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By: Griffin Marsh, MMATorch Contributor
With UFC 117 just around the corner and the fight card being one of, if not the best fight cards of the year, I wanted to use my column this week to do a run down on all of the fights on the PPV card. After a lackluster performance at UFC 112, Anderson Silva looks to defend his Middleweight Championship in the night's main event, against a challenger whose bark seems to be much worse than his bite. Junior Dos Santos and Roy Nelson, in what promises to be an exciting fight, will slug it out for the chance to face the winner of the Brock Lesnar-Cain Velasquez fight later this year. From top to bottom this card is stacked with exciting fights, as well as fights that have solid, legitimate meaning in their respective division’s title race.
Roy Nelson vs. Junior Dos Santos: This is by far the biggest fight of the night, outside of the main event. The winner of this fight will automatically be awarded a shot at the UFC Heavyweight Champion, be it Brock Lesnar or Cain Velasquez come October. I feel strongly that JDS should be the favorite in this fight but would not be surprised in the least if Roy Nelson finds a way to win. Dos Santos is the superior striker and will look to keep the fight standing. I think Roy knows the way to win this fight is to take it to the ground. If Dos Santos can keep the fight standing, he should knockout Big Country fairly easy. If Roy can get the takedown consistently and control the Noguiera brown-belt, he should find himself with his hands raised at the end of the night. I think JDS is far too quick and powerful for Roy in the striking department and feel that he will be able to keep the fight standing.
Marsh’s pick: JDS 2nd Rd TKO
Matt Hughes vs. Ricardo Almeida: I think this is a VERY intriguing fight. I know Matt Hughes is a shade of the dominant champion he was earlier in the decade, and that an Almeida decision victory is highly likely, but I still see the potential for fireworks in this fight. I think both men will come to win this fight decisively. Matt Hughes has the punching power, wrestling and cardio to defeat Ricardo and will be looking to prove he still belongs in the octagon. Most of Almeida’s wins are decision victories, and none are by knockout. I think Almeida will come out and do all he can to finish Hughes. Regardless of what Joe Rogan says during the countdown show, Almeida is not a good striker, and if he is better than Renzo Gracie, I am not convinced it's by much. Almeida is, however, a huge welterweight and a superb grappler. This fight most likely will take place on the mat and I just do not see Hughes being able to muster any kind of offense.
Marsh’s pick: Almeida Submission 3rd RD
Clay Guida vs. Rafael Dos Anjos: I feel this match is a good one for Clay Guida. Rafael Dos Anjos is an excellent grappler and a credible black-belt in BJJ. But he has never defeated a top fighter, nor beaten a fighter with the wrestling ability and cardio of Clay Guida. Guida is a lion and has the heart of a warrior. I do not see RDA being able to win this fight in the striking department and I feel Guida will just be too much for him on the ground. I do not see RDA being able to keep up with Guida, and see Clay keeping the pace high while grinding out a decision. With a Guida win, Clay will remain a journeyman fighter in the UFC and be one of the fighters that “up and coming” fighters are matched with to determine their legitimacy. With a RDA win, Dos Anjos will climb the lightweight ranks and look for more legitimate competition.
Marsh’s Pick: Clay Guida by Unanimous Decision
Jon Fitch vs. Thiago Alves: First of all, I couldn’t reiterate enough how great it is Thiago has come back from his battle with the abnormality in his brain. Regardless of MMA, it’s a true blessing to see him pull through the situation and return to the octagon. Thiago is a vicious striker and has better take down defense than what he showed in the GSP fight (GSP can take anyone down at will, so you can’t really knock Thiago for getting put on his back repeatedly during that fight). I think Thiago can definitely win the standup aspect of the fight and can knock Fitch out, should he be able to keep the fight standing. As we all know, Fitch’s style is absolutely boring but you cannot deny success. All the guy does is win fights and win them convincingly. I think Thiago’s chance in this fight is to keep the fight standing and knockout Fitch early. The longer the fight goes, the more likely Fitch will get the fight to the mat and win the decision. In the end, I don’t think Thiago can knock Fitch out and see Jon cruising to another dominate, yet boring decision.
Marsh’s Pick: Jon Fitch by boring Unanimous Decision
Middleweight Championship
Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen: Chael Sonnen is a man that has never been in the MMA spotlight. He knows his fight with Anderson is his “15-minutes of fame” and he’s trying to get his name etched into as many fans/promotion exec’s minds as he possibly can. Chael Sonnen has talked more “smack” in the pre-hype than I have heard any other fighter say in all my years of watching MMA. The guy has made comments from Anderson being a phony, to Anderson being too scared to look him in the eyes, to the Lance Armstrong comments. And might I add, Chael now is bold face lying to everyone in the MMA world saying he never made the comments about Armstrong; and when confronted with the audio of the 45-min interview, claims an impersonator made the comments. I will not even go into the absurdity of any of his comments because they really doesn’t matter. What does matter , is that tomorrow night he will have to fight Anderson. All of the hot air coming out of Chael’s mouth will have no relevance on the fight once the octagon doors close. Anderson is the best fighter in the history of MMA. He will have no problems disposing of an inferior opponent. This fight most likely will be a lot like the Anderson Silva/Forrest Griffin fight. Anderson should dominate and win very easily.
Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
STAFF COLUMNISTS: Shawn Ennis - Jason Amadi
Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
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