This Saturday Night: TUF Finale

The TUF Finale on Saturday night will be headlined by Roy Nelson and Matt Mitrione. In the past several years, Nelson has struggled against the top fighters of the division but he’s still managed to finish Stefan Struve, Mirko Cro Cop, and Dave Herman. Mitrione was undefeated until running into Cheick Kongo 13 months ago. He has not fought since. Nelson brings his heavy hands and his much beloved crucifix position to the table to try to give Mitrione his second loss in professional competition.

Also featured on this card, Melvin Guillard will step into the cage against former WEC titlist Jamie Varner. Like that quote from “The Sweet Smell of Success”, Melvin Guillard’s career has had more twists than a barrel full of pretzels. Guillard was rumoured to be a win away from getting a title shot, until he got finished by Joe Lauzon at UFC 136 (October 2011). Since then, he hurt Jim Miller and Donald Cerrone badly in those two fights before losing to both those great fighters. Between those fights, he did defeat Fabricio Camoes, but this is his opportunity to start building a streak of wins.

Varner had one of the great upsets of 2012, when he KO’d Edson Barboza in a fight where he was a late replacement. He would go on to be in the losing end of a “Fight of the Year Candidate” with Joe Lauzon. With a win, Varner could be a great candidate for “Comeback Fighter of the Year”. I don’t think Guillard vs Varner will go the distance, both guys have something to prove and it will most likely be an exciting affair.