UFC on FX 7: Belfort vs. Bisping – The Rundown

After an amazing year inside the Octagon, 2013 flows with that same energy as the UFC brings its viewers the first event of the new year live on FX. Playing host to this weekend’s fireworks filled festivies will be the birthplace of MMA, Brazil. Headlining the event is native son and Octagon legend, “The Phenom” Vitor Belfort taking on British bad boy, Michael “The Count” Bisping. The remainder of the main televised card features 3 more talented Brazilians all pitted against their own ruthless opposition. The city of Sao Paulo, Brazil will never be the same following the exciting MMA action going down inside the Ibirapuera Arena this weekend. Here is the rundown on what to expect from the UFC on FX 7 main card fighters.

Vitor Belfort (21-10) vs. Michael Bisping (24-4) 5 Round 185-pound Main Event Bout

Vitor Belfort goes to war in front of an adoring Brazilian crowd having won 7 out of his last 9 fights. The ex-UFC Heavyweight Tournament winner and former UFC 205-pound champ knows that a victory can steer him in the right direction as he sets on a 2013 course for middleweight supremacy. The owner of a record ten 1st round finishes inside the Octagon, “The Phenom” can quickly remind fans why you dont change the channel during the opening round of his bouts. Seeing as how his unequaled combination of firepower and hand speed can mercilessly seperate a figher from his senses early, its in Michael Bisping’s best interest to take this battle into deeper waters in order to test his foe’s cardio and disable him of his best weapon. The TUF Season 3 winner possesses tremendous conditioning which can enable Bisping to mix up his take downs and striking, really pushing the pace against the UFC veteran. Belfort hasnt fought at 185 lb since the summer of 2011, which means fans should witness a vintage Vitor KO or a systematic Bisping breakdown. Either way, this slug fest is scheduled for five rounds if i forgot to mention, so expect a classic without question.

Daniel Sarafian (8-2) vs. C.B. Dolloway (13-5) 3 Round 185-pound Co-Main Event Bout

Dolloway returns to the cage on the heels of his hard-fought UFC 146 victory over Jason “Mayhem” Miller last May. There, he out worked his man for 15 minutes showcasing his tenacious wrestling and ground game in order to pick up that unanimous decision win. This has been the bread and butter of the Arizona State University All-American and also what helped him earn a spot as a finalist during his time as a cast member on The Ultimate Fighter Season 7. Dolloway has the honor of welcoming TUF Brazil finalist and promotional newcomer, Daniel Sarafian to the Octagon this weekend. The Brazilian might be making his debut but in front of a hometown crowd what better way to kick off a UFC run than amongst cheers from friends and family? If the Sao Paulo native finds himself on the mat thanks to a Dolloway take down, he might be better suited there since 6 of his 8 victories have come via submission. Does C.B. spoil the coming out party of his rookie opponent, or does a new middleweight contender rise in the moment?

Gabriel Gonzaga (13-6) vs. Ben Rothwell (32-8) 3 Round Heavyweight Bout

Former IFL standout, Ben Rothwell continues his climb up the ladder towards heavyweight gold following his 1st round destruction of Brendan Schaub at UFC 145 last April. The American powerhouse needed a little over a minute to KO the TUF Season 10 finalist Schaub, with a wicked counter punch that had fans buzzing in Georgia. Looking to stop the momentum of Ben will be Rio De Janeiro’s own, Gabriel Gonzaga. Gabriel had strung together a 2-fight win streak before being sidelined due to injury resulting in his withdrawal from UFC 146. His last appearance in the Octagon was his 1st round submission of Ednaldo Oliveira at UFC 142 last January. Now completely healthy and hungry to compete, Gonzaga puts his 13 finishes out of 13 wins against Rothwell’s 29 finishes out of 32 wins to find out which warrior wakes up looking at the ref and which one holds his hand high in triumph. With a tantalizing tilt between hard hitting heavyweights that like to throw, the judges can put their pencils down on this one and just enjoy the show.

Thiago Tavares (21-4-1) vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov (18-0) 3 Round 155-pound Bout

Opening the televised card that night is another local hero facing a year-long lay off in Thiago Tavares. The Brazilian last competed at UFC 142 where he took a unanimous decision over the fierce Sam Stout. That was his 5th win out of his last 6 fights therefore, defeat is far from the 155-pound fighter’s mind. An aggressive Brazilian JiuJitsu black belt with great striking to match, Tavares takes on a equally talented foe in front of his countrymen that night. Khabib Nurmagomedov made his name overseas by taking out 13 of his 16 victims all by finish. For his first UFC match, the relentless Russian submitted Kamal Shalorus in his debut by way of 3rd round submission in January of 2012. Last July at UFC 148, he upset Gleison Tibau by unanimous decision. While both lightweights carry an excellent ground game into the cage, they are content in keeping the fight standing thanks to their quality striking. This scrap is the perfect way to light fire to the main card from the very start.

Setting things off in the birthplace of mixed martial is the perfect way to jump start 2013 for UFC fans worldwide. Toss in a couple The Ultimate Fighter alumni, international talent challenging Brazilian fighters in their backyard and a main event fight that can directly affect the 185-pound title picture and