Maybe it's the kung fu movies I've been watching, but the mega fights of November are unfolding cinematically to me.
Of course, the headline event of the month is Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto on the 14th (9 PM ET, HBO PPV). Just the fight in itself is a big movie, especially with Pacquiao and Cotto being the big superstars of boxing they are.
But ironically, it's the supporting cast that provides the most drama, with trainer Freddie Roach masterfully juggling the carrot and stick to keep the Pacman in peak shape and conditioning coach Alex Ariza and advisor Michael Koncz airing their dirty laundry to the global population at-large via HBO's Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 in the Pacquiao camp.
On the Cotto side, Don Miguel eloquently directs the team like the quintessential Latin gentleman, while manager Bryan Perez provides the comic relief.
Some consider Fedor Emelianenko to be the top pound-for-pounder in MMA, practically unbeatable in the heavyweight division. He's well-versed in most aspects of the game, and imposes his timing and will with ease.
On the other hand, Rogers is a self-proclaimed family guy with rock-hard fists, but rudimentary grappling skills. He has knocked out his opponent in nine of his 10 professional fights, and was a part-timer until last year. He fights for family and that's what he'll do against Fedor.
The chances of Rogers actually beating Fedor may be slim, but the possibility of it happening alone gets me excited.
The reason is simple: Just like Fedor, Brown is a juggernaut in the WEC's featherweight division, destroying Urijah Faber (twice) and Leonard Garcia with his versatile skill and raw physical strength.
The cinematic quality of WEC 44 (November 18 - 9 PM ET, Versus) is that the unassuming Brown has a dangerous antagonist in Jose Aldo. Aldo is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, but he's one of the most dangerous and athletic strikers on the planet. Ten of his 15 wins have come via knockout or TKO, and his latest - a double flying knee on Cub Swanson - was outright scary.
Anything can happen in MMA, and Aldo's being lightning quick, powerful, young and vicious just makes Mike Brown's title defense that much more risky.
I can't wait for fight night.
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