A rowdy rematch and tantalizing trilogy! My UFC 199 Preview.

Although its main card features several highly anticipated bouts, the pinnacle of UFC 199 is the next chapter of an ongoing feud as newly crowned middleweight champion, Luke Rockhold, aims to insulate his gold against seasoned UFC veteran, Michael Bisping.

"We trained (together) before, and I made mincemeat out of him." The controversial statement boldly made by Michael "The Count" Bisping, prior to his first fight with Luke Rockhold, which caused a contentious issue between the middleweight greats. As the two are unexpectedly set to square off for the second time this weekend, the stakes have certainly been raised as Bisping is finally awarded his long awaited first UFC title shot, and Rockhold is seeking to defend his title for the first time since becoming middleweight champion last December.

Rockhold and Bisping face off ahead of their title fight.
Credit: MMAJunkie

Although both Rockhold and Bisping respect each other’s technical abilities inside the octagon, the pairs strident feelings towards one and other have certainly not shifted in any means. With over five hours of fight-time and the most significant strikes landed in UFC history, Bisping believes it is now his "destiny" to go on and claim his first ever UFC title, whereas Rockhold on the other hand believes it's Bisping's destiny to "be his little bitch." Commonly known for his high punching volume and constant endurance, a two week training camp has made Bisping aware of the fact that if the fight does go five rounds, he will "slow down." A contrast to many of his previous bouts, Bisping has stated he will be looking for the first round finish, something in which he has not achieved since UFC 85 back in 2008.

For Bisping and the world of UFC, this title shot came around in a way which most never expected. Originally, it was former middleweight champion Chris Weidman who was expected to face Rockhold in yet again another rematch, as Weidman looked to recoup his middleweight belt in which he lost to Rockhold at UFC 194. However, a freak neck injury forced Weidman to withdraw from the rematch with the only man who put a loss on his MMA record, and it is now Michael Bisping who is in the crosshairs of Luke Rockhold.

Moving on to a feud which has lasted almost a decade. Two Californian boys with a lengthy history behind them attempt to settle the scores this Saturday night, in what promises to be an epic trilogy to an enraged rivalry, when top tier bantamweights Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber meet again inside the octagon.  

Cruz will be looking to emulate his previous performance, in which he claimed UFC gold after returning from a two-year layoff to beat TJ Dillashaw via split decision in January. With Dillashaw only landing a mere 26% of his significant strikes in that fight, Cruz feels he will make Faber miss even more as his "over hand-rights and guillotine chokes" are predictable to say the least. For Faber, an unconvincing win at UFC 194 over Frankie Saenz has not left him short of confidence coming in to this title fight. "I'm a get the strap" Faber said positively at the UFC 199 media day. 

Standing at one a piece, there are no arguments made to Urijah's submission win over Cruz in the first fight. However, Faber feels the second fight in which Cruz won via unanimous decision at UFC 132, was not as one-sided as the result shows. "Even Dana said I won that fight" Faber protested when talking to Ariel Helwani on Tuesday's 'The MMA Hour.' Previous results aside, both Cruz and Faber will be looking to put on a powerful performance in order to gain bragging rights and put a marker on the feud for once and for all.

A heated exchange between Dustin Poirier and Bobby Green
Credit: MMAJunkie

The Forum in Inglewood hosts a myriad of other magnificent match-ups on the main card of UFC 199 this Saturday night. Cuban knock-out artist Hector Lombard makes his middleweight debut as he takes veteran and future hall of famer Dan Henderson. A heated match-up at lightweight occurs when Bobby Green, who returns from almost two years out, hopes to put an end to Dustin Poirier’s winning streak at 155. All in all, this UFC 199 card has some great match-ups from top to bottom. Could we see two new UFC champions crowned on the night? Or will Cruz and Rockhold begin their triumphs as kings of their divisions?