The Ultimate Fighting Championships touches down on German soil for the first time in UFC history. Featuring the return of Heavyweight Mirko "Dro Cop" Filiopvic, a number one contenders match betwenn Cheick Kongo and Cain Velasquez, and the main event Rich "Ace" Franklin vs. Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva.
Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva
In the main event of the night, Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva meet for a catch weight bout at 195.
Former middleweight champion Rich Franklin is coming in off a split decision loss to Dan Henderson at UFC 93, which ended his two fight win streak. Rich made his lightheavy weight debut against Matt Hamill at UFC 88 and ended the fight via TKO. Franklin turned to the man he lost his middle weight title to and current middle weight champion Anderson Silva to help him prepare for his match against Silva.
Having only won one of his three fights in the UFC, Silva needs this match to ensure safe haven in the UFC. Last in the octagon suffering a devastating loss to Quinton Jackson where he was put to sleep in the first round at UFC 97. Out of Silva’s last 5 fights he has lost 4 to brutal KO’s. Silva is eager to redeem himself and show fans that he still has what it takes. Silva has said that this fight will be a war and will end in a knock out.
Cheick Kongo vs. Cain Velasquez
Cheick Kongo stepped up to the plate to face Cain Velasquez in place of the injured Heath Herring. On a TKO winning streak, Kongo has ended all of his last three fights via TKO and none have gone past the second round. If Kongo steps out of the octagon a winner come Saturday in Cologne, Germany he will have the opportunity to face the winner of Lesnar vs. Brock which takes place at UFC 100.
In similar fashion to his challenger, Cain Velasquez is unbeaten in the UFC and holds an overall Mixed Martial Arts record of 5-0. Making his debut at UFC 83 Velasquez stopped Jake O’Brien in the first round via TKO and finished off his following two matches in the same manner. With both of these fighters hungry for Heavyweight gold this match up will be key to unlocking their door.
Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic vs. Mustapha Al-Turk
Making his return to the UFC since leaving in 2008, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic steps back into the octagon. Coming off a loss to Cheick Kongo at UFC 75. Cro Cop signed with the Japanese promotion Dream, taking part in their 1st and 6th promotions where he was victorious over theJapanese giant Hong Mon Choi. Cro Cop went on to face Alistair Overeem at Dynamite 2008 with the fight ending in a no contest due to groin strikes. Wanting to prove his worth Cro Cop returns to the octagon at UFC 99 to take on Mustapha Al Turk.
Al Turk will be making his second appearance in the UFC octagon, after losing his debut match at UFC 92 against Cheick Kongo. Al Turk is confident this time around will be different. On June 13th Mustapha Al-Turk steps into the octagon to take on his possibly biggest challenge.
Mike Swick vs. Ben Saunders
On a three fight win streak since his :33 second knock out of Frenchman Jonathan Goulet. Mike Swick makes his way back to the octagon in hopes of continuing his streak against Ben Saunders.
In this welterweight bout Ben Saunders puts his unbeaten UFC record on the line. Coming in off a TKO victory over Brandon Wolff, Ben is looking to make his mark in the welterweight division and up the ladder.
Marcus Davis vs. Dan Hardy
With only 2 losses in the UFC, the former Ultimate Fighter two contestant has proved to a worthy opponent in the welterweight division. Davis is coming in off a decision victory over Chris Lytle at UFC 93
Fighting for the first time out of his home country of England. Dan Hardy is looking for a win to continue his perfect record in the UFC, with an impressive KO victory over Rory Markham at UFC 95 in his last bout.
With a little bad blood to fuel this fight fans are in for a treat.
Spencer Fisher vs. Caol Uno
In the lightweight bout Spencer Fisher and Caol Uno battle it out. Fisher last graced the octagon at UFC 90 where he finished off Shannon Gugerty in the third round via submission.
Returning to the UFC since his KO lost to Hermes Franca at UFC 44 the K-1 and Dream superstar steps back into the octagon for the first time in Cologne, Germany to re-introduce himself to the UFC fans.
See below for the undercard:
