Five For Fighting – March’s Best Upcoming Bouts

After a fairly quiet month of February we roll straight into the third month of the year with some big fights looming. There may not be the greatest quantity of bouts over the next 31 days but there is plenty of quality packed into it. Like every month, I’ve picked out the five fights you should be most looking forward to in the next four weeks.

5. Joseph Duffy vs. Jake Lindsey – March 14th,  UFC 185

Irish MMA fans will already be majorly excited that Joseph Duffy makes his UFC debut this month but everyone else should be too. Currently, Duffy is best known for being the last man to beat Conor McGregor but he is more than capable of making a name in his own right during his UFC career. His opponent, Jake Lindsey, will be a tough first test but, if he should get through him, we might just be looking at Ireland’s best UFC prospect since McGregor entered the Octagon.

4. Carla Esparza vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk – March 14th,  UFC 185

It’s always a special occasion when a UFC belt is up for grabs but this one has the added spice of being the first ever defence of the women’s strawweight title. Esparza vs. Jędrzejczyk is a real throw-back to the original UFC with a hugely talented striker taking on a gritty wrestler and we should know almost immediately which of those styles will win the day. After a big February for WMMA it’s another chance at progression for the ladies.

3. Erick Silva vs. Ben Saunders – March 21st, UFC Fight Night 62

You might be forgiven for mistaking this fight for a prospect battle but Silva (30) vs. Saunders (31) is anything but that. What it is, though, is a match-up between two extremely exciting welterweights who still have the possibility of a run up the division. Both men throw hard on the feet but on the floor is where this one really comes to life. Saunders is the holder of the only omoplata in UFC history while BJJ black belt Silva also loves to mix it up on the deck. This should be a smashing bout.

2. Roy Nelson vs. Alistair Overeem – March 14th,  UFC 185

In the heavyweight division it isn’t that unusual to have two knockout artists pitted together so the hype around Roy Nelson and Alistair Overeem is a tell tell sign that this one is something a little more special. It helps that both of these guys have huge fanbases but TNT in their hands makes this exciting and unmissable. As he always does, Nelson will throw his huge overhand right towards the, often suspect, chin of Overeem while absorbing bombs back. Someone is almost certain to go to sleep early.

1. Anthony Pettis vs. Rafael Dos Anjos – March 14th,  UFC 185

Whenever the prestigious UFC lightweight belt is up for grabs you know we have a high quality scrap on our hands. Pettis seemed to be the man destined for the belt for many years and now that he has it, it’s his job to hold it from all comers. Rafael Dos Anjos may not be the most well known fighter in the division but he is a huge threat to Pettis after making massive career improvements in recent times. Both men are known for their quick, powerful attacking prowess and having them in the same enclosed area can only end in a violent symphony. Don’t miss this one.