The UFC calendar has this coming weekend off, but the biggest MMA company in the world returns on June 28th with 2 events, one in San Antonio, Texas and the other in Auckland, New Zealand. Both events are part of the UFC’s ‘FIGHT NIGHT’ series, and the main events feature featherweights Cub Swanson versus Jeremy Stephens (TX) and middleweights James Te Huna versus Nathan Marquardt in Kiwiland.
Right now at the books, Te Huna is favored at (-220) over Marquardt, who returns (+180), and Cub Swanson is favored at (-245) over Stephens, who comes back at (+205).
The Te Huna and Marquardt could have some heat to it, as both men have their backs to the wall as far as continued employment with the company. Te Huna is making his debut at 185 lbs after dropping two fights in a row at Light Heavyweight. Another loss, or any problems with making weight or a flat performance, and Te Huna may be on the receiving end of a pink slip.
Marquardt is on even thinner ice, if you can believe that. He has 3 losses in a row, and after getting wiped out in the first round two consecutive times at 170 lbs, returns to the Middleweight division. The problem is that Marquardt has shown very little in his UFC return, and that includes the sense that his back is to the wall. Marquardt is going to have to call on his motivational reserves to get by the big punching Te Huna.
In contrast, the Swanson-Stephens match pits two fighters who are on winning streaks. Swanson is starting to build a case for himself as a title contender, as he has put together a solid five fight winning streak. The catch with Swanson is that he has not fought since July of 2013, and that is a considerable layoff. Swanson is hoping he has not lost any of the momentum he had been building.
Stephens has won 3 in a row, including his last outing against Darren Elkins at 145 lbs. He seems comfortable at the weight, and is looking to continue stepping up in competition after Elkins, who is no slouch. Though Swanson is going to be stronger and longer than Stephens, Stephens may be able to combat that factor with his experience at Lightweight. Stephens may be worth a look.
