damn good so far y is germany getting treated so well vs the other uropa fightcards well this 1 might do good on ppv.
A,or de rey
by king criminales amor de rey on Feb 28, 2009 4:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Good fight cant wait to see Ben take swick out!!!
by Spyder on Feb 28, 2009 5:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I was hoping this fight was going to happen after seeing Saunders’ last fight. Good match up and winner should be in top contender spot.
However, one guy I keep thinking about is Fitch. Who is next for him? Has this been decided? He is still the number one contender after Alves … and only because he has already had a shot and Alves has been knocking off some big names. Fitch could maybe get the winner of Kampmann and Conduit.
by DownUnder on Feb 28, 2009 5:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Agree that this is going to be a great matchup but I don’t think the winner should be top contender?
by Beaver on Feb 28, 2009 5:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
agreed Ben Saunders and Anthony Johnson would be dynamite!
by Randy for Couture on Mar 1, 2009 7:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Truely I always dugg Mike Swick, granted “The swickatine” is pretty arrogant a name for a normal sub, But I digg Ben Saunders too man, this kid is coming up, DEFINATELY one of the fastest improving fighters of recent times, his Clinch & Muay Thai ARE CRUSHING! Swick has had better opposition, and is Very “Kwik” but can he take that clinch…uh, not many a man can its Very Anderson Silva-esque. And who can stand with him & get out without being broken? So I digg ‘em both alot, but I think this step up for Saunders is just the ticket & say either Saunders by Ko/Tko in the 1st or 2nd – or Swick by UD. But I’m pullin’ for Ben, he’s an up & comer, I can’t wait to see this fight, HELL YES!!!!!!
by Sinister BTB on Mar 4, 2009 4:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
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