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BENT: Previewing UFC 99 - Ben Saunders vs. Mike Swick
Jun 9, 2009 - 6:28:08 PM BENT: Previewing UFC 99 - Ben Saunders vs. Mike Swick

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The next bout of the evening takes place in the welterweight division, and is between two promising prospects with ties to 'The Ultimate Fighter' as Ben "Berserk" Saunders is set to take on Mike "Quick" Swick. The original plan was for Saunders to face Marcus Davis, but the changes made have given us two much better bouts as Davis vs. Hardy and Saunders vs. Swick are both infinitely more competitive than would have been a Saunders vs. Davis tilt. This bout has no title implications and will not determine the next contender to get a crack at GSP's belt, but both men could be well on their way to making it a possibility soon. Saunders is really coming into his own and Swick seems to have found a comfortable home here at welterweight, and what we have here serves as only further proof that Joe Silva is a superior matchmaker. Saunders vs. Swick makes sense on every single level.

Ben "Berserk" Saunders looks like a serial killer. Seriously. With his cheshire-cat grin and wild eyes coupled with the fact that he can kick your head off of your body makes him someone you definitely wouldn't want to have to face off against. The 26-year old came to be known by way of his time as a part of 'The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra,' and is riding a seven fight winning streak not including his bouts on the show.

Saunders dropped a unanimous decision to eventual runner-up Tommy Speer but it should be noted that he was so sick with the flu that it was a shock he was even able to compete. Ben was unable to even breathe through his nose, and having to fight with one's mouth wide open is not a recipe for success; but he can be thankful he didn't suffer a knockout or a broken jaw as a result. Fighters fight and Ben Saunders is indeed a fighter. Had he been a healthy one, however, it is likely history would have to be rewritten as it is a strong possibility he would have gone on to win the whole thing. The scary thing for Mike Swick and anyone else is that he is not only healthy now, but that in the time since appearing on the show, Saunders has become a much better striker than he ever was before.

Ben Saunders sports a career record of 7 wins against 0 losses to go along with 2 bouts which were ruled a draw. Of his wins, 3 have come by way of KO and 3 have come by submission. Saunders' is 3-0 inside of the UFC Octagon with wins over Dan Barrera, Ryan Thomas and Brandon Wolff. It is what he exhibited in the win over Wolff which shows his true progression as a dangerous striker, as he finished his foe off with knees from the clinch, and at least in this particular performance looked to be as proficient in the clinch as nearly anyone else in the UFC. Mike Swick will be his biggest test to date, but there is much to suggest that following this fight it might be Swick feeling the same way about "Killa B."

Mike "Quick" Swick had racked up an impressive record of 5-1 before joining the cast of the groundbreaking first season of 'The Ultimate Fighter.' How fitting it was that the only man to defeat him would also join him as Chris Leben made his way onto the show as well. There would be no such rematch on the horizon as Swick competed on this show as a light heavyweight before being submitted by eventual finalist Stephan Bonnar in the semifinals. Following this loss it was Swick making his UFC debut in a fashion which more than lived up to his nickname, as he blasted out Alex Schoenauer in twenty seconds to score the KO in their fight at 'The Ultimate Fighter Finale.' Swick's time as a light heavyweight would soon end as he dropped back down to his natural weight of 185 lbs.

Swick would go on to win four fights in a row before dropping a decision loss to Yushin Okami at UFC 69 and making his own decision to try his hand as a welterweight fighter. His first bout at the new weight was against Josh Burkman at 'UFC Fight Night 12' and Swick looked beyond emaciated at the lighter weight. Surprisingly, he was able to not only go the distance, but pull off the victory by way of majority decision, and he had passed his first test at welterweight. Swick would go on to score a unanimous decision victory over Marcus Davis at UFC 85 before finally showing us his ability to finish at this new weight by notching an explosive knockout over Jonathan Goulet at 'UFC:Fight for the Troops' in December of last year. Swick not only looked to be in better shape at this new weight, but showed he had lost none of his trademark power against Goulet and that he was ready for bigger and better things, the first of which will be his test against Ben Saunders at UFC 99.

Mike Swick's career record stands at 13 wins against only 2 defeats with 6 of these wins coming by way of KO and 3 by submission. The notable names on Swick's record are the aforementioned Marcus Davis, Josh Burkman, along with David Loiseau and Joe Riggs. Those who have bested Swick are the aforementioned Chris Leben and Yushin Okami. His victory over Jonathan Goulet is the best example of how far he has come as a fighter, and especially so at the weight of 170 lbs. as Goulet is not easy to finish and Swick blasted him out in mere seconds. He has retained his power, lost none of his trademark aggression and goes into every fight looking to finish his foe. In Saunders he shall be facing a mirror image of himself in the killer instinct department, and he will have to be at his very best or else he will be upset at UFC 99.

For Mike Swick to win this bout, he is going to have to hope that Saunders' nerves are a bit on edge and that his opponent feels overwhelmed due to fighting such a high profile fighter on the main card of such a major UFC PPV. Swick has finally figured things out at welterweight and no longer looks like he is nearing death or that flies should be circling his head since making this cut.

His strength is there but he no longer will enjoy the reach advantage, and this means that he should be somewhat cautious and at the very least cognizant of where he is at all times. Swick's advantage is his speed and he should use this to exploit Saunders, but he is going to have to change everything else as again he will not be having the customary reach advantage in this one. Swick needs to avoid the clinch, be sure to strike first and look to just win every single exchange. If he can do this then it is likely that he will force Saunders to make a late-round mistake and at that point capitalize on it and either force the stoppage or slap on his trademarked "Swickitine" and leave Ben with no choice but to tap.

This fight isn't about looking good for Swick, he just needs to notch this win in order to get into the mix at the top of the decision and while he should fight with the style that has made him successful it would be wise if his aggression would be more of the controlled variety in this tilt.

For Ben Saunders to win this fight he is going to have to forget where he is and who he is fighting and not allow the bright lights and main card slot to mess with his psyche. The clinch is only one aspect of his game and it is something Swick will likely be looking to avoid so Saunders should be looking to fight as the bigger man and impose his will while enjoying and exploiting the reach advantage he will enjoy.

Saunders is adept on the ground but there are too many mistakes he can make against a veteran such as Swick, and I would not advise him to spend too much time on the ground. Saunders will need to use his kicks to keep Swick off balance and be sure to utilize his elbows at any given opportunity.

It is likely that this fight will go at least into the second round, and I feel it is safe to assume that Swick will be forced to wade in against the taller opponent and that this could be the point in which Saunders gets him in the clinch. Swick is no Brandon Wolff, but I can see Saunders using his knees in the clinch just like he was riding a bike; and I don't care who the opponent is, those knees are deadly.

Bent's Prediction: Ben Saunders by 2nd Round TKO

My gut tells me to go with Swick as this will be the first true test for Saunders, but after reviewing all that I know and have seen, nothing suggests Ben will not be ready to pass with flying colors. I think what we have here is yet another stand-up war on a card which looks to be booked chock-full of them, and this one has the potential to be one of the most thrilling. Yes, Swick has shown himself to be on another level, but Saunders just hasn't had the chance to be tested, and I see him crumpling Swick in the clinch and forcing the referee to stop it soon after.

Yes, Ben Saunders is not exactly a UFC veteran, and the names of those he has beaten does not exactly read like a who's who, but I feel this is his chance to move up the ranks, notch a notable name on his belt and show everyone that he is indeed for real. Swick may not be taking this fight as seriously as he should be ,and Saunders is treating this one like the fight of his lifetime. This is why I predict that Saunders will prove victorious in what is just one of the more compelling bouts on this fantastic UFC 99 card.