very distinct possibility of involving the “KO of the Night”, as it features two of the hardest-hitting kickboxers on the UFC roster. Cheick Kongo of France is a towering figure that has the intimidating appearance of Xerxes in the movie “300”. He also boasts a win in the UFC over the legendary Mirko “CroCop” Filipovic. Kongo’s UFC resume also includes victories over Mostapha Al Turk, Dan Evensen, Assuerio Silva, Christian Wellisch, and the late Gilbert Aldana. In that time, he has only lost twice, which were Split Decision losses to Carmelo Marrero and Heath Herring.

Kongo’s opponent will be the Dutch fighter Antoni Hardonk, who is possibly the only man on the UFC roster who can match Kongo’s striking power. Hardonk has four TKO victories in the UFC over Mike Wessel, Eddie Sanchez, Colin Robinson, and Sherman Pendergarst. Like Kongo, he only has a pair of losses in the Octagon, his being to Frank Mir and Justin McCully. However, Hardonk hasn’t lost in nearly two years.

One of the most interesting factors in this fight is the fact that the only man who has ever KO’d Kongo in his MMA career is Gilbert Yvel. Hardonk is a longtime training partner and friend of Yvel from their days training at the Vos Gym in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This is one of the most elite Muay Thai gyms in the world and Hardonk has shown the explosive striking power in all "eight limbs" (hands, shins, elbows, and knees), which is a trademark of the gym made famous by the likes of Ernesto Hoost, Ivan Hippolyte, Remy Bonjasky, Jerrel Venetiaan, and Yvel. This more refined Muay Thai striking pedigree I feel will be the deciding factor in the fight, as I predict Hardonk will turn some heads on the main card at the Bell Centre with a highlight reel TKO of Kongo.

Prediction: Antoni Hardonk via TKO (Strikes).



Steve Cantwell vs. Luiz Arthur Cane (Light-Heavyweight Bout)

This light-heavyweight contest will answer a lot of questions surrounding two of the UFC’s brightest up-and-comers in this weight class. Steve Cantwell is the last reigning WEC light-heavyweight champion. At the end of last year, Zuffa (the WEC’s parent company) decided to merge the division and it’s respective fighters into the UFC. This allowed Cantwell the opportunity to test himself and his impressive 7-1 record in the UFC’s elite ranks. He made his debut in December in a dominating and controversial manner. After submitting Razak Al-Hassan at UFC - Fight for the Troops with an Armbar, he did not let go of the limb until the arm of Al-Hassan popped. In a post-fight interview he gave the ungracious statement that he has always dreamed of doing that in a fight. Cantwell would later explain that his actions were not ill intended.

Cantwell will look to make up for that mishap against a fearsome Brazilian fighter by the name of Luiz Arthur Cane. Cane’s nickname “Banha” means “Lard” in Portuguese, but that probably has more to do with the fat number of wins on his record and not his physique. The only loss on Cane’s 9-1 record is due to an unfortunate DQ due to an illegal knee in his UFC debut against James Irvin in December 2007. He has since made up for his debut mishap with TKO victories over Jason Lambert and Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou. More impressively, Cane has never had a fight go the distance; earning eight TKO victories and one submission win in his career.

On paper, this fight looks very even. They both measure an identical 6 feet 2 inches and weigh-in at 205-pounds. Cane will turn 28 next week and started his career in 2005, right around the same time as Cantwell. Cantwell is only 22 years old and has also fought overseas, like Cane, prior to coming to the UFC. Both men have shown to be comfortable in the striking and grappling aspects of MMA. However, the grappling advantage would have to go to Cantwell, where the striking should be dictated by Cane. In the end, I predict that Cane’s explosive striking acumen will persevere and give “Banha” another TKO victory.


Prediction: Luiz Arthur Cane via TKO (Strikes).



Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Brian Stann (Light-Heavyweight Bout)

The name Krzysztof Soszynski is a Scrabble player’s dream come true if people’s names were allowed to be put into use with 18 letters per hand. It is also a name that was pushed into the mainstream consciousness after the Polish-Canadian’s stint on The Ultimate Fighter 8, which saw him play the role of “prankster” en route to making it to the semi-finals in the show’s light-heavyweight tournament. Prior to hiding furniture and finding creative uses for itching powder, Soszynski cut his teeth in the IFL and HDNet Fights organizations. He is primarily a striker with a penchant for trading blows on the feet.

Soszynski’s style of fighting and desire to stand and trade is matched similarly to the preferable fighting element of Brian Stann. Soszynski vs. Stann is one of those fights where you know someone is getting knocked out. Stann is a former WEC light-heavyweight champion who caught national attention for his time served overseas as U.S. Marine. He earned a silver star (the nation's third highest award for valor in combat) while engaging in combat in Iraq. After rising to the rank of Captain in the Marines, Stann left active duty in the Marine Corps in of May 2008 and now fights full time.

The experience advantage will clearly go to Soszynski, who has 18 more fights to his credit. He also has a win in the UFC and has been training full-time much longer than Stann with the help of Dan Henderson and Team Quest. However, if there is one thing in the fight game that can’t be learned through experience, it’s power. It only takes one clean power shot to end the night for anyone in this game and that is the advantage that Stann brings to the table. They say styles make fights and that should be held true on Saturday night as Soszynski’s experience won’t be able to fortify his chin with enough granite to withstand the ambush of a decorated Marine soldier who carries hellfire in his hands. I see Stann taking this fight via TKO, which is the way he has tallied all 6 of his wins.

Prediction: Brian Stann via TKO (Strikes).