Brendan Schaub, Chris Camozzi both to fight at UFC 121
While Denver’s own Nate Marquardt (29-9-2 MMA) prepares to headline the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Fight Night 22 on Sept. 15 against Rousimar Palhares (13-2), two other Colorado fighters are preparing for their own big time fights for the epic UFC 121 card, which will take place Oct. 23 in Anaheim, Calif. 
Heavyweight Brendan Schaub (6-1) is preparing for the biggest fight of his young career against former top-contender Gabriel Gonzaga (11-5). Schaub, a graduate of the University of Colorado where he played football, is coming off of two massive wins after losing in the finale fight of The Ultimate Fighter Season 10 finale against Roy Nelson. Schaub fought on the UFC on VERSUS 1 card in Broomfield, Colo., this past March, and landed a 47 second knockout against opponent Chase Gormley. Schaub came right back at UFC 116: Lesnar vs. Carwin to record another 1-minute, 7-second knockout over Chris Tuchscherer.
Schaub finds himself on the main card of the stacked UFC 121 card, which features Brock Lesnar and Cain Velasquez scrapping for the heavyweight title. Schaub faces an intriguing fight against Gonzaga, and despite Gonzaga’s great size and strength, Schaub should enjoy an advantage in the stand up department. However, as most MMA fans have seen 1,000 times, one Gonzaga head kick can end a fight.
Schaub is the perfect example of a fighter that would benefit greatly from a new middle-heavyweight division. The 245-pound Schaub could easily make a 235 weight class, which would give an opportunity to the fighters who cant make the 205 weight cut, but likely will be too out-sized to take on the larger heavyweights like Lesnar and Shane Carwin.
Fighting Gonzaga will be a huge test for Schaub and a good measuring stick for how well Schaub’s quick and powerful hands match up with the upper echelon fighters in the weight division. This is one fight I cannot wait for, and I am sure Schaub is working hard and eager to make another statement in the UFC.
Chris Camozzi (13-3) makes his return to the octagon the same night, and will open the UFC 121 fight card in a match against Dong Yi Yang (9-0) Yang will be making his debut in the UFC after signing with the organization in June. He trains with Chan Sung Jung (aka The Korean Zombie) at Korean Top Team, and will be looking to burst onto the American MMA scene in the same exciting fashion as Jung. 
Camozzi earned his way into the UFC by impressing president Dana White during his brief stint on The Ultimate Fighter Season 11. Camozzi was sent home from the reality show with a fractured jaw after a win against Victor O’Donnell, but returned during the show’s finale to defeat James Hammortree via unanimous decision.
After taking time to heal from a shoulder injury, Camozzi is back and ready to fight again, and will be aiming to give Yang his first loss, not only in the UFC, but in the sport.
UFC 121 promises to be another great card from the UFC and matchmaker Joe Silva. See below for the full fight card.
Main event:
265 lbs.: Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez
Main card on Pay Per View:
205 lbs.: Matt Hamill vs. Tito Ortiz
265 lbs.: Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Brendan Schaub
170 lbs.: Martin Kampmann vs. Jake Shields
170 lbs.: Diego Sanchez vs. Paulo Thiago
Spike TV “Prelims”:
185 lbs.: Ryan Jensen vs. Court McGee
185 lbs.: Patrick Cote vs. Tom Lawlor
Under card:
265 lbs.: Todd Duffee vs. Jon Madsen*
155 lbs.: Sam Stout vs. Paul Taylor
170 lbs.: Mike Guymon vs. Daniel Roberts
185 lbs.: Chris Camozzi vs. Dongi Yang*
*Fight not officially confirmed by UFC.com
Thanks to MMAMania.com for the card.
Recent Posts
Comments
Comment from George
Time: September 4, 2010, 5:49 pm
This is a good fight for Schaub it will give him an opportunity to try to work his way up in the UFC and to test himself to see how his skills have developed.
Write a comment