UFC 149: Faber vs. Barao features action in the Heavyweight division as veteran Cheick Kongo (17-7-2; 10-5-1 UFC) faces Shawn Jordan (13-3; 1-0 UFC). This is the 3rd of 5 fights on the PPV main card. Kongo is currently ranked as the #16 Heavyweight in the world in the USA TODAY / MMA Nation Consensus MMA Rankings, with Jordan unranked. The UFC 149 PPV card airs live Saturday night July 21 at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
Once again, this fight is a change from the original line-up. Kongo was originally set to face Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira on this show. However when Minotauro decided he would not be ready to return after his injury suffered at the hands of Frank Mir, he pulled out. Relative UFC newcomer Shawn Jordan stepped in as a replacement, which rather significantly downgrades the relevance of this fight. It now becomes either a place-holder for Kongo, or a chance for Jordan to make his name.
How do these two stack up?
Kongo: 37 years old | 6'4" | 82" reach
Jordan: 27 years old | 6'0" | 74" reach
What have these two done recently?
Kongo: L - Mark Hunt (TKO) | W - Matt Mitrione (UD) | W - Pat Barry (KO)
Jordan: W - Oli Thompson (TKO) | W - Lavar Johnson (Sub) | L - Devin Cole (UD)
How did these two get here?
Cheick Kongo has been in the UFC for 6 years now. And for virtually all of that time, he's occupied the same position - tough fighter who is just outside of title contention. He's a good kickboxer who learned that, by being competent on the ground, he can beat almost every other good kickboxer he faces. Except Mark Hunt, who knocked him out in Kongo's last outing. Prior to that fight, Kongo was on a 4 fight undefeated streak, which was the longest of his UFC career. Jordan is the kind of prospect Kongo has always taken out, but this is a real high risk, low reward fight for the French fighter. A win over Jordan does absolutely nothing for Kongo, while a loss sets him way back.
Shawn Jordan comes to the UFC courtesy of the now defunct (almost) Strikeforce Heavyweight division. There, he competed on Strikeforce Challengers cards, going 1-1 including a win over Lavar Johnson. He has past experience in Bellator, where he was 3-1, and the Louisiana regional scene. Jordan trains with Greg Jackson. He looked good in his UFC debut this spring, but is taking a huge step up the ladder here, and I'm not sure he's ready for it.
Why should you care?
Jordan is a decent striker, and if he brings the aggression against Kongo, we could have an exciting bout. But if he lets Kongo dictate the pace, the veteran will grind him down in a snoozer. I'm willing to roll the dice and see where this one goes.
More UFC 149 preview coverage from Bloody Elbow after the jump.
SBN coverage of UFC 149: Faber vs. Barao
UFC 149 Judo Chop: Urijah Faber and the Guillotine Choke - T.P. Grant
UFC 149 Weigh-In Results: Faber 135, Barao 135 - Tim Burke
UFC 149 Staff Picks And Predictions - Tim Burke
UFC 149: Hector Lombard Vs. Tim Boetsch Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 149 Judo Chop: Renan Barao Uses A Muay Thai Knee Against Brad Pickett - Fraser Coffeen
UFC 149: Faber Vs. Barao Betting Lines - Tim Burke
UFC 149: Cheick Kongo Vs. Shawn Jordan Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 149 Fight Science: Can Fighters Benefit From Training Their Sense Of Smell? - David Castillo
UFC 149: Brian Ebersole Vs. James Head Dissection - Dallas Winston
Bad Boy Presents Bloody Elbow Radio - Episode 189: UFC 149, Bellator 72 Previews - Matt Bishop
UFC 149 Pre-Fight Press Conference Video And Coverage - Tim Burke
UFC 149 Judo Chop: Urijah Faber's Weaknesses - Jack Slack
UFC 149: Matt Riddle Vs. Chris Clements Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC Posts Free Urijah Faber And Renan Barao Fights On Youtube - Mookie Alexander
Video: Countdown To UFC 149 - Faber Vs. Barao And Kongo Vs. Jordan - Tim Burke
Video: Countdown To UFC 149 Lombard Vs. Boetsch - ZProphet
UFC 149: Preliminary Card Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 149: Introducing Hector Lombard - Fraser Coffeen
UFC 149 Judo Chop: Renan Barao Is NOT The Bantamweight Jose Aldo - Jack Slack
FREE $100 UFC 149 Kountermove Fantasy Cash Tourney - Steph Daniels
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