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

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