...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!
By: Tom Strong, MMATorch UK Contributor
After scoring record breaking viewing figures on Fox Sports 1 in Boston last weekend with UFC Fight Night 59, the UFC returns to Stockholm, Sweden this Saturday at the Tele2 Arena for UFC on Fox 14. The main event will be headlined by Sweden's Alexander Gustafsson against #3 ranked light heavyweight Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson, with the winner next in line to face Jon Jones for the UFC Light Heavyweight Title.
Sweden will have a chance to set its own record this weekend for the highest attendance ever in Europe, and the second highest attendance in UFC history (behind UFC 129 with George St-Pierre vs. Jake Shields) with an expected attendance of between 25,000 and 30,000 fans.
In the co-main event, Dan Henderson makes his middleweight return when he faces Gegard Mousasi. Both fighters are coming off submission losses and will be looking to get back to their winning ways. Additionally, Phil Davis and Ryan Bader go head to head in another top light heavyweight bout with a chance to get in the title mix, while featherweights Akira Corassani vs. Sam Sicilia will be kicking off the main card.
Main Event Predictions (FOX, 8pm ET/5pm PT)
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Anthony Johnson:
This fight really is mouth watering! Both fighters at the top of their game and within touching distance of fighting for the ultimate prize, a shot at Jon Jon and for the UFC Light Heavyweight Title.
Gustafsson had a “coming of age” moment at UFC 165 when he narrowly lost to Jon Jones for the title. Many, including myself, had Gustafsson winning the fight, and was very unfortunate not to get the decision. Since then, he's only stepped back inside the Octagon once, defeating Jimi Manuwa via second round TKO. Still, he looked very impressive in handing the Englishman his first professional defeat.
Since his release from the UFC, Anthony Johnson has rebuilt his career, and he's now found his natural home at light heavyweight. At this point, we're all seeing the benefits of him not having to cut down to 170 lbs. Now he's looking very strong and healthy, and in his victory over against Phil Davis last time out, he showed going three hard rounds wasn't as issue for his cardio.
Gustafsson will have the height advantage, though the reach difference between both fighters is a lot less than I expected at only an inch. Johnson's best chances may come within the first couple of rounds when he's fresh and carrying the punching power, anything past the third round I feel his cardio will fade and Gustafsson may take the fight away from him.
I fully expect this fight to stay standing in early stages of he fight, with Gustafsson pressing the action in the hope of Johnson tiring in the later rounds. Then I expect Gustafsson to take full advantage by taking Johnson down and looking for the submission which is Johnson's Achilles heel.
I'm favouring Gustafsson to get the job done late in the fight, if he can get Johnson into the championship rounds where his punching power will be limited, we may see a late stoppage.
Still, it wouldn't surprise me at all if we see something very special from Anthony Johnson with him becoming the number one contender with a victory!
Prediction - Alexander Gustafsson by SUB in the fourth round
Dan Henderson vs. Gegard Mousasi:
The big question is: how much does Dan Henderson have left in the tank? The drop down to middleweight will no doubt suit Henderson better than at light heavyweight, but he's just not the fighter he once was. If it wasn't for the 'H' bomb he found in his fight against Shogun Rua, a fight in which he was getting totally dominated for two rounds, he would be on a five fight losing streak. This is what makes Henderson so dangerous while the fight is still live.
Gegard Mousasi is technically a very good boxer, and if he can keep the fight at range picking Henderson off with the jab, he could make this a long night for Henderson. Though Mousasi does get hit, and it will only take one punch from Henderson to turn the fight on it's head.
Betting wise, I really like the value offered on Henderson. But this isn't the Henderson of old, and my head and heart are telling me this fight isn't going his way.
Prediction - Gegard Mousasi by decision
Phil Davis vs. Ryan Bader:
While I'm not the biggest fan of Ryan Bader, you have to be impressed with his wins over Anthony Perosh, Rafael Cavalcante, and Ovince St. Preux, but this fight is a step up in calibre for Bader. Phil Davis got back to the win column after his heavy defeat to Anthony Johnson with a dominating win over Glover Teixeira in October 2014.
Is there anything Bader can do that Phil Davis can't do, and better? I'm not sure, Davis' stand up has improved, and unless Bader can catch Davis with a surprise, this fight could be one way traffic for three rounds. I hope it's more competitive than I'm expecting, but I'm fearing the worst, not just for Bader, but also for the fans!
Style-wise I'm not expecting this fight to set the place alight, it could be a long drawn out affair with unrest from the fans.
Prediction - Phil Davis by decision
Akira Corassani vs. Sam Sicilica:
Somewhat of a surprise fight to start the main card; it could work out to be a very entertaining bout between two well matched featherweights, or it could stink the place out. Neither Corassani nor Sicilia are not exactly ripping up trees in the featherweight division, but they will put it all on the line to entertain the fans.
Corassani isn't the biggest puncher, but he can't help but get involved in a stand up battle if the opportunity arises, and this could be his downfall. Sicilia does have punching power, and if Corassani decides to trade punches, this fight could be over very early. Corassani has to avoid the punches and get the fight to the ground, then I fancy his chances of getting the job done. That said, I have a feeling he will want to put on a show for the fans, and it won't end well for him.
This is a very tough fight to predict a winner, and if you're thinking of betting on this fight I would leave it well alone.
Prediction - Sam Sicilica by KO in the first round
Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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