Georges St-Pierre appears to be at the top of his game heading into his July 11 bout with American Top Team cohort Thiago “Pitbull” Alves. The French Canadian, 18-2, has demonstrated monstrous improvement since his UFC debut - - which occured over five years ago.

Currently regarded as one of the sports best overall competitors, St-Pierre has merited that claim by dethroning the best welterweights the world has to offer.

That being said, one specific combatant has climbed up the ranks - - defeating the likes of Matt Hughes and Josh Koscheck - - and garnered an opportunity to fight for Georges’ welterweight title.

Thiago Alves (16-3) presents a gargantuan task for the 28-year-old champion. Alves possesses excellent Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu skills - - the likes of which St-Pierre has not been met with inside the octagon.

“Skill wise he’s bringing a lot more problems on the table than everybody that I’ve fought so far,” St-Pierre stated. “Thiago’s got devastating leg kicks, but that’s not the only thing he’s got. He has great knees, a great left hook. And he’s very heavy handed.”

“Rush”, like all fighters, has a very detailed gameplan for Alves. Greg Jackson - - trainer of St-Pierre - - is recognized as one of the very best strategical coaches in the sport. And with Jackson in St-Pierre’s corner, “Rush” is looking to have an abundance of options at UFC 100.

“I’ve been studying a lot of tape and I do have a specific strategy that I will use to take him out of his comfort zone, but it’s like when you play cards you don’t want to show your hand. When I fought BJ Penn I had a strategy but Thiago Alves is a way different fighter than BJ Penn so it’s going to be a different strategy, it’s going to be something else that I’m going to do to him.”

Regardless of St-Pierre’s staggering resume, nobody is unbeatable. The humble welterweight champion is dedicated to withhold his title no matter who his opposition may be. A young, hungry Thiago Silva looms in the balance and he’s striving for another impressive win. In a battle between Greek god-like figures, one man will cement their status as MMA’s welterweight czar.

As MMA CITY gets hyped up for UFC 100, I found this little gem on Youtube of GSP and Thiago Alves battling out in the new UFC 2009 Undisputed.  Its almost as good as the real thing and if you post a comment, please don’t spoil the ending.

After watching this fight, on July 11th, I would be surprised if this match-up doesn’t take home Fight of the Night awards.

Post your favorite UFC 2009 Undisputed fight links on our Forum..

If you don’t have your UFC 2009 Undisputed yet, be sure to check out MMA Warehouse which currently includes a free $10 gift certificate. Xbox 360 or Playstation 3

So you are in Vegas for UFC 100 weekend, its Friday night, you just spent the entire day getting autographs and meeting some of the best fighters in the world and you now have 3 or 4 hours to kill before you hit the clubs for the industry parties.

What do you do now?

WATCH SOME “TUFF GIRLS” GET NASTY IN THE RING.

That’s right, on July 10th Tuff-N-Uff Promotions will be featuring the first all-female MMA event at the Orleans Arena.  The ass-kicking starts at 8pm PST and tickets are only $25 at the door, $20 in advance and who knows, you might just witness the next Gina Carano.

“We are kicking off an historic weekend in MMA with an exciting match-up of some of the nation’s top female mixed martial artists,” said Barry Meyer, President of Tuff-N-Uff Productions, the promoter of Tuff Girls.  “We have a line-up of featured fighters who not only pack a punch but have colorful lives outside the ring proving how diverse a sport MMA has become.”

Tickets for the event are on sale now for $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the fight.  Tickets may be purchased by calling 702.284.7777, online at www.orleansarena.com or in person at the Orleans Arena box office located at 4500 West Tropicana Avenue at Arville Road.

It’s the first day of July, and MMA - - as well as the climate - - is heating up.

Major fights are on the horizon for this month. But sadly, only two major organizations will be on display in July. The always busy UFC will once again be the headline event as they showcase UFC 100 on July 11.

Saitama, Japan will play host to Japan’s heavyweight company DREAM on July 20. The semi-finals and finals of the welterweight grand prix will be presented. Lethal strikers Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic and Melvin Manhoef will also be in action that evening.

MMA City has compiled a list of the five most intriguing fights that will be contested this month. With the shortage of available events that will be occuring over the next thirty-one days - - at least major ones - - we did our best to bring you our most anticipated bouts.

Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir - UFC 100 (07/11/09)

With a new title to place on his already voluminous mantel, UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar is itching at the opportunity to defeat the man who is responsible for his one and only MMA blemish, Frank Mir. The two titans faced off at UFC 81 early last year. Mir was in deep trouble before he secured a fight-ending heel hook in the first round.

Since then, both fighters have won gold. Lesnar toppled UFC legend Randy Couture to become the UFC heavyweight champion. Mir was not far behind as he knocked out respectable heavyweight Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira to earn the interim title. Now, the two will meet again to determine the true UFC heavyweight kingpin.

Georges St-Pierre vs. Thiago Alves - UFC 100 (07/11/09)

It seems as though American Top Team product Thiago Alves has come out of the shadows to earn a welterweight title shot. “Pitbull” is coming off two huge victories against elite wrestlers Matt Hughes and Josh Koscheck. Labeled by many as the underdog heading into his fight against Hughes, Alves proved to be too much for the Illinois native - - knocking him out in the second round. He affirmed his arrival as a contender at UFC 90 when he out-pointed veteran welterweight Josh Koshcheck by unanimous decision.

On July 11 Alves will be presented with the toughest challenge of his career as he rumbles with pound-for-pound great Georges St-Pierre. But the same can be said for the champion - - as he takes on aruably his most difficult test in Alves. Will Alves keep on rolling? Or will “Rush” prevail as the champion?

Shinya Aoki vs. Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro - DREAM 10 (07/20/09)

Top Japanese lightweight Shinya Aoki will go up against Vitor Ribeiro in a battle of two of the best grapplers in the sport. Aoki (20-4) was last seen getting pummeled in the ring against fellow Japanese star Hayato “Mach” Sakurai at Dream 8. Although Aoki was humble in defeat, he’s very eager to get back on the winning track.

Shinya’s opponent, Ribeiro, will be looking to add another loss to Aoki’s resume. The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt - - who holds victories against Mitsuhiro Ishida and Joachim Hansen - - also participated at Dream 8, stopping Katsuhiko Nagata in the opening round. Dream 10 will produce a number of exciting match-ups with Aoki-Ribeiro potentially leading the way.

Dan Henderson vs. Michael Bisping - UFC 100 (07/11/09)

It’s a classic battle pitting experienced and knowledgeable versus young and talented. Don’t get me wrong, Dan Henderson is very talented, and Michael Bisping is far from feebleminded. But once these two gladiators enter the octagon in Las Vegas on July 11, one can’t help but think of the decisive experience advantage favoring the Temecula trained Henderson.

Bisping - - who is The Ultimate Fighter season three light heavyweight winner - - was untarnished in his 205 pound run until he faced fellow ubeaten and “TUF” winner Rashad Evans. The close decision loss prompted the Brit to change directions and head down to the middleweight division. So far, the choice has been wise as “The Count” has reeled off three impressive victories. But with a pressure-cooker in Dan Henderson looming, Will Bisping be up for this daunting task?

Melvin Manhoef vs. Paulo Filho - DREAM 10 (07/20/09)

I know what you’re thinking… Why not feature Fitch-Thiago on the list. Or maybe even Yoshihiro Akiyama’s UFC debut against Alan “The Talent” Belcher? Granted, those are both intriguing bouts and possible show-stealers. But one fight in particular titillated me, if you will. Melvin Manhoef fighting Paulo Filho has a unique, yet perplexing appeal to me.

Paulo Filho’s once unyielding figure suddenly vanished at the hands of Chael Sonnen at WEC 46 last November. Filho was unbeaten up until that point and was considered to be a top three middleweight.

The man they call “Marvelous”, (Melvin Manhoef)  finds himself in a comparable situation. Although never thought to be a top five fighter, Manhoef’s vicious fighting style was tamed by Gegard Mousasi at Dream 6. Be that as it may, the Holland native bounced back nicely knocking out super heavyweight Mark Hunt in December. With both fighters looking to renew their status as middleweight contenders, one man will sadly be left in shambles.

Worthy Mentions - Mac Danzig-Jim Miller (UFC 100), Andre Galvao-Jason High (Dream 10), Jon Fitch-Paulo Thiago (UFC 100), Yoshihiro Akiyama-Alan Belcher (UFC 100).

Questions/comments? Contact me - aneely@mmacity.com

Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone will get another opportunity to become WEC’s lightweight champion. But this time around, Cerrone won’t be challenging lightweight title holder Jamie Varner. Instead, the New Mexico trained fighter will try his luck against Ben Henderson at WEC 43 on September 2.

Cerrone’s opposition for his September bout isn’t the only change. When “Cowboy” steps inside the cage to face Henderson, he’ll be fighting for the interim lightweight title, not the one Varner bears.

Jamie Varner defended his lightweight gold against the 10-1 Cerrone at WEC 38 in January. The contest was stopped due to an illegal knee by Cerrone. Varner walked out of San Diego, California still the WEC 155 pound champion. Since their disappointing and abrupt stoppage, Cerrone and Varner have developed a heated rivalry - - going back and fourth in a war-of words:

“I think he’s taking a lot away from me saying I don’t deserve to fight him, I don’t belong in the same ring with him. You’re a tough guy behind the computers and the cell phone,” Cerrone stated.

Varner suffered a broken hand as a result of his match with “Cowboy.” The nagging injury has been a huge setback in terms of setting up possible rematch between the two young fighters.

Ben Henderson will replace Jamie Varner and lock horns with Cerrone for the interim belt.

Benson “Smooth” Henderson (9-1) has put together an impressive eight-fight winning streak. The Glendale native definitely has the attention of Cerrone as “Cowboy” is not looking past him.

“He’s got an awesome ground game and he’s a superior wrestler,” said Cerrone.

The winner of the Cerrone-Henderson fight is scheduled to meet Jamie Varner on a date later to be determined.

Time is ticking away. The countdown to the top 5 UFC fights are in your hands. Don’t miss out on your chance to be heard - - vote for which fights you believe are the greatest in UFC history.

Less than a week remains until the votes are tallied.

Send your nominees to aneely@mmacity.com

World renowned MMA trainer Greg Jackson took time out of his hectic schedule to chat with Mike Straka of FOX Fight Game. Jackson discusses his trainee - - St-Pierre - - and his strategy leading up towards July 11. Watch the video below.

With the anticipation of UFC 100, UFC 102 seems of almost little consequence at this point in time, but the UFC is putting its best foot forward and has finalized the fight card….  and it looks like the UFC is targeting the AARP demographic with a Senior’s Main Event between Randy Couture and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.  I guess that is what happens when you put up a bunch of super fights in the two prior events.

UFC 102 is set to take place in Portland, OR on August 29 and let’s hope it’s not a PPV event.

FIGHT CARD:

Pay-Per-View Bouts:

• Randy Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
• Keith Jardine vs. Thiago Silva
• Chris Leben vs. Jake Rosholt
• Nate Marquardt vs Demian Maia
• Matt Hamill vs. Brandon Vera

Preliminary Bouts:

• Gabriel Gonzaga Vs. Chris Tuchscherer
• Wilson Gouveia vs. James Irvin
• Junior Dos Santos vs. Justin McCully
• Mike Russow vs. Todd Duffee
• Nick Catone vs. Mark Munoz
• Matt Veach vs. Evan Dunham

JOIN THE MMA CITY FORUM AND REGISTER FOR OUR UFC 100 EVENT CONTEST AND OUR FREE FANTASY BETTING.

Robert Drysdale and Frank Mir talk about UFC 100 and Brock Lesnar. Watch the video below and make your decision. Who will win at UFC 100? Come discuss at our MMA Forum.

“I think Brock knows enough that he’s already worried. If I say too much more I might not be able to get him into the cage.” - Frank Mir

Check out this video where Brock Lesnar talks about his previous loss to Frank Mir.

“I gave that knee bar to him and he knows that.”

Now, Lesnar has something to prove to secure his UFC Heavyweight Title. Do you think he’s ready for Mir’s crafty tricks? Come discuss @ our MMA Forum.