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BENT: Previewing UFC 99 - Cheick Kongo vs. Cain Velasquez
Jun 10, 2009 - 9:32:36 AM BENT: Previewing UFC 99 - Cheick Kongo vs. Cain Velasquez

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We were supposed to see Cain Velasquez vs. Heath Herring as a part of UFC 99, but when Herring was forced to withdraw from the card it was Cheick Kongo who stepped in to replace him and make this an even better fight. Herring obviously would have been a tough test for Velasquez, but that was a match up which could have served to make it appear as if Herring were just no longer the fighter he once was. Had Velasquez beaten Herring it would have caused critics to declare the "Texas Crazy Horse" as washed up rather than annoint the winner as a force to be reckoned with in the divison. Against Kongo he will now be going against the fighter most seem to think should be right up there for a title shot along with the winner of Nogueira-Couture. What Kongo lacks in grappling ability he makes up for in droves with his striking, and as a result Velasquez is in for what is most definitely the toughest test of his career to date.

Cain Velasquez was a highly decorated amateur wrestler who has successfully transitioned into being a mixed martial artist who finishes his fights with his fists rather than his grappling prowess. From his performances inside of the cage it would seem like he is a brawler first and everything else second, but Velasquez was a state champion at the high school level as well as a national champion on the junior college level, to go along with having twice received All-American honors while attending and competing for Arizona State. Cain can wrestle, and better than most heavyweights out there, but this has so far been the least of his opponents' worries. For now, Velasquez takes people down with punches and puts them away.

Cain Velasquez' career record stands at an unblemished 5 wins against no defeats with all 5 wins coming by way of KO. The only really notable names that the American Kickboxing Academy product has bludgeoned are the highly touted Jake O'Brien and Denis Stojnic, who he most recently dismantled at 'UFC Fight Night 17' in February. Stojnic was significant for being the first opponent to survive a full round with Velasquez and take him into the deep waters of the second round. Stojnic also did little more than curl up into the fetal position and take a beating, but what a beating he absorbed in lasting more than five minutes. Cain Velasquez needs to be tested, and while Heath Herring could have been a fine fight for him and good in a grappling sense, it is a knock down and drag out war with Cheick Kongo on the feet that will do more in telling us just how real of a contender he is. There is no doubt that Velasquez is a good prospect, but if he beats Kongo it will elevate him into the mix for the championship; and for a fighter who will turn 27 in July this is a scary thought for everyone in the UFC heavyweight division.

Cheick Kongo is a brutally proficient striker with a kickboxing base who looks to finally be fighting up to his potential. He is currently training as a member of the Wolfslair MMA Academy of the United Kingdom, and is joined by such luminaries as Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Michael "The Count" Bisping. Kongo was most recently trained by Juanito Ibarra but has changed his scenery, and the results have been staggering. Kongo will never be a world class grappler, and lost his bout at UFC 82 to Heath Herring in part because of this, but if the Wolfslair can improve his ground game at all it will make him exponentially more dangerous. A Cheick Kongo who can keep things standing is a Cheick Kongo who can be the last man standing no matter who he happens to face inside of the Octagon.

Cheick Kongo's career record stands at 14 wins against only 4 defeats with 1 bout being ruled as a draw. Of his 14 victories, 9 have come by way of KO and 2 by submission. Notable names Kongo holds victories over include the likes of Christian Wellisch, Assuerio Silva, Mirko Cro Cop and most recently Antoni Hardonk. Kongo had been on a run of bouts going the distance from his split decision loss to Carmelo Marrero at UFC 64 until his loss by similar means to Heath Herring at UFC 82, going 2-2 in the process.

Since the loss to Herring, Kongo has found his killer instinct and refined his striking abillities while learning ways of keeping the fight standing, and as such he is riding a three fight winning streak with all three bouts coming by way of definitive TKO. Clearly the level of competition has not been of championship caliber in Dan Evensen and Mostapha Al Turk, but he did what he had to do against both men and allowed neither to remain in there any longer then necessary. His victory over Hardonk at UFC 97 was to be a bit of a test for him, as Hardonk is somewhat of an elite striker in terms of at least kicks, and he was made to look like a fool by Kongo.

Cheick Kongo has been a bit of an underachiever for a long time, but it would appear as if he is finally poised to make good on all of his promise, although he will have to go through a prospect who wants to make a name by stopping him. Cheick Kongo just celebrated his 34th birthday and can ill afford a loss if he indeeds wishes to finally become the elite fighter most predicted he could be. A win will elevate one man to the championship and send another man back to the drawing board, but it is likely a stop at the hospital will need to be made first following this fight.

For Cheick Kongo to win this fight he is going to have to rely on his kickboxing skills and maintain distance between he and his opponent. He can ill afford to be taken down by Velasquez, and it would be in his best interest to try to inflict some early damage and either take advantage of a charging Velasquez or hope the cumulative damage adds up and equals a stoppage. This is a tough, tough task for Kongo, but he is going to have to show that in his 34th year that patience has become a virtue; and he must look to keep this fight from being a sprint if he wishes to come out victorious.

For Cain Velasquez to win this fight it is going to take him utilizing his superior grappling game and using this to take away all of Kongo's kickboxing. Both men can ground and pound, but I see Velasquez having the ability to enjoy and maintain top control, which will mean Kongo shall be eating a steady barrage of hammer fists should it go to the mats. Velasquez needs to take this victory in the same fashion which has served him well over his short but brilliant career so far.
This one is about imposing his will on Kongo and forcing him out of the way in order to make it to the top of this heavyweight division. Hardonk was able to be controlled with ease by Kongo, but the physical gifts of Velasquez could be way too much for him, and as such I think Cain needs to push this pace and hammer away from the opening seconds.

Bent's Prediction: Cain Velasquez by 1st Round TKO

This could be considered a huge upset, but in a year or so it will simply be remembered as the moment Velasquez truly arrived on the scene. Cain Velasquez has the wrestling ability to take Kongo down, the strength to control him and the punching power to knock him out. Cain Velasquez is for real and Cheick Kongo will simply be yet another fighter who will be able to tell you so.