Preview: UFC On FOX 6
DALLAS (105.3 THE FAN) - A Flyweight championship fight, Rampage Jackson's last appearance in the UFC and a Lightweight title eliminator highlight the UFC's sixth appearance on FOX. Can anyone catch up to Demetrious Johnson? Will Rampage go out with a bang? Will we finally get an Anthony Pettis vs. Benson Henderson rematch? All of these questions will be answered between 7p-9p CT Saturday night on FOX.
Fastest Fight ever?
In Saturday night's main event Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson (16-2-1 MMA, 4-1-1 UFC) puts his Flyweight title on the line against challenger and TUF 14 winner John Dodson (14-5 MMA, 3-0 UFC). Johnson became the UFC's first ever Flyweight champion by winning a four man tournament where he defeated two perennial top 5 flyweights in Ian McCall( draw in first fight before winning immediate rematch) and Joseph Benavidez.
Johnson's ability to confuse his opponents with possibly the best footwork in all of MMA combined with a very unpredictable and aggressive offensive attack reminds me of the way that boxer Floyd Mayweather is able to defeat his opponents through great defense and calculated offense. John Dodson will be the fastest fighter that I believe Johnson has faced and he brings power in his hands that most flyweights just do not possess.
Can Dodson catch up to Johnson and connect with one of those power punches? Will Mighty Mouse continue to run through the flyweight division and defend his title for the first time?
My Prediction: Demetrious Johnson retains his Flyweight title via Unanimous Decision in what I feel may be a very hard fight to keep up with when it comes to scoring
Rampage vs. Chuck's Liddell's Padawan
Rampage Jackson (32-10 MMA, 7-4 UFC) is fighting for the last time in the UFC Saturday night when he faces one of the Light Heavyweight division's future superstars in Glover Teixeira (19-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC). Rampage has openly voiced his displeasure with the matches that the UFC has put him in. He defeated wrestler Matt Hammill in not so impressive fashion and lost a decision to another impressive wrestler in Ryan Bader. Both matchups seemed to frustrate the former champion.
In my opinion Rampage Jackson does not have anything to complain about. He was given a title shot against Chuck Liddell after winning only one fight in the UFC. He was given a title shot against Jon Jones after a 2 fight winning streak later in his UFC career.
Rampage is again matched up with what looks to be one of the best grapplers in the Light Heavyweight division in Glover Teixeira. Teixeira has opened his UFC career with a two fight winning streak where he has showcased an impressive ground game combined with consistently improved boxing. Teixeira trains at THE PIT which is a camp that was made famous former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell. Liddell has openly said that Teixeira is going to be a future UFC champion since well before his camp mate ever entered the Octagon which has made a fight fan like myself really look forward to a matchup with Teixeira and one of MMA's elite.
Rampage Jackson is still one of the biggest stars that the UFC has on its roster. The UFC may not openly admit it but this fight was put on this card to take advantage of the name Rampage Jackson and hopefully build up a future super start and PPV draw in Teixeira.
Will Teixeira stand and trade with Rampage or will he look to take advantage of what should be a big advantage on the ground? Did Rampage put in the work required to go the distance with a fighter as aggressive in all areas as Teixeira?
My Prediction: Glover Teixeira dominates Quinton "Rampage" Jackson by 3rd round TKO via ground and pound. Rampage goes on to boxing and does just fine. Teixeira ready for a superstar that hasn't given up on MMA career
Cowboy vs. Showtime for a shot at the belt
Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone (19-4 MMA, 6-1 UFC) and Anthony "Showtime" Pettis (15-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) are two of the most exciting fighters in all of MMA. Both fighters bring an aggressive stand up approach combined with a well-rounded ground game that includes a creative submission attack from both fighters. This fight is going to be fun! Both fighters know that an impressive performance that ends with a win puts them in line to challenge for the Lightweight championship which means a matchup with either Benson Henderson or Gilbert Melendez.
Pettis is of course famous for his "Showtime Kick" (that is the one where the dude jumps of the cage like Bruce Le) of the now champion Henderson in the WEC's last fight. Cerrone lives like an X-games athlete, he spends his off time wakeboarding and rock climbing. He lives and trains on a ranch. He wears a cowboy hat on his way out to the Octagon…..the dude is cool and seems like he would make a great Texan if he made that very smart choice.
These fighters are evenly matched in almost every area. Slight advantages go to Pettis when the fight is standing since he is more calculated with his offensive approach while Cerrone will not wait for Pettis to bring the fight to him. Expect Cerrone to be aggressive from the beginning in an effort to keep Pettis from getting comfortable and setting up what can be a very creative offensive attack at any moment. Cerrone will have a slight advantage when the fight is on the ground and he should be the only one of the two that may look to take his opponent to the mat. That element helps to favor Cerrone if this fight goes the distance.
My Prediction: Pettis is able to use Cerrone's offensive aggression against him and finishes Cowboy off via 2nd round KO to earn a title shot.
Check out the UFC on FOX post fight show with me and Richard Hunter live on 105.3 THE FAN Saturday night 10p-12a. We will break down Saturday night's action, look ahead to next week's Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar title fight and we will get into what should be next for Anderson Silva.
You can follow me on twitter @mmamiked and you can follow Richard @RichardHunter
Enjoy The Fights!
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