UFC 112: Main Card Preview
In a couple of short days, the UFC will be making its debut in the Middle East, as it broadcasts UFC 112 from Abu Dhabi. Today, we break down the main card, featuring three legends of the sport, a former Ultimate Fighter winner, and two titles fights.
Kendall Grove (11-6 1NC) vs. Mark Munoz (7-1)
Just two and a half years ago, Kendall Grove was one of the brightest prospects at 185. Fresh off winning The Ultimate Fighter 3, Grove used his lanky build and plus Brazilian jiu-jitsu game to build an 8-3 record. Since then, Grove has fallen back to the pack and is just 3-3 over his last six fights with a jaw that should be labeled "Handle with Care." Grove's strength lays on the ground, where he has 7 submission victories to his name. Despite Munoz's wrestling ability, look for him to try and keep the fight there.
Mark Munoz, aka The Phillipino Wrecking Machine, will be an interesting matchup for Kendall Grove, as he possesses a solid striking and wrestling background. Munoz's lone loss came in the octagon against Matt Hamill, who delivered a highlight reel head kick that left Munoz unconscious and in a neck brace. Despite his wrestling background, Munoz will struggle to keep Grove on the mat due to 'Da Spyder's' length.
Look for…
…Munoz to keep the fight standing and try to capitalize on Grove's weak chin. If the fight does go to the mat, however, Grove has the clear advantage with his BJJ background.
What We Think:
Rich Keefe – Mark Munoz def. Kendall Grove via TKO in Round 1
Nick Cattles – Kendall Grove def. Mark Munoz via Submission in Round 3
Josh Deering – Kendall Grove def. Mark Munoz via Submission in Round 2
Smitty – Mark Munoz def. Kendall Grova via TKO in Round 1
Terry Etim (14-2) vs. Rafael dos Anjos (13-4)
How many men can say they've had one of their matches refereed by Mike Tyson? Terry Etim comes out of the UK with some serious jiu-jitsu, winning 9 of his first 10 professional fights by submission (oh and the remaining fight was a KO victory). Etim is a veteran of 7 fights in the octagon, most recently defeating Shannon Gugerty via guillotine. After suffering the first two losses of his MMA career a couple of years ago, Etim has been on a four fight winning streak, using his lanky body to aid his ground game.
Like Etim, Rafael dos Anjos possesses a deadly ground game consisting of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and wrestling. Dos Anjos has struggled since coming over to the UFC from Brazil, but currently, he is on a two fight win streak and will look to make it three in a row. In his two wins, his game plan has changed, wearing down Rob Emerson with leg kicks and controlling the fight from there and grinding out a victory on the mat against Kyle Bradley. Dos Anjos is hoping for the same results on Saturday.
Look for…
…Etim to utilize his 7 inch height advantage to control the fight. Despite their lack of KOs, both men possess decent striking, and if Etim can keep dos Anjos at bay, he can take this fight. If he wants to win, he will need to do so, as dos Anjos' black belt in BJJ should keep Etim's lethal submissions at bay.
What We Think:
Rich Keefe – Terry Etim def. Rafael dos Anjos via Submission in Round 1
Nick Cattles – Terry Etim def. Rafael Dos Anjos via Unanimous Decision
Josh Deering – Rafael dos Anjos def. Terry Etim via Unanimous Decision
Smitty – Terry Etim def. Rafael dos Anjos via Unanimous Decision
Matt Hughes (43-7) vs. Renzo Gracie (13-6-1 1NC)
For years, Matt Hughes was the face of the welterweight division, holding the belt on two separate occasions for a total of 4 years. Now a fighter clearly in the twilight of his career, Hughes takes his superior wrestling ability into this fight in hopes of one last run at the WW title. While not the same fighter that dominated the UFC for so long, Hughes is coming off of an important win over rival Matt Serra, and with a win on Saturday, he could be right back in the mix at 170.
Unfortunately, the best thing Renzo Gracie has going for him is his last name. While the Gracie name carries a lot of weight in the world of mixed martial arts, Renzo is a man past his prime who is looking for one more shot in the UFC. But make no mistake…with a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo, Gracie is no pushover. Renzo can be a very dangerous fighter if the fight reaches the mat.
Look for…
…vintage Matt Hughes to make his return. Many think that the future Hall of Famer is all out of bullets, but in a fight against a man who is actually older than him and has never reached the level that Hughes was at, we could get one more glimpse at a future hall of famer doing what he does best.
What We Think:
Rich Keefe –Matt Hughes def. Renzo Gracie via Unanimous Decision
Nick Cattles – Matt Hughes def. Renzo Gracie via Unanimous Decision
Josh Deering – Matt Hughes def. Renzo Gracie via TKO in the Round 1
Smitty – Matt Hughes def. Renzo Gracie via TKO in Round 2
BJ Penn (15-5-1) vs. Frankie Edgar (11-1)
What more can be said about BJ Penn? No fighter has a more appropriate nickname than 'The Prodigy.' A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, future hall of famer, and champion at two different weight classes, BJ Penn has yet to taste defeat in the lightweight division. He hasn't even been challenged. The path to victory over BJ is through his jaw, yet even so, BJ has shown that he can take a punch. If he wins this fight, it could be the last time we see the champ at 155.
This fight is almost unfair to Frankie Edgar, as few people are giving him a shot. Despite the long odds, Edgar is a worthy competitor and a damn good fighter in the lightweight division. With an 11-1 record, his only loss came against the king of the unanimous decision, Gray Maynard. A wrestler in college and a purple belt in BJJ, 'The Answer' is very dangerous when he gets his opponents on the ground. Unfortunately for him, he is facing a legend on the mat.
Look for…
…Edgar to fight hard, not give up, and have it just not be enough. BJ Penn is too good, and after this fight, he should make a run at the welterweight title. Edgar will remain in the mix as long as he keeps doing what he is doing, but as long as BJ Penn fights at 155, that title isn't going anywhere.
What We Think:
Rich Keefe –BJ Penn def. Frankie Edgar via Submission in Round 3
Nick Cattles – BJ Penn def. Frankie Edgar via Submission in Round 2
Josh Deering – BJ Penn def. Frankie Edgar via Submission in Round 3
Smitty – BJ Penn def. Frankie Edgar via Submission in Round 4
Anderson Silva (25-4) vs. Demian Maia (12-1)
Currently, Anderson Silva is the best fighter in the world. Period. No fighter has dominated the sport like Anderson Silva has since he joined the UFC in 2006. Currently, Silva is the best Muay-Thai practitioner in mixed martial arts and might be the most dangerous man standing up in the sport. On top of that, he is a black belt in three different disciplines: Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, and tae kwon do. As mentioned in our championship profile last week, Anderson Silva is the Michael Jordan of MMA.
Like Frankie Edgar, Demian Maia might not get a fair shake in his fight, simply because of who his opponent is. Maia is one of the most dangerous grapplers in the world, possessing a second degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and an endless resume of grappling and jiu-jitsu championships. In fact, he may be the greatest practitioner in BJJ in mixed martial arts right now. But he is largely a one dimensional fighter, and Anderson Silva's ground game is good enough to where he should be able to avoid Maia's strength.
Look for…
...Anderson Silva to keep this fight standing up and to take away the one thing Maia has going for him. The difference between these two standing up is immeasurable (think about going toe to toe with Tiger Woods on the golf course…and you have to play lefty…into a 30mph wind…and no mistresses to distract him). Hopefully this will be the last fight before we get an Anderson Silva vs. Georges St. Pierre superfight.
What We Think:
Rich Keefe –Anderson Silva def. Demian Maia via TKO in Round 2
Nick Cattles – Anderson Silva def. Demian Maia via TKO in Round 3
Josh Deering – Anderson Silva def. Demian Maia via TKO in Round 1
Smitty – Anderson Silva def. Demian Maia via TKO in Round 1
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