MMA Weekend Preview: UFC on Fuel 5 and Bellator 74

If UFC 152 didn't quench your thirst for MMA action, don't worry this coming Saturday features two televised fight cards. On Friday night Bellator kicks off a new season with the first round of their welterweight tournament and then the UFC will return to England on Fuel TV in the mid-afternoon.

The UFC card will feature mostly European fighters, and pit up rising contenders and prospects against each other. The main event features two young Heavyweights, Stipe Miocic and Stefan Struve, fighting to see who will get to take that next step into the role of contender. This card will also feature two British fighters who train at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida. Brad Pickett, a Top 10 Bantamweight, and Jason Young, a struggling young featherweight.

Pickett is faced with Canadian Yves Jabouin, who has strong all around skills. While Pickett is an experienced striker, this fight will likely hinge on his ability to get Jabouin to the ground as Pickett is the superior grappler of the two. Jason Young is faced with up and coming prospect Robert Peralta, and is likely in a situation where he must win to keep his spot on the UFC roster.

This Friday the Bellator Fighting Champions returns to cable with the opening round of their Welterweight tournament. "Judo" Jim Wallhead (23-6) brings his high level judo background in against former Bellator Welterweight Champion Lyman Good (12-2). High flying striker Marius Zaromskis (18-6) brings his fan pleasing style to bear against Canadian fighter Nordine Taleb (8-1). On the other side of the bracket Andrey Koreshkov (10-0) takes on Jordan Smith (17-3) and Tim Welch (9-3) faces off with Michail Tsarev (23-2).

While there are no Florida fighters on the card it is still an excellent watch for anybody looking for a fight fix and will be aired live on MTV2 and streamed for free on Spike.com Friday evening.

While the Strikeforce card was cancelled, MMA Junkie has reported that all the fighters on the card have been payed their "show" money, easing the finical burdens on the fighters who are being forced to wait a good deal of time unitl a new pay day.

UFC on Fuel 5 Fight Card

On Fuel TV:

Stipe Miocic (9-0) vs. Stefan Struve (24-5)

Dan Hardy (24-10, 1 NC) vs. Amir Sadollah (6-3)

Yves Jabouin (18-7) vs. Brad Pickett (21-6)

Paul Sass (13-0) vs. Matt Wiman (14-6)

John Hathaway (16-1) vs. John Maguire (18-3)

Duane Ludwig (21-13) vs. Che Mills (14-5, 1 NC)

On Facebook:

Kyle Kingsbury (11-4, 1 NC) vs. Jimi Manuwa (11-0)

Akira Corassani (9-3, 1 NC) vs. Andy Ogle (8-1)

Brad Tavares (8-1) vs. Tom Watson (15-4)

Robert Peralta (15-3, 1 NC) vs. Jason Young (9-5)

DaMarques Johnson (16-11) vs. Gunnar Nelson (9-0-1)