This Saturday's upcoming UFC 109 event features some classic striker vs. grappler matchups that bring the potential for great success or failure when making predictions. Including a battle for bragging rights as two hall of famer's, Mark Coleman and Randy Couture finally meet in the nights main event, as well as fights to determine future contender status both for Mike Swick in the welterweight division, and Nate Marquardt in the middleweight class. Another possibility for fireworks showcases two aging fighters creeping up on retirement as Frank Trigg and Matt Serra look to rebound off losses and keep their careers afloat.
RANDY COUTURE VS. MARK COLEMAN
Finally meeting inside the cage are two legendary fighters with similar wrestling backgrounds and ground n pound fighting styles. While their paths to victory almost mirrored each other, albeit on different sides of the world, these two wrestlers have left a remarkable impact on the world of MMA as even Jiu-Jitsu fighters have found themselves vulnerable on the bottom. By successfully combining the most important aspects of wrestling; strength, size, cardio and cutting-weight, with a new form of "ground and pound" unique to the budding sport of Mixed Martial Arts, The Natural and The Hammer truly deserve their Hall of Fame status.
Since both fighters have the exact same strengths, look for them to exploit the others weakness, the striking game. While neither man is known for kicking, I think that could be a surprise factor here and possibly one of the only chances that Mark Coleman has. With a win over Tim Sylvia, Couture's boxing is better and I also give him the slight edge in the grappling department as well. In my opinion Coleman is over the hump heading downhill fast and stands little chance of winning unless he can keep it standing with leg kicks followed by hard punches.
If Randy Couture can land clean shots early then he will be able to change level at will and take down Coleman to grind out his usual unanimous decision victory. (Opinion - 80% chance of victory)
If Mark Coleman can land leg kicks to take Coleman out of his game while staying off his back then he can edge out a split decision. (Opinion 20% chance of victory)
NATE MARQUARDT VS. CHAEL SONNEN
While Nate Marquardt looks to earn a rematch with Anderson Silva after being snubbed in favor of Vitor Belfort, Chael Sonnen seeks to prove himself as a factor in the UFC's middleweight division. Both fighters also come from wrestling backgrounds though both Nate's striking and grappling are significantly better. Real champions only get better from losses and Nate has shown a dramatic improvement in his striking after a streak-ending loss to The Spider. Look for Sonnen to take Marquardt down while Nate wants to prove to himself, Silva, and the world that he can stand and trade.
If Chael Sonnen can somehow take Marquardt down then he can grind out a split decision victory. (Opinion - 15% chance of victory)
If Nate Marquardt can showcase the same striking power he finished Martin Kampmann and Wilson Gouveia with, then he can use his wrestling to stuff the takedown and punish Sonnen with uppercuts and knees for his effort. Nate has something to prove here and finishes early with a 3rd minute TKO in the first round. (Opinion - 85% chance of victory)
MIKE SWICK VS. PAULO THIAGO
After a loss in enemy territory to Dan Hardy, Mike "Quick" Swick looks to jump back to the top of the ladder for contention status over an equally hungry Paulo Thiago. Swick has better combos and should be able to smother Thiago with his blitz offense and also has a great guillotine choke to use if Thiago shoots in slow. With only one loss to Jon Fitch marring his record, Thiago has shown some strong punches with a TKO win over Josh Koscheck, but Swick doesn't just stick and move, he likes to throw heavy hands in volume that most opponents can't defend.
If Paulo Thiago can avoid the guillotine and take the fight to his comfort zone on the canvas, then he controls the fight to win a unanimous decision. (Opinion - 40% chance of victory)
If 'Quick" Swick can land his signature lightning-fast combos then he becomes the first man to finish Thiago with an early (2nd minute) TKO in the second round. (Opinion - 60% chance of victory)
MATT SERRA VS. FRANK TRIGG
Two fighters fast approaching the edge of the cliff look to stay in the UFC and possibly get one last shot at the belt. "Twinkletoes" Trigg should look to keep the fight standing and out-box the smaller Serra. Trigg's weakness in the past has been his Jiu-Jitsu defense with multiple losses via choke submissions and you can bet the bank that Serra will eventually get it to the ground and take advantage.
If Frank Trigg can fall back on his wrestling base to stay off the mat then he can use his reach to box with Serra and keep him out of takedown range to win a unanimous decision. (Opinion - 30% chance of victory)
If "The Terror" can get the fight to the ground then he uses his superior Jiu-Jitsu to put on a slick choke submission late (4th minute) in the second round. (Opinion - 70% chance of victory)
[Randy Couture art credit Cory Gould (c) MMATorch]
