UFC 165: Costa Philippou vs Francis Carmont Preview


Costa Philippou UFC

Tom Szczerbowsk-USA Today Sports

UFC 165 is almost here, and fans have been waiting in anticipation. One of the more exciting bouts on the card is a middleweight scrap between Costa Philippou and Francis Carmont. Both are riding some momentum in their careers, and a win would set themselves up for something big in this division, which is currently being reigned by Chris Weidman.

Weidman will be challenging Anderson Silva again at UFC 168, and the winner of the Philippou vs. Carmont bout makes a good case as being the next middleweight contender.

Coming into this contender bout, Philippou has been able to amass a five fight winning streak. His latest UFC outing was against Tim Boetsch, where he would be able to showcase his brutal ground and pound late in the third round. Costa was able to get the TKO victory, and he is maybe two wins away from a UFC title shot. Training with Weidman on a daily basis, Costa has been able to make marketed improvements in his wrestling game. He has vicious power in his hands, making him a dangerous threat in this division.

Francis Carmont is on a 10 fight winning streak, and he is making waves in the middleweight division. His latest outing was against Lorenz Larkin, which was a great stand up battle for much of the fight. Carmont trains out of the Tristar Gym, alongside welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre and Rory MacDonald. His striking game is very polished, and he actually has a well-versed submission game, making him a threat when the fight hits the mat.

Both of these middleweights have great skills, and they will be looking to impose their will on each other at UFC 165, which takes place only on pay per view.

Jeremy Green is an MMA and NFL contributor to www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MMA_FORTE, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.


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