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ROUNDTABLE: Predictions for Phil Davis vs. Anthony Johnson co-main event at UFC 172
Apr 24, 2014 - 3:00:43 PM
ROUNDTABLE: Predictions for Phil Davis vs. Anthony Johnson co-main event at UFC 172
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Can Anthony Johnson upset Phil Davis at UFC 172? Who wins that fight and how? And if Davis wins, can he move into title contention soon given the increased talking he's doing?


DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST

It's great to see Anthony Johnson back where he belongs rather than continue to waste his potential at WSOF. This is a great match-up and it's at a weight class that Johnson should have been in years ago. It still mesmerises me that he ever managed to fight at 170 lbs on the odd occasion he actually made weight. This is a very tough first fight back, but no time like the present to announce himself as a future title contender with a win over fellow contender, Phil Davis.

I give Johnson the advantage in the stand-up, but every other advantage goes to Davis, and that includes cardio. Johnson is an extremely competent grappler, but Davis is on another level. I only see Johnson winning via a flash knock-out in the early exchanges; because the longer the fight goes on, the easier it will be for Davis to take Johnson down. I enjoy watching both guys fight so this probably ends up a dull encounter with Davis securing a 30-27 decision victory.


RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Asusming Phil Davis is bright enough to watch Rumble's fight with Josh Koscheck (although Davis went to Penn State, so let's not assume intelligence, or shame, or a conscience), Davis should know that he can take Rumble down at will. Davis can't (God-willing) and won't win if the fight stays on the feet. If there is a God, Davis will trick himself into believing that since he was bale to semi-effectively strike with Vinny Magalhães that he can trade strikes with Johnson. The heart says Johnson knocks him down with a vicious head kick, but an incompetent referee allows Davis two minutes of twitching before forcing the fight to continue. Unfortunately, the brain is the pick here. Davis by decision.


KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Well as we've seen from Chael Sonnen and Nick Diaz, talking a big game can definitely help you get in some big fights that you may not fully deserve, so I think his talking and a solid win will without a doubt propel him in the rankings.

Rumble absolutely has a shot to win, but I think Davis and his wrestling prowess will simply be too much. I see Davis winning by submission.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I actually think "Rumble" Johnson wins this fight. I've largely been unimpressed with Davis. It doesn't help that he talks a lot of smack for a guy who wins by decision so much. And those decisions are largely dull affairs. I think Rumble knocks out Davis and makes a huge statement in his UFC return. If Davis wins, though, he has to win at least once more before getting a title shot. Alexander Gustafsson has the next title shot so Davis will have to win one more time against a good opponent to get a title shot.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Absolutely he can. But only if he turns into Daniel Cormier, otherwise he's going to wind up on his back and that's going to be that. I'm just being honest here - I hate Phil Davis but he's going to mangle rumble.


TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR

I'm pleased "Rumble" Johnson is back in the UFC, it's where he belongs. Having been released by the UFC and rightly so for missing weight on numerous occasions, he now seems to have this all under control by moving up not one, but two weight divisions! Since his release from the UFC, Johnson has gone undefeated in his six fights, finishing four of his opponents inside the distance.

Phil "Mr Wonderful" Davis will be Johnson's toughest opponent, since being defeated by Vitor Belfort prior to his release back in 2012. Davis has been in with some of the top level light heavyweights in the division, with wins over Alexander Gustafsson and more recently a unanimous decision over Lyoto Machida last time out.

If I'm going to pick a winner, I will have to give the edge to Phil Davis. His pure wrestling ability should be enough to grind out a win here. Though I'm not underestimating just how good Johnson is. Johnson will hold the edge when it comes to striking and pure knockout power, and if he can land one of those punches the upset could be on the cards. Davis is a very smart fighter and in my opinion won't give Johnson many chances to land a punch before he goes for the takedown, tiring Johnson out with ground and pound and maybe pulling off a submission victory.

A win for Phil Davis would put him in prime position for a number one contender spot. With Jones vs Teixeira headlining the main event, then the winner facing Alexander Gustafsson. Davis may have to go out and earn another victory before getting that title shot.


CASH NORMAN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I anticipate Anthony Johnson will indeed pull the upset by knocking out Phil Davis. Anthony Johnson is a very talented guy who is athletic, aggressive, explosive and has great striking. While Davis has improved his striking minimally, it is still rudimentary. Davis' game is still based on being a dominant and smothering wrestler.

Unless Davis has turned a corner on his striking, I think no matter if he wins, he will not get a title shot. Davis already has to wait for the outcome of Jones vs Texeira. In the unlikely event Jones loses to Teixeira they will most likely have an immediate rematch. Next in line is Alexander Gustafsson for a rematch followed by a potential matchup with Daniel Cormier, if everything goes according to plan. Based on all the above scenarios that would put Davis possibly two years out from a title shot.

The reason Phil Davis has not been a title contender thus far, is because no one cares about him. Davis has not done much of anything to garner fan support to see him in a title fight. Even Davis' trash talk is feeble and uninspired. Davis throws out taunts a geeky younger brother would say to aggravate his older sibling. While he has increased the trash talk, if you want to call it that, he still has to fight in a manner which makes fans want to see him. Speaking as a fan, I am excited to see the return of Anthony Johnson and he just happens to be facing Phil Davis.

[Phil Davis art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]


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