Tag: Robert Whittaker

UFC 193’s main event will top a five-bout, pay-per-view card that will go live at 10pm EST.

The UFC does not believe in coincidences. They planned this PPV card perfectly. Their strategy of placing Women’s MMA on its well-deserved pedestal will come on full display at UFC 193.

It’s no coincidence hat the UFC is rolling out its Money maker, Ronda Rousey, in a relatively new UFC market in Australia. The stadium packs 70,000 seats and almost all tickets have been sold. The star power of Rousey is undeniable. But a new star is waiting in the wings. More on that below. And when it is all said and done, this new star can quite possibly takeover this show. More on that below.

This card is stacked with intrigue (Rousey vs Holm), a breakout star in the making (Uriah Hall), and fighters that you would question why they haven’t retired yet (Mark Hunt vs Antonio Silva).

Here is my preview of the two title fights.

Ronda Rousey (c) vs Holly Holm

Ronda Rousey now has the reputation on being a ferocious finisher. Her ability to finish her opponents in a quick, clean fashion is second to none. This is likely the fight where Rousey will run into problems.
Vegas oddsmakers place Rousey as a 12:1 favorite. I have no idea what that means but it seemed important enough to put in here. For all of Rousey’s improvements in the standup department, Holm has the clear striking advantage by a wide margin.

Holm is, by definition, an out-fighter. Now, I realize I haven’t covered the intricacies of out fighting, so here is a concise explanation. The out-fighter seeks to maintain a gap from their opponent and fight with faster, longer range punches and kicks while being extremely quick on their feet by cutting angles and circling, which often makes up for a lack of power. Think Muhammad Ali or Lyoto Machida.

“Stick and Move” is Holly Holm’s game. Her foot speed is excellent, and it’s difficult to keep up with her as she moves, drops a few punches, then moves, throws a punch-kick combo, then moves again. This is exactly the gameplan that can give Rousey problems. Holly Holm can make you pay if charge in like a raging bull… which is what made Rousey millions of dollars. I see this fight is one in which the uber aggressive Rousey charges after Holm for several rounds, eating clean punches and kicks as Holm continues to move and cut angles. Eerily similar to how the Rampage Jackson vs Forrest Griffin fight went. Holly Holm can win this fight.

I am picking Rousey via unanimous decision but it wouldn’t shock me if Holm won. She will need to fight smart.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk (c) vs Valerie Letourneau

Enter the UFCs breakout star. Okay so it is no surprise that I am slightly obsessed with the Polish champ. I’ve covered her striking expertise already so I won’t bore you with my obsession. The champ has a challenger in Valerie Letourneau who plays right into her strengths. Valerie is a former bantamweight (135lbs) so her size advantage is a point of intrigue. We have all been witnesses to what Jędrzejczyk can do when she is able to let her hands fly – I have previously stated that she is the best striker in the UFC. It is like watching Emeril Lagasse cook: pure magic. That is why Letourneau needs to get this fight to the ground as quickly as possible. I don’t see that happening.

The champ is just too quick. Third round TKO win for the champ.

Antonio Silva vs. Mark Hunt

This will be a depressing fight as memories of “once was” with these heavyweights will certainly bring on the nostalgia. Where will I be when I am 40? Will I be reliving off of past glory like these two? What will my future kids be like? If the #2 pencil is the most popular, why is it still number two? Where exactly is Waldo?

Anywho…

Back in 2013, these two heavyweights put on one of the greatest matches of all time. It ended in a draw, so a rematch was the next logical decision to make. But “Bigfoot” Silva failed a post fight drug test and was suspended for a year and hasn’t looked the same since. Quite honestly, neither has Mark Hunt. With a combined age of 77, I’m sure you all have one question: Why haven’t these heavyweights retired yet? Great question!

With a very thin Heavyweight division, no fighter is more than three victories away from a potential title shot. Believe it or not, win this fight and the next, then you have a potential contender.

You may as well set the whole division ablaze at that point. 2015 has not been kind to either fighter as they have looked every bit of the 36yrs old and 41 yr old respectively. With TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) now banned, Antonio Silva hasn’t looked the same. Was it cheating…more on that at another time. This will not be as good as their 2013 classic. Being that this is a Heavyweight fight, don’t expect this to go the distance. Someone is getting knocked out.

Mark Hunt via second round TKO.

Uriah Hall vs. Robert Whittaker

I am real excited for this fight. Both fighters are coming off of spectacular KOs, so the competitiveness will be there. Both are excellent strikers with good wrestling to counteract. I can see this going either way. Both are pretty even fighters, but Hall is the better counter striker with better footwork.

Uriah Hall via Unanimous Decision.

Jared Rosholt vs. Stefan Struve

This is an interesting fight. Probably the only time where I can honestly say that I have no idea what will happen. Struve is a 7ft tall 265lbs mountain with an 84-inch reach, and hasn’t really learned how to use it until recently. Rosholt is a three-time All-American Division I wrestler, so this will need to be his key to victory. When he takes you down, he is more content to lay on you and try to gain a dominant position (and do nothing be than ground-and-pound.

Because Struve’s cardio has always been suspect, I am picking Rosholt via Unanimous Decision in a very boring fight.