Who is the next man in line to face the dangerous Rousimar "Toquinho" Palhares and his killer leg locks?
We'll know after Saturday night (Jan. 17, 2015), as Jake Shields and Brian Foster will determine a new No. 1 contender in the main event of World Series of Fighting (WSOF) 17 on NBC Sports, confirmed by Ray Sefo in an interview with MMAmania.com just last month.
It's another busy weekend for MMA in general, but unlike the last major WSOF card, they run unopposed on Saturday night as UFC Fight Night: "McGregor vs. Siver" is booked for Sunday, while Bellator 132: "Pitbull vs. Straus" is scheduled for Friday night.
If you're so inclined, you can watch one live show every night all weekend long.
Our focus today, however, is on the "Shields vs. Foster" card, with the No. 1 contender's match headlining a five-fight card that showcases the potential of the WSOF roster. Three undefeated fighters will put their win streaks on the line, two of them in one middleweight match-up, all of them hailing from different parts of the globe. Without further adieu, let's break down the card:
170 pounds: Jake Shields (30-7) vs. Brian Foster (22-6)
It didn't take long for Jake Shields to find his way into title contention after submitting Ryan Ford at WSOF 14, and with his only loss in his last six fights coming against Hector Lombard, Shields seems to be on the verge of his first title shot since 2011. Brian Foster stands in his way, a man who has only lost once in his last NINE fights, with the feather in his cap being a submission of "The Immortal" Matt Brown at UFC 123, and his most recent victory coming over TUF 17 alum Gilbert Smith.
Foster's reputation as a submission artist is well earned, with 12 out of 22 wins coming via the tap, but he's equally deadly with his hands, finishing nine of his victories and only one "W" coming via decision. That makes him virtually the opposite of his opposition, as Shields has taken 16 out of 30 wins via decision, some close and some controversial. His choke of Ford was a reminder that as a Cesar Gracie black belt with his own hybrid "American jiu-jitsu" style, he can't ever be counted out to finish a fight.
He's now done it 11 times.
Final prediction: Jake Shields submits Brian Foster to become the new No. 1 contender.
155 pounds: Johnny Nunez (5-0) vs. Brian Cobb (20-8)
The 34-year-old Cobb has two things working against him in this fight: relative inactivity (only three fights since January 2012 and none in 2014) and relatively little success when active (losing two of those three).
His biggest advantage is experience: almost six times more professional fights than Nunez. "Johnny Boy," however, is undefeated, and got there by earning a tough split decision victory over Ozzy Dugulubgov in his WSOF debut.
Final prediction: Johnny Nunez finishes Brian Cobb via TKO.
185 pounds: Krasimir Mladenov (11-0) vs. Brendan Kornberger (5-0)
Few nicknames are as apt as Mladenov's: "The Wrestler." The Bulgarian has gone to decision in six out of 11 victories, and used his superior grappling technique to set up submissions in four -- only finishing one fight with strikes in his career.
Kornberger has no nickname and needs none as his four TKO victories speak for themselves.
This has the feel of an old school "style vs. style" MMA match, and don't count on either man to defy expectations, as they have little reason to risk going outside of their wheelhouse until a defeat exposes a weakness. In this case I favor experience.
Final prediction: Mladenov outlasts and outwrestles Kornberger to a decision.
135 pounds: Bryson Hansen (7-2) vs. Rudy Morales (3-1)
Hansen is in search of consistency in WSOF at 1-1 for the promotion, and undoubtedly thinks Morales is the man to give him that big win on a televised card. There's not a lot to glean from Morales' limited record of experience other than this: he once finished an opponent in BAMMA via knockout in just 41 seconds.
Since Hansen is a natural hard hitter in his own right (five out of seven victories by strikes) this is a fight with the potential for fireworks.
Final prediction: Bryson Hansen picks up his second WSOF win via TKO.
170 pounds: Danny Davis Jr. (10-8-1) vs. Adam Cella (6-2)
If you remember Adam Cella, you probably remember the spinning heel kick of DOOOOOM that Uriah Hall nailed him with on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), the one that put the fear of God into every opponent of Hall's since.
He's middling over his last four fights, trading wins and losses, but Danny Davis Jr. has made a career out of going under or over the Mendoza line, putting himself into positive territory with two wins in WSOF. Cella's strength is that he's a finisher -- every win coming by submission or strikes -- while Davis often tries to outlast or outpoint opponents with mixed results.
Final prediction: Adam Cella defeats Danny Davis Jr. via TKO.
That's a wrap!
Remember: MMAmania.com will deliver live coverage of WSOF 17 "Shields vs. Foster" Saturday night, with the first televised fight taking place at 9 p.m. ET on NBC Sports.
See you then!