FACEBOOK TWITTER RSS APP PODCAST Opinion & Analysis : Staff Columnists BENT: Previewing UFC 93: Marcus Davis vs. Chris Lytle

Jan 12, 2009 - 10:13:22 PM
By: Jason Bent, MMATorch Columnist
The second bout of the main televised portion of the PPV is certain to be a slugfest which could probably take place inside of a phonebooth or on a dime rather than the Octagon. This is a fight in which neither man will look to take it to the ground, but rather make sure the other guy ends up there and out cold. We have two men with excellent striking abilities, and a dislike for each other, to go along with a propensity for being in exciting fights which should make this one a fight to savor at UFC 93.

Someone who enjoys fine dining and has a cultured palate will often find that a cheeseburger or a slice of pizza is welcome once in a while, and a fight like this shall be the greasy cheeseburger to the MMA purist who often looks down on bouts which take place solely on the feet. Most fans would not enjoy it if all fights were slugfests, but this is not to say that such a thing can't be enjoyable and simply a blast to watch once in a while. Davis-Lytle is just that sort of fight, and is similar to a big, blockbuster action flick in that you don't need to think too much or to have read the book instead you can just zone out and enjoy the car chases and ridiculous explosions. In fact, explosive is probably the best word to use when describing the potential of this fight.

Marcus Davis is a former professional boxer who was introduced to many by way of his appearance on 'The Ultimate Fighter 2,' and he is a crowd pleasing fighter who looks to knock everyone out with each and every punch. It isn't as if he has no skills at all on the ground but rather that he is supremely skilled by virtue of his boxing pedigree, and simply feels more comfortable and capable on his feet. At a certain point you have to go with what you know, and Davis knows throwing punches. The day he opts to take opponents to the ground will probably be the same day that Quaker Oats elects to put the Aunt Jemima name on a frozen pizza rather than pancake mix. Davis is 35 years old and is more likely to engage in a few more crowd pleasing slugfests than he is to ever challenge for a title, but this seems to be a role he is comfortable with assuming. He hasn't beaten anyone of note but has always been a game opponent who is always capable of changing the outcome of a fight with just one shot.

Chris Lytle is the flesh and blood Tyler Durden whom Davis will have to face, and is another fighter who likes to keep things standing if at all possible. Lytle is like Davis in that he has lost to every top guy that he has faced, but he's at least put up one hell of a fight in the process. Lytle is a fighter who only knows how to move forward, and it is his heart which compels him to carry on even after his body is told that he has no chance in winning the fight. His bout against Josh Koscheck at UFC 86 is a shining example of this as his head was split wide open and he was being pummeled but showed absolutely nothing that would indicate he was going to give in. He lost a unanimous decision, and quite a bit of blood from a wound which Joe Rogan described as looking much like a "goat's vagina," but he certainly won over the fans viewing this bout with his gutty performance. At 34 years old he is again much like Davis, in that he will probably never find himself contending for a title but could hang on for a while longer and continue at least contending for fight of the night honors on every card he happens to be on.

Marcus Davis made some comments in regards to how this bout should be contested, and even stated that the first man to take it to the ground would be branded a "pussy," but this is exactly what Chris Lytle needs to do in order to win. Chris Lytle needs to be a "pussy" and get this one to the ground, as his stand up is in no way equal to or superior to that of Marcus Davis. Both men have competed as professional boxers, but Davis is much more refined and at a decided advantage in terms of sheer hand speed, accuracy and his footwork. Lytle has knockout power, and will probably look to dig his heels in and go for the big shot, and he does have a chance to land this, but his best chance to win will come if he is indeed a "pussy" and takes Davis off of his feet. Lytle has a big gas tank and could surely do enough to pull out the victory, but he risks being outclassed and outgunned if he does indeed elect to make this one a boxing match.

For Marcus Davis to win this bout it is going to take his hand speed, accuracy and ability to beat Lytle to the punch consistently. There is no reason Davis cannot win this bout if it remains a boxing match as he is just on a different level than "Lights Out" in terms of his boxing skills. This is not to suggest that Davis would be a lame duck if it does hit the deck, but his chance to win will come on the feet, and it is likely that this will be a recipe for success in his case. Stylistically this match up favors Davis and if this one is contested as a boxing match per their gentleman's agreement it would appear that Davis should be capable of pounding out a victory. Neither man has been stopped, but if anyone is capable of stopping Lytle it shall be Davis, and for one night it could be Marcus Davis returning to the world of professional boxing in order to win this bout.

Bent's Prediction: Marcus Davis by 3rd Round TKO

First and foremost I do believe that this fight will be conducted under the gentleman's agreement to stand and bang with one another, and I also believe that Chris Lytle is tough enough to weather the storm early on. I just think Marcus Davis will be way too much for him to contend with once he gets past the first and second rounds. The iron jawed Lytle will be summarily weakened due to the accumulation of blows; and while he won't want to give in, he may have no choice but to do so as he crumples to the canvas in defeat.

I absolutely adore every nuance of the fight game, with a particular appreciation for the chess matches which can and do often take place on the ground, but you can bet your ass that I am going to enjoy watching these two do their best performance of "Rock'em Sock'Em Robots" on Saturday night; and I have a feeling most of you will enjoy it as well. This one will not be pretty, but neither was that one girl you slept with in college; and while you may not want to admit it publicly, you at least know in the back of your mind that she gave you one hell of a ride. Look at it this way, at least when the fight's over you won't have to avoid pesky phone calls for the next month while worrying if anyone saw her leave your apartment.

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