The Future of Fighting Blog

Wednesday, April 15, 2009
by Tomas Rios (trios@sherdog.com)

17008

Our neighbors to the north play host to some quality mixed martial arts at UFC 97 “Redemption” this Saturday at the Bell Centre in Montreal, as the event serves up our latest fix of fighting goodness from UFC President Dana White and Company. The headliner features the return of pound-for-pound luminary Anderson Silva, who defends his middleweight crown against fellow countryman and grappling ace Thales Leites.

If that ballet of violence does not sate your fistic appetite, other featured bouts include top Brazilian light heavyweight prospect and mean face champion Luis Arthur Cane taking on World Extreme Cagefighting import Steve Cantwell. Throw in a clash of European kickboxers and the UFC debut of a war hero, and you have one more reason to clean out your bank account and buy that 65-inch LCD in time for the pay-per-view.

Precision prognostication and financial follies follow, all courtesy of the man who once thought Alan Greenspan was the same guy who played the title role in “Leprechaun.”

17008

Stephen Martinez/Sherdog.com

Thales Leites is unlikely
to have his hand raised
vs. Anderson Silva at UFC 97.

UFC Middleweight Championship
Anderson Silva vs. Thales Leites

The Breakdown: The latest entrant in the Silva sweepstakes, Leites is a slick grappler with dominating top control and the takedowns to back it up. In other words, Leites is the supposed prototype for beating Silva, a precision striker who thrives on turning his opponents’ faces into high-protein gruel while avoiding any unnecessary entanglements on the mat. If you’re wondering why Leites is the betting underdog, it’s because the mythic prototype for beating Silva may be as passé as driving a Hummer.

In bouts with Dan Henderson and Nate Marquardt, Silva proved he can not only survive on the ground but turn his opponents’ desperation to get him on the mat against them. Whether it be seizing on submission opportunities with unexpected vigor or uncorking cranium-crunching ground-and-pound, Silva’s overall offensive brilliance — not just his striking — is the Rubik’s cube of pain that awaits Leites. If Leites knows what’s good for him, the first part of his plan will be to bypass his borderline masochistic fetish for getting beat up by superior strikers; just watch his fights with Marquardt and Martin Kampmann.

From there, Leites’ takedowns and top control are, at least on paper, poison to Silva. The problem lies in whether or not Leites can actually hold down Silva long enough to win rounds or cinch a submission. Whoever came up with the idea that Silva will fall into a scorpion death lock the second he hits the mat needs to get his or her facts in order. If Leites manages the improbable, the task will not be easy.

The X Factor: Leites has the tools to beat Silva, but the same was said about many of the fighters the champion sent to the ER. This really boils down to mental and physical conditioning for Leites, as Silva is not the kind of fighter one can beat on paper. Style clashes and strategic nuances fall by the wayside when you’re faced with the sport’s pound-for-pound paragon, and Leites has come up small in huge spots before. It’s a flaw that has crippled many a career, but if Leites can overcome it, he may have Silva beat.

* * *

The Bottom Line: It’s hard to fathom Leites being the man to topple Silva. He only got this title shot thanks to Marquardt’s foul flurry in their UFC 85 match and the ongoing dearth of contenders in the division. Then again, strange circumstances play well in the stage of the unexpected that is combat sports. Expect the unexpected. Maybe Silva will wear a different T-shirt to the cage this time, or he could revive the Michael Jackson impersonator routine from his days in Pride Fighting Championships. Do not, however, expect a victory for Leites, who will make the mistake of trying to get Silva down from the clinch and end up with a face that looks like a Mr. Potato Head put together by a 3-year-old.

17008

Jeff Sherwood/Sherdog.com

Chuck Liddell (right) has long
been considered one of the
hardest fighters to take down.

Chuck Liddell vs. Mauricio Rua

The Breakdown: At just 27 years of age, one might view Rua as the young buck locking horns with the aging veteran. Instead, both men look to be on the back end of their careers. Age has taken its toll on Liddell, and injuries have transmuted the once dynamic Rua into a shell of his former self. With whispers of a ride on the bullet train to Pink Slip City being the consolation prize for the loser, these two need to get in touch with their former selves or risk becoming relics of the past.

“The Iceman” has lost a step, but most of his problems come from his rigid adherence to the style that once garnered him UFC gold. Liddell set out to address those issues by diversifying his training and getting in touch with his inner wrestler. Contrast that with Rua, who walks around on a pair of bum knees and looked like someone dumped a gallon of cigarette tar into his lungs in his fight with Mark Coleman at UFC 93. The style clash favors Liddell anyway, as he can easily stuff Rua’s takedowns and force him into a brawl.

The X Factor: The MMA community has heard for what seems like an eternity that Rua’s back to his old self. If anything, he has regressed, and the schedule he maintains seems to be at odds with a proper rehabilitation. A prime Rua could beat most anyone, and while the MMA community can hope he has a Lazarus-like resurrection in him, do not buy into the talk that this is the fight in which he rises from the dead.

* * *

Bottom Line: You have to be pretty skeptical about Rua’s chances. It wasn’t that long ago that a tremendous lightweight prospect named Javier Vazquez had to walk away from the game thanks to genetics granting him million-dollar talent and dollar-store knees. The song remains the same. Only this time, Rua will be the one playing it.

17008

Photo by Sherdog.com

Soszysnski makes a solid,
if unspectacular, gatekeeper.

Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Brian Stann

The Breakdown: A developing fighter who was badly exposed in his rematch with Steve Cantwell, Stann has emerged as a decent striker who has the power to mix it up effectively. The problem here is that Soszynski may have even more punching power than Stann, and he does not have to trade with Captain America redux to win. While Soszynski has no qualms about getting into firefights, his grappling is the high card Stann cannot match.

The X Factor: While Stann’s striking is far from fundamentally sound, Soszynski’s game consists of dropping his head and wading forward with overhand rights like a 5-year-old who refuses to take responsibility for where his punches land. The power and speed Soszynski dumps into the human windmill routine makes it effective, but Stann could thwart the tactic if he can work some angles and take away Soszynski’s base with leg kicks.

* * *

The Bottom Line: Besides a willingness to trade punches, Stann has not shown much else. Soszysnski makes for a solid, if unspectacular, gatekeeper. Overall, Stann does not have the power or technique to make Soszynski back off, and even if he did possess them, there’s nothing stopping the chrome dome Pole from planting Stann on his back and turning this into a jiu-jitsu seminar.

17008

Photo by Sherdog.com

Expect Kongo to hand out
an NC-17 rated beating.

Cheick Kongo vs. Antoni Hardonk

The Breakdown: Disheartened K-1 fans may finally get their kickboxing fix, as two of the best strikers in the heavyweight division will finally put fist to face in the Octagon. That’s the hope, since neither Kongo nor Hardonk has ever shown a taste for mat work. However, Hardonk is practically impotent on the ground, while Kongo has at least half an idea of what he’s doing when he leaves his feet. That’s plenty enough to beat Hardonk, who does not have the wrestling to stop basic takedowns. Consider Kongo’s vastly underrated ground-and-pound, and it looks like that dream kickboxing match may turn into an involuntary rhinoplasty, with Hardonk getting the Mickey Rourke special.

The X Factor: Pride can be a funny thing, and Kongo’s own ego may compel him to go after Hardonk on the feet. While it’s no given that Hardonk would carve up the Frenchman in short order, it’s hard to imagine Kongo’s spindly hind quarters holding up against the Dutchman’s precision leg kick assault. Kongo should spend the next few days locked in a room watching tape of Hardonk’s grappling follies and force the idea of any Jean Claude Van Damme-style showdowns out of his head.

* * *

The Bottom Line: Lots of people wonder what kind of fighter Hardonk would be if he just had some proper MMA training. Reality takes a backseat to fantasy here. Most will root for a fight that looks like Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed with high kicks, but we’ll probably get Kongo handing out an NC-17 rated beating instead.

17008

Photo by Sherdog.com

This will be a fun fight.

Steve Cantwell vs. Luis Arthur Cane

The Breakdown: This represents one of the night’s best style clashes, as Cantwell’s varied and unpredictable striking stands at odds with Cane’s backroom brawler approach. The key difference is that Cane can take punishment by the barrel and still come forward looking to unload. Cantwell is at his best when he has room to work, a luxury that Cane will not afford him. Also at play is Cane’s physical superiority. Appearance and past showings suggest he’s the stronger of the two, which is an advantage upon which the Brazilian’s style is built to capitalize.

The X Factor: In his match with Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou at UFC 89, Cane seemed to falter when Sokoudjou put pressure on him, and his recovery not so coincidentally came right after the Team Quest judoka’s gas tank hit empty. Fighters with a bully complex have been knocked down to Earth before, and Cantwell will not be an easy mark, as his active style makes him difficult to throttle. If Cantwell can find a rhythm early, it will be interesting to see how Cane reacts to a tough opponent who can make him work the full 15 minutes.

* * *

The Bottom Line: Of all the WEC imports, Cantwell is one of the best, but, as Carlos Condit recently learned, the UFC is not a place where past reputations carry any weight. The real problem, however, is that Cane’s rugged, close-quarters style is designed to suffocate his opponent’s offense, and Cantwell lacks the power to force him on the defensive. It should be a fun fight early, but it will not take long for Cane to start getting his maul on.

Wednesday, April 08, 2009
by Jason Probst (jprobst@sherdog.com)

16913

While other promotions falter and degenerate into the mixed martial arts’ rear view mirror, Strikeforce soldiers on, the little engine that most decidedly could.

That’s because the promotion consistently combines good matchups while building stars around a loyal Bay Area fan base. Saturday night’s card, headlined by the Frank Shamrock-Nick Diaz main event, is another solid addition to the MMA landscape. Here’s a breakdown of the main card, which will launch the promotion’s new deal with Showtime live from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

16913

Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Santos lives up to
her “Cyborg” moniker.

Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos vs. Hitomi Akano

The matchup
At 6-1, Santos is emerging as one of MMA’s handful of female stars, because she brings the ruckus as readily as the men do. With vicious striking and an aggressive style, she faces off against the submission savvy Akano, a veteran of the Japanese circuit, who has a 14-5 record with all losses coming by decision. She’s been beaten against better competition but the fact that she hasn’t been stopped — including a distance-going route against the exceptional Tara Larosa — shows she is a tough customer.

Keys to victory
Santos’ standup pretty much defines how successful she will be in this fight. While many female MMA competitors seem to lack the power and dynamism necessary to truly hurt foes, Santos is a notable exception. She strikes with impunity and well-crafted combinations. With 11 submissions in her 14 wins, Akano has to get the fight to the ground and work from there. If it stays standing, she is in trouble against “Cyborg.”

Intangibles
For Santos, sprawling and stuffing takedowns will be key. Athletic strikers often lose their edge when taken down and worked over for a bit — and if planted on her back, she’ll have to work efficiently to get back up. Akano has to be wary in the standup phase, but not so conservative that she is unwilling to engage and can’t set up a clinch, where she could at least pull guard to get it on the mat. It’s a tough proposition, for once the fight is on the mat, they might be battling on even terms.

The pick
Santos by second round KO.

16913

Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Rogers should win the battle
of heavyweight prospects.

Brett Rogers vs. Ron Humphrey

The matchup
It doesn’t get more basic than this — two unbeaten heavies, with all their wins via stoppage, mostly by KO. At 8-0, Rogers’ major claim to fame was calling out Kimbo Slice for a bout he never got in the defunct Elite XC organization. He gets another shot to establish his name here against Humphrey, a 5-0 prospect with all his wins via KO in the opening round.

Keys to victory
Simple. Hit the other guy first, preferably harder than he’ll hit you. Despite his un-Lesnar-like build, Rogers is fairly nimble for his size (weighing close to the 265-pound heavyweight class limit) and moves quicker than he looks. He’s also got more big-fight experience, which could translate well into handling what could be an eventual title shot against Strikeforce heavyweight champ Alistair Overeem in a division where the promotion’s cupboard is exceptionally thin.

Intangibles
You never know how the first big-time-fight butterflies will play out, and for Humphrey, a veteran of the “Iron Ring” MMA reality experiment, he’ll be giving up some 20 pounds to boot. However, it only takes one shot with heavyweights, and despite Rogers’ three fights for Elite XC, all that could go asunder if drilled clean. Humphrey’s last five opponents have a combined record of 18-31. He’s clearly taking a step up in competition here.

The pick
Rogers has decent wrestling and is pretty tough in the clinch. Add in the size difference and it should be enough to grind out a second-round TKO.

16913

Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Melendez is still a juggernaut.

Gilbert Melendez vs. Rodrigo Damm

The matchup
A late substitute for an injured Josh Thomson, Damm, 8-2, has some good showings on his record. With a KO stoppage of Jorge Masdival in last June’s Sengoku, he also logged three wins in Bodog Fight against decent competition. He has nothing to lose coming in late against Melendez, who will be fighting in front of a hometown Bay Area crowd. It may not be the recipe for a Buster Douglas-type upset, but he could certainly have a moment in the sun he could capitalize on, a la Bert Cooper-Evander Holyfield.

Keys to victory
For Melendez, 14-2, pushing the pace defines his style. A good wrestler with willing and active strikes, he likes to take guys down and batter them, quickly transitioning to superior positions so he can threaten with more strikes and assorted punishment. Coming in on short notice, Damm, a jiu-jitsu stylist with decent hands, has to have something go right in a big way before Melendez overwhelms him.

Intangibles
Melendez’ conditioning is second to none, and despite preparing for a revenge rematch against Thompson — who beat him via definitive decision in their first bout — the opponent switch shouldn’t bother him too much. If anything, he’ll be buoyed by the fact that he won’t be trying to take down Thompson, who proved superior in that department and figures to be more resistant than Damm.

Damm will have to tag Melendez hard and stuff his takedown attempts, and work every inch of the ring to keep giving Melendez angles. Melendez is especially good at making something out of nothing, particularly in scrambles, and Damm will have to make him pay in the transitions and land effectively on the feet.

The pick
Melendez is still a juggernaut, and figures to grind out a clear-cut decision or late stoppage.

16913

Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Smith and Radach share
the same strengths.

Scott Smith vs. Benji Radach

The matchup
With two sluggers squaring off and 27 KOs in their combined 33 wins, this middleweight throwdown could be the fight of the night, and it’s matchups like these that have helped Strikeforce keep the crowds coming back. Smith’s rock-em-sock-‘em first brawl with Robbie Lawler at Elite XC — which ended in an anticlimactic no-contest after Smith absorbed an eye poke and was unable to continue — was largely overlooked because of the Kimbo Slice-James Thompson bout. In the rematch, Smith shattered his hand early in the bout, and was eventually knocked out.

Radach, meanwhile, continues to rebuild a career nearly derailed by injuries and bad luck. After sustaining a broken jaw in a loss to Chris Leben in 2004, “Razor” was inactive for nearly three years before returning to the game via the IFL. After winning five of six in that promotion, he scored a big-time stoppage win of Murilio Rua in EliteXC last October, rallying in a bout that saw both guys in trouble. Radach may be one of the game’s more underrated middles as he, like Smith, carries legit knockout power, good wrestling, and the kind of killer instinct you can’t teach.

Keys to victory
In any MMA matchup, there’s a laundry list of skill sets to compare, often with flavorful differences suggesting a wide range of outcomes. This one is about as close as you can get to a dead heat. Both Smith and Radach share the same strengths as mentioned above, but also the same stylistic tendencies and shortcomings. Both have a wrestling base with heavy hands, and are unlikely to be submitted if the other guy is on the bottom. Both need to land first and avoid being taken down, lest they be subject to the vicious ground-and-pound likely to ensue. And both have a tendency to fire back — immediately — when hurt. It’s a recipe for a violent bout.

For Smith, years of working his Thai clinch seemed to be paying off in the first Lawler bout, as he was comfortable wielding inside elbows, short knees, and the kitchen sink. He also rebounded from defeat with a 24-second stoppage of Terry Martin at last November’s Strikeforce. Smith usually prefers to work standing up, while Radach seems a bit more willing to shoot for a takedown if it suits him. Radach’s strikes are equally dangerous though.

Both men have to land first, and pick smart counters while avoiding the inevitable missile launched by the other guy.

Intangibles
Smith has the edge in competition and consecutive experience, while Radach’s resurgence may mark him as the better long-term investment. Can Radach differentiate between a hurt Smith and a dangerous, wounded foe? Can Smith put together a gameplan that plays to his strengths instead of slugging it out and relying exclusively on his heavy hands? Will either of these guys shoot for a takedown despite the inclination both have for trading shots on the feet?

The pick
The guy who lands hardest the most or is on top most on the ground wins this one. Radach and Smith are so evenly matched that it’s a true toss-up.

16913

Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Will Frank Shamrock return
to his past form?

Frank Shamrock vs. Nick Diaz

The matchup
Reminiscent of an old-time boxing grudge match, on paper, there’s no reason for Diaz and Shamrock to meet given their disparity in size, except for the easily renewed tenor of MMA’s oldest feud: Gracie vs. Shamrock.

Switch the players out and you have Diaz gunning to avenge the 21-second knockout loss of Cesar Gracie, his mentor, to Shamrock in 2006. There’s really no weight class rankings clarity offered by the match: Diaz, 18-7-1 (1 NC) competed in Elite’s newly created 160-pound division following a lengthy run at 170 with a string of memorable UFC scraps. Shamrock, 23-9-2, is a natural 185-pounder. It’s strictly a catchweight match based on their mutual ability to promote a good fight and put butts in seats. Shamrock-Diaz is happening for the same reason dudes with fauxhawks driving convertible Miatas should be doused with a full cup of Big Gulp while you pass them in the other direction — it’s the principle of the thing that counts.

Keys to victory
With a 6-4 record in the UFC, Diaz proved to be one of the toughest guys to finish in the sport. Lacking an overpowering wrestling base, he still never shied away from going to his back in search of submissions or a clever sweep. With three of four wins as a 160-pounder in Elite XC, Diaz looked a bit stronger and was able to use his pressuring, grinding style to wear opponents down — except for Karl James Noons, who used excellent counterpunches en route to a cut-induced stoppage.

Diaz’ style differs greatly from Shamrock, who in recent bouts has preferred a wait-and-explode standup approach. Shamrock’s ground game has always been excellent, but in recent fights he’s clearly gained so much confidence in the standing element that he is perhaps playing to the fans more by gunning for knockouts. Standing with Phil Baroni proved to be the winning strategy in a thrilling, two-way brawl. Doing so with Cung Le was the preamble to a game, but ultimately losing effort.

In short, Diaz — regardless of what they weigh walking around, which isn’t much in terms of poundage — will have to push the pace once more and assert himself against a very capable striker in Shamrock. But the Stockton battler has to make something good happen early. How he handles the clinch against Shamrock will be key, as Shamrock’s quick feet and heavy strikes could make it a bad proposition to trade from long range. However, regardless of the size of guy Diaz is fighting, he does stay very busy, peppering foes with shots close-up, working busy hands, and constantly pushing the pace.

For Diaz, he has to find a way to control the tempo while taking Shamrock out of his element. For Shamrock, he has to dissuade Diaz from getting into his striking/submissions groove by asserting his greater natural strength, whether standing or on the ground, and put Diaz into survival mode early.

Intangibles
Diaz, 25, is considerably younger than the 36-year-old Shamrock, whose mileage on his body is a real wild card. Could Shamrock be so overconfident that he’ll walk through the seemingly undersized Diaz? Could Diaz be biting off more than he can chew, considering that Shamrock is so much bigger and equally skilled on the ground? Diaz, who hasn’t been finished since the fifth fight of his career, has few equals when it comes to hanging in there in a long, drawn-out war. Will Shamrock, whose stellar conditioning was a thing of legend several years ago, be able to keep up the pace in another three-round battle despite the injuries and mileage?

The pick
This one has the makings of an intriguing fight, because Diaz is always up for a good scrap and Shamrock seems to have the right style to give him a handful. Unlike Cung Le, whose vexing standup left Shamrock with a broken forearm and nary a decent takedown attempt to show for it, Diaz figures to be there to trade. On the ground, however, is where both can score points from top position, as neither is remotely easy to submit. All things seem to point against it, but Diaz has a good chance at an upset here given his motivation and the age difference — it depends on whether or not Shamrock picks his spots correctly or gets sucked into the wrong kind of fight.

For Diaz to win, he has to put Shamrock on his back before getting planted on his. If he does that, he wins a decision, as that will be key to making Shamrock exert energy without scoring effective points. If not, Diaz loses another tough decision.

Friday, April 03, 2009
by Tomas Rios (trios@sherdog.com)

16839

Anytime you can watch one of the world’s pound-for-pound luminaries pro bono, it’s looking like a good weekend. That’s what we’ll get this Sunday from WEC “Torres vs. Mizugaki,” which is coming live from the UIC Pavilion in Chicago.

With hometown hero and bantamweight kingpin Miguel Torres set to defend his title against Shooto standard-bearer Takeya Mizugaki, the headliner alone is enough to entice fight fans the world over. Throw in a main card that features top prospects like Rafael Assuncao and Joseph Benavidez as well as the veteran stylings of Jeff Curran, and it’s like the WEC is trying to bribe us into watching.

In other words, make sure the cable bill is paid and lock any non-MMA fans you may live with in a soundproof room. In the meantime, get your knowledge right courtesy of the same guy who said that Y2K would be the end of us all.

Miguel Torres vs. Takeya Mizugaki

Miguel Torres Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 5’9/135 lbs.
Age: 28
Hometown: East Chicago, Ind.
Fighting out of: East Chicago, Ind.
Team: Torres Martial Arts
Record: 36-1

The Breakdown: When you’re talking about a pound-for-pound standard bearer, it’s easy to forget their flaws and focus on the awe-inspiring aesthetics of their game. One of Miguel Torres’ forgotten flaws is his substandard wrestling — a flaw that Mizugaki is custom-made to exploit. Recognizing that Mizugaki is the superior wrestler needs to inform Torres’ game plan for solving one of Shooto’s premier exports.

To that end, Torres’ reach is his friend. He showed off a jab against Manny Tapia that had the ghost of Sonny Liston smiling. It’s no secret that Mizugaki likes to brawl a bit, and that habit has cost him before. Torres can use that weakness to keep this from fight from turning into a wrestling meet. While Torres has the grappling to turn Mizugaki into a Twizzler, he needs to keep Mizugaki from going Karl Gotch on him from the opening bell.

The X Factor: Torres is absolutely fearless about testing himself against his opponent’s strengths, and while that mentality has yet to cost him, it could if he ends up struggling to solve Mizugaki’s stultifying top-control game. Pride comes before the fall, and unless Torres has something beyond his usual fistic fireworks, he may not get a chance to light the fuse.

Takeya Mizugaki Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 5’7/135 lbs.
Age: 25
Hometown: Kanagawa, Japan
Fighting out of: Kanagawa, Japan
Team: Shooting Gym Hakkei
Record: 11-2-2

The Breakdown: First things first, Mizugaki needs to make peace with the fact that Torres is the better striker and grappler. Reality check in hand, Mizugaki is still one of the division’s best wrestlers, and his ground-and-pound makes him a real threat to Torres’ divisional dominance. The first step is obvious: Get inside on Torres before he finds his range and get him on the mat.

Things get complicated from there, though, as the solution to Torres’ guard remains one of the unsolved mysteries of “Unsolved Mysteries.” One thing is certain: Mizugaki needs to pass guard or get tapped. Any high-level jiu-jitsu player in MMA relies on controlling his opponents inside the guard. If Mizugaki can consistently get past Torres’ legs, he has as good a chance as anyone in the division of giving Torres the Buster Douglas treatment.

The X Factor: No matter what, Mizugaki needs to stick to his guns and win or lose on the strength of his top control. Standing with Torres leaves Mizugaki’s short reach and iffy chin out there to be exploited, and there may not be a bantamweight alive who can roll with Torres on the mat. Discipline has been a problem for Mizugaki in the past. Torres only needs the smallest of openings to add another clip to the highlight reel.

* * *

The Bottom Line: Sure, Mizugaki can out-wrestle Torres, but that won’t mean much when Torres is picking him apart on the feet and mat. Pulling a 25-minute top-control special on Torres is about as likely as me sitting through an episode of “The Gilmore Girls.” Watch for another sterling performance from Torres as he picks apart Mizugaki on the feet before he turns a desperate takedown by his would-be conqueror into a fight-ending triangle choke.

16839

Jeff Sherwood/Sherdog.com

Watch for Curran to
keep it close.

Jeff Curran vs. Joseph Benavidez

Jeff “The Big Frog” Curran Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 5’6/145 lbs.
Age: 31
Hometown: Crystal Lake, Ill.
Fighting out of: Crystal Lake, Ill.
Team: Team Curran
Record: 29-10-1

The Breakdown: A veteran of both the lightweight and featherweight division, Curran’s bantamweight debut comes against Urijah Faber’s protégé Joseph Benavidez. Knocking the blue-chipper off course means Curran will have to rely on his slick jiu-jitsu game against the explosive wrestling of Benavidez. How Curran gets his own offense going against the ground-and-pound of Benavidez will have a lot to do with how “The Big Frog” fits into the food chain of the bantamweight class.

The X Factor: Coming off two straight losses in the featherweight division and with 40 bouts over 11 years already under his belt, the whispers have already started over whether Curran is on his last legs in the fight biz. Going against a premier prospect in a showcase bout, Curran needs to prove the horizon is still off in the distance.

Joseph Benavidez Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 5’4/155 lbs.
Age: 24
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Fighting out of: Sacramento, Calif.
Team: Team Alpha Male
Record: 9-0

The Breakdown: The supposed heir apparent of the bantamweight division, Benavidez is very much a carbon copy of his mentor, Urijah Faber. Using that unique blend of athleticism and technique will be key against Curran, who can’t match the youngster’s athletic prowess but makes up the difference in technical acumen. There is no doubt that Benavidez will be able to ground Curran, but you have to wonder how an unproven prospect will handle one of the game’s resident jiu-jitsu aces.

The X Factor: Billed as a clash of savvy grappler vs. genetic freakazoid wrestler, striking remains the ignored variable in this bout. While Curran has a fundamentally sound game, Benavidez has speed and power that simply can’t be taught. If Benavidez can force Curran on the defensive standing, he’d cut off Curran at the pass and eliminate his quarry’s best hope of victory.

* * *

The Bottom Line: One of the most evenly matched bouts of the evening, it will be Benavidez’s raw physicality that tilts the bout in his favor. Watch for Curran to keep it close but, Benavidez’s relentless pace and dominant wrestling will be the difference as he takes home a decision win. With that win under his belt, you can bank on Faber and Benavidez making that long anticipated run at the WWE tag team title.

16839

Photo by Sherdog.com

The WEC is hoping that
they’ve struck gold.

Shane Roller vs. Benson Henderson

Shane Roller Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 5’10/155 lbs.
Age: 29
Hometown: Oklahoma City, Okla.
Fighting out of: Las Vegas, Nev.
Team: Xtreme Couture
Record: 5-1

The Breakdown: Another one of the highly touted prospects populating Team Takedown, Roller’s wrestling pedigree and surprising offensive dynamism makes him one of the WEC’s most compelling prospects. While Henderson lacks the same talent for takedowns, his versatile offense makes him a stiff test for Roller. Staying focused on controlling Henderson with his wrestling while avoiding any youthful mistakes is crucial.

The X Factor: Talented as he may be, Roller has the bad habit of making mental errors inside the cage. Thus far, his excess of athleticism has been his saving grace, but one mental malfunction too many against Henderson will leave Roller joining Jake Rosholt on Team Takedown’s bust list.

Benson “Smooth” Henderson Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 5’9/155 lbs.
Age: 25
Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colo.
Fighting out of: Glendale, Ariz.
Team: The MMA Lab
Record: 8-1

The Breakdown: Rangy and unorthodox, Henderson needs to keep Roller off-balance as Roller’s suffocating top control makes him nearly impossible to corral. What Henderson should look to take advantage of is Roller’s recklessness in the cage, ideally by drawing him into standing exchanges that would get Roller away from relying on his wrestling.

The X Factor: Henderson’s long frame gives him a serpentine reach, but he isn’t terribly strong from up close and that is where Roller excels. If nothing else, Henderson has to keep Roller at bay or end up fighting on Roller’s terms — a losing proposition for most of the lightweight division.

* * *

The Bottom Line: After watching Team Takedown’s Jake Rosholt move on to the UFC and get knocked off, the WEC is hoping that they’ve struck gold with Roller. That remains to be seen, but he should be able to overpower Henderson en route to a ground-and-pound stoppage.

16839

Photo by Sherdog.com

Massouh is going down.

Rafael Assuncao vs. Jameel Massouh

Rafael Assuncao Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 5’5/145 lbs.
Age: 26
Hometown: Recife, Brazil
Fighting out of: Atlanta
Team: American Top Team
Record: 12-1

The Breakdown: At long last, Rafael Assuncao gets his shot at the big leagues and he’ll do it against the well-rounded yet lightly regarded Jameel Massouh. While Massouh’s cheering section may not be as vocal as Assuncao’s, he is an underrated fighter in a talent-rich division. As always, Assuncao’s best bet is to stick to his strengths and turn this into a mat battle, as Massouh is not amongst the handful that can survive on the ground with the Brazilian.

The X Factor: Slowly but surely, Assuncao has shown improved striking, but now is not the time for Assuncao to start experimenting on the feet. While Massouh is hardly the kickboxing Baryshnikov, Assuncao better not come out looking to impress the world with his newfound striking and risk spoiling his own coming out party.

Jameel Massouh Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 5’10/145 lbs.
Age: 24
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisc.
Fighting out of: Kenosha, Wisc.
Team: Freestyle Academy
Record: 21-4

The Breakdown: A relative unknown in the featherweight ranks, Massouh is supposedly being thrown to the wolves in the form of Raphael Assuncao. Keeping himself from becoming Assuncao’s latest meal ticket means keeping this from turning into a jiu-jitsu clinic. The only sure way Massouh has of doing that is drawing Assuncao into a striking battle, as he lacks the wrestling to bully Assuncao around. It will take a perfect fight from Massouh — as long as he keeps himself from becoming Assuncao’s grappling dummy.

The X Factor: Massouh’s versatility often leads to him going with the flow in his bouts instead of imposing his will on opponents. Going along with Assuncao’s plans will get Massouh a few inverted limbs and a nice medical bill. Seizing the initiative and forcing Assuncao into a battle is Massouh’s only hope of keeping himself in the WEC.

The Bottom Line: Everyone loves an upset but they’ll have to look elsewhere, as Assuncao has long been one of the division’s best fighters. Finally given a chance to shine, he’ll pick apart Massouh on the mat in short order.

16839

File Photo/Sherdog.com

Bart Palaszewski will
be upset at WEC 40.

Bart Palaszewski vs. Anthony Njokuani

The Breakdown: The battle of difficult to pronounce last names should make for some of the night’s best action as Njokuani and Palaszewski love to keep head trauma centers on their heels. While Palaszewski has the edge in experience, Njokuani’s muay Thai style is slick and explosive. It’s anyone’s guess how the mat work will go, but Njokuani’s striking makes him a live underdog.

The X Factor: Anytime you have a striker’s showdown, it’s always the grappling that ends up rearing its head. Neither man has much takedown defense so if someone is getting the worst of the striking, the grappling — or lack thereof — could become the lynchpin of the winner’s strategy.

The Bottom Line: Palaszewski is coming into this fight on short notice after he took a lopsided three-round decision loss just a month ago. It’s not a recipe for success against an opponent who has you beat at your specialty. Njokuani pulls off the upset special and the world is left to wonder how you pronounce his name.

16839

Mike Fridley/Sherdog.com

It’s always fun to
watch Paixao operate.

Wagnney Fabiano vs. Fredson Paixao

The Bottom Line: Don’t kid yourself, this fight is all about the jiu-jitsu. Both Fabiano and Paixao are world-class grapplers and nether man is much for striking, so this boils down to who can out-jiu-jitsu who. While either man could cinch a submission at a moment’s notice, Fabiano has far superior wrestling and his style is not dependant on scoring the submission. That will likely be the difference, as you can expect the offensive brilliance to be in short supply.

The X Factor: Fabiano thrives on shutting down his opponent’s offense, while Paixao keeps a hectic pace on the mat. While Fabiano has the edge thanks to his suffocating top control, it’ll be interesting to see how he reacts to Paixao’s relentless guard work.

The Bottom Line: It’s always fun to watch Paixao operate, but Fabiano is simply too technically sound and efficient on the mat to allow Paixao to get his offense going. It won’t be fun to watch unless you’re writing a thesis on top control, but it will be enough to get Fabiano a decision win.

16839

Denis Martins/Sherdog.com

If Yahya has trouble
getting a takedown, he’s
in for a world of hurt.

Eddie Wineland vs. Rani Yahya

The Breakdown: It’s a true clash of styles as Wineland’s one-dimensional striking meets Yahya’s submission-or-bust style. While Yahya’s virtually non-existent wrestling is an issue, Wineland has never had much in the way of takedown defense. Combine that with Yahya’s kamikaze approach to takedowns and Wineland’s less than world-class grappling and you have what looks like the prelude to a three-tap symphony.

The X Factor: If Yahya has trouble getting a takedown, he’s in for a world of hurt, as the difference in striking is as vast as the difference in grappling ability. As long as Wineland finds his range early, he’ll have Yahya on the defensive, which is where he needs to keep him to win.

The Bottom Line: Normally, the wrestling-deprived grappler loses to the striker, but Wineland’s striking is more methodical than it is powerful. Unless he can score an early knockout, he’ll be stuck fending off Yahya’s never-ending arsenal of submissions. Bank on Yahya’s arsenal winning the day.

16839

Stephen Martinez/Sherdog.com

Tamura will come up big.

Manny Tapia vs. Akitoshi Tamura

The Breakdown: This is going to come down to who survives the close quarters combat, as Manny Tapia loves to dig in body shots while Tamura favors the Thai clinch. The difference is Tapia’s lacking defense and Tamura’s overall technical acumen. Tapia may look great against your standard-issue brawler, but Tamura’s shoddy record belies a wealth of fistic knowledge.

The X Factor: The other clash to look out for is how Tapia works his ground-and-pound against Tamura’s surprisingly fluid guard game. If Tapia starts getting the worst of the striking, he will transition to ground-and-pound in a hurry. Whether that sounds Tapia’s death knell or signals his comeback will play heavily into Tapia’s fighting fate.

The Bottom Line: After a disappointing debut in the WEC, Tamura has been written off by many as just another failed Shooto acquisition. However, Tapia is the perfect canvas for him to display his vastly underrated skills. After some memorable disasters, a Shooto convert finally comes up big as Tamura wins a one-sided decision.

16839

Photo by Sherdog.com

Dias will showcase his
slick ground skills.

Rafael Dias vs. Mike Budnik

The Breakdown: A grappler’s special awaits as both Dias and Budnik live or die on their grappling. Unfortunately for Budnik, Dias happens to be one of the best grapplers out of the vaunted American Top Team. Unless Budnik plans on “Hulk”-ing out just as the fight starts, he’ll be stuck fending off the submission onslaught of a superior grappler.

The X Factor: The one troubling part of Dias’ grappling is that he struggles against aggressive ground-and-pound. If Budnik can out-wrestle Dias and stay aggressive without getting careless, he could easily pick apart Dias on the mat.

The Bottom Line: I’ve never seen Budnik show much in the way of ground-and-pound and it’s unlikely he’ll even out-wrestle Dias thoroughly enough to stay out of harm’s way in the first place. This turns into a showcase for Dias and Budnik’s tapping skills.

16839

Photo by Sherdog.com

Cruz will fail late
in the contest.

Dominick Cruz vs. Ivan Lopez

The Breakdown: It’s a shame this fight is relegated to undercard duty, as both Cruz and Lopez are amongst the WEC’s best bantamweight prospects and they both love the striking game. While Lopez comes into the WEC with a flawless record, Cruz has taken on some of the division’s best and more than held his own. If this fight turns into a battle, it may be Cruz’s experience that makes all the difference.

The X Factor: While you can’t argue with Cruz’s technical ability, his power is somewhat lacking. Accuracy and movement are good to have but when you don’t have the power to back it up, it’s just a matter of time before you get caught. Lopez won’t need much of an opening to make Cruz into the night’s top KO victim.

The Bottom Line: Call it a hunch, but I like Lopez’s chances against Cruz. He may not be a proven commodity, but Lopez’s talent is obvious and Cruz doesn’t have the power to go toe-to-toe with Lopez. A come-from-behind win is in the cards for Lopez as he scores a spectacular KO in the third round.

Wednesday, April 01, 2009
by Tomas Rios (trios@sherdog.com)

16812

When the UFC first rolled out the Fight Night experiment, I prayed to every available God that it would become the platform the sport so desperately needed to highlight both up-and-coming talent and deserving veterans.

After sitting through an inaugural Fight Night card that was marred by a premature stoppage and a trio of narcoleptic decisions, I made peace with the fact that the Gods had ignored me and that the grand experiment was in for some major retooling.

Thankfully, Wednesday’s event marks not only the UFC’s first show in Tennessee but also a return to form for the Fight Night experiment. Featuring a main event that pits outgoing WEC welterweight champion Carlos Condit against Xtreme Couture blue-chipper Martin Kampmann, Joe Silva & Co. have booked a quality lineup that will play host to many of the UFC’s 25-and-under crowd.

So dust off the yarmulke, reach a state of Zen and get squared up on the knowledge front.

16812

 

Stephen Martinez/Sherdog.com

Condit is the real deal.

Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann

Carlos “The Natural Born Killer” Condit Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 6’2/170 lbs.
Age: 24
Hometown: Albuquerque, N.M.
Team: Arizona Combat Sports
Record: 22-4

The Breakdown: A walking case study in offensive dynamism, Condit is the kind of guy who would be foaming at the mouth for six-receiver formations in the NFL if he weren’t so good at making mean faces and keeping the local ICU busy. What really makes Condit effective, though, is that his reputation as a pedigreed kickboxer hides his surprising propensity for slick guard work — a skill undoubtedly fostered by his apparent disinterest in turning his bouts into wrestling clinics.

While making yourself into a takedown dummy will get you an MMA Darwin Award more often than not, Condit’s serpentine reach and traditional muay Thai style allow him to control opponents from afar with kicks and from up close with the Thai clinch. What really makes it all come together, though, is Condit’s knack for submissions. At a time when scoring submissions off your back in MMA is a losing proposition, Condit’s guard became the bogeyman of the WEC.

What is worrisome about Condit’s style as it relates to Kampmann’s, however, is that Condit has never had to face an opponent who has an equal measure of offensive wizardry and the technical acumen to make it sing. While turning to his jiu-jitsu has been Condit’s saving grace in the past, he’ll need to rely more on his reach to keep Kampmann at bay. A close-quarters clash favors the Dane’s superior wrestling and reference-quality striking.

The X Factor: Hiromitsu Miura gave Condit fits at WEC 35 by mixing takedowns with slick boxing despite giving up a few hundred miles’ worth of reach to the rangy New Mexico native. That is a weakness that Kampmann and the cerebral Xtreme Couture camp are sure to zone in on. Unless Condit is ready with an effective counter strategy, all the offense in the world won’t save him when his opponent is ready with an answer for every move.

Martin “The Hitman” Kampmann Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 6’0/170 lbs.
Age: 26
Hometown: Aarhus, Denmark
Fighting out of: Las Vegas
Team: Xtreme Couture
Record: 14-2

The Breakdown: Kampmann’s rise to prominence now seems more certain than ever thanks to his long overdue move to the welterweight division. An odd conclusion since cutting it in the UFC’s 170-pound class makes getting into Harvard Law School look like the slacker’s way out.

Much like Condit, Kampmann’s mastery of both striking and grappling has gotten him in a position to take on a division that is stacked like Betty Davis. What separates the two, however, is Kampmann’s more technically proficient striking and surprising wrestling acumen. While Condit relies on simply overwhelming opponents with offense, Kampmann excels at dissecting his quarry with all the precision of a cyborg neurosurgeon. Which means only one thing: The dawn of cyborg MMA is coming and coming soon.

The X Factor: One serious flaw in Kampmann’s game thus far has been his beard. He got served the chin-check special quite a few times as a middleweight. Whether that is owed to Kampmann fighting against opponents who dwarfed him or whether it is an actual issue with his brain’s taste for punishment remains to be seen. If it becomes an issue against Condit, he won’t have a chance to do much of anything except curl up and wait on the referee.

* * *

 

The Bottom Line: It’s easy to confuse Condit’s success in the WEC with the success that Kampmann has had in the UFC. In fairness to Condit, he won his bouts in impressive fashion. Yet he’s always been reliant on having the offensive firepower to overwhelm opponents or simply seize on a moment’s carelessness. He can count on neither against Kampmann, who has the overall striking acumen that Condit still lacks and the takedowns needed to knock Condit off his rhythm should the need arise.

The variable that Condit should use, his reach, is something he has yet to fully apply inside the cage. Even then, Kampmann’s fight IQ is the intangible that Condit has no answer for. Watch for an entertaining first round that gradually tilts toward Kampmann as a prelude to a second-round submission win for the man carrying on the legacy of Tommy Hearns and Bret Hart.

16812

 

Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Ryan Bader has all
of the tools.

Ryan Bader vs. Carmelo Marrero

Ryan “Darth” Bader Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 6’2/205 lbs.
Age: 25
Hometown: Reno, Nev.
Fighting out of: Tempe, Ariz.
Team: Arizona Combat Sports
Record: 8-0

The Breakdown: The latest in a long line of highly touted light heavyweights to graduate from the wringer that is “The Ultimate Fighter,” Bader is your prototypical, hulking All-American wrestler with cinder blocks for hands. The problem is that we’ve seen plenty made from the same mold, and the end game always comes down to how well they grasp the nuances of the sport.

In Marrero, Bader gets an opponent whose only offensive option consists of ground-and-pound. That means this will be the first time Bader will have to take on a legitimate wrestler within the confines of MMA. Learning how to use his wrestling-in-reverse in tandem with his striking is a lesson Bader used to starch Vinny Magalhaes in his official UFC debut, and he’d be wise to use it again.

The X Factor: We’ve all seen what happens when a supposedly unstoppable wrestler lands on his back: They act like a slasher movie victim and start doing things so transparently dumb that even the lay-fan is screaming sound strategic advice via the moving image box. While Marrero is hardly a ground-and-pound prodigy, he may not need to be if Bader ends up on his back and does his best impersonation of the black guy in every horror movie ever made.

Carmelo “The Fury” Marrero Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 6’0/205 lbs.
Age: 28
Hometown: Philadelphia
Fighting out of: Coconut Creek, Fla.
Team: American Top Team
Record: 10-2 (1 NC)

The Breakdown: If nothing else, the strategy for Marrero is obvious. Lacking both in striking and jiu-jitsu, he relies on scoring takedowns and grinding out decisions with a conservative, top-control oriented strategy. What Marrero has to be mindful of is Bader’s striking, which, while lacking in refinement, makes up the difference in sheer power.

Any time spent on the feet is just more time Marrero is giving Bader to unload the heavy artillery; he has to close the gap early and put the pressure on Bader with constant takedown attempts. If Marrero makes himself a nuisance and forces Bader on the defensive, it would not only disrupt Bader’s heavy-handed style but also open up the opportunities Marrero so desperately needs to score takedowns.

The X Factor: In the past, Marrero has been far too cautious from the top position, and that will only lead to referee restarts in the UFC. Assuming Marrero has the skill to consistently get Bader on his back, he better be ready to keep him there with something other than the usual blanket “attack.”

* * *

 

The Bottom Line: This is your usual showcase match for the latest “TUF” alumnus and one Bader is built to capitalize on. Even if Marrero can land the odd takedown, he won’t do it for three rounds straight and he’s never had the style to pound out opponents in short order. Bader does have those tools, and he’ll use them to notch a second straight TKO win under the UFC banner.

16812

 

Photo by Sherdog.com

Add another to Tyson
Griffin’s trophy case.

Tyson Griffin vs. Rafael dos Anjos

Tyson Griffin Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 5’6/155 lbs.
Age: 24
Hometown: Sacramento, Calif.
Fighting out of: Las Vegas, Nev.
Team: Xtreme Couture
Record: 12-2

The Breakdown: Originally a ground-and-pound tank, Griffin has matured into a multifaceted fighter who excels at wearing opponents down from inside the pocket with leg kicks and body punches. Getting his striking and wrestling to pull a Marvel Team-Up will be key for Griffin and his redwood legs if he’s going to keep dos Anjos from turning this into a jiu-jitsu clinic.

Griffin has a strong history of handling jiu-jitsu impresarios such as Thiago Tavares and Gleison Tibau. Sticking to his tried and true strategy of stuffing takedowns and forcing opponents to fight on his terms is what Griffin needs to keep dos Anjos winless in the Octagon.

The X Factor: Although Griffin’s takedown defense is plenty good enough to keep this fight upright, dos Anjos won’t hesitate to pull guard if he has to. Griffin will need to resist the temptation to prove his worth on the ground, as dos Anjos has plenty of submission skins hanging on his wall.

Rafael dos Anjos Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 5’9/155 lbs.
Age: 24
Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fighting out of: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Team: Gracie Fusion
Record: 11-3

The Breakdown: After getting his jaw inverted by Jeremy Stephens at UFC 91, dos Anjos has hopefully learned his lesson about striking: don’t. If he is going to pull the upset, he’ll have to focus on getting Griffin on the mat and firing off submission attempts to keep him occupied.

Griffin has been drawn into mat battles before. Dos Anjos can capitalize on this by forcing the frenetic pace that Griffin used to be known for. To that end, the Brazilian should ditch the striking and get Griffin on the mat whether it be via takedown or guard pull. From there, dos Anjos will have his best chance of winning while avoiding Griffin’s soul-sapping striking.

The X Factor: While everyone remembers dos Anjos getting lobotomized in his UFC debut, few remember that it was his inability to close the deal on the mat that got him sent to bed early. Whatever time dos Anjos gets on the mat is time he’ll have to use wisely.

* * *

 

The Bottom Line: It may not be as exciting as watching a marathon of “ThunderCats,” but Griffin has the formula down pact for scorching jiu-jitsu converts like they’re Icarus. Unless dos Anjos has some All-Universe takedowns he’s been keeping undercover, he’ll join the rest of jiu-jitsu nation in Griffin’s trophy case.

16812

 

Photo by Sherdog.com

Cole Miller has the
edge in experience.

Junie Allen Browning vs. Cole Miller

Junie “The Lunatic” Browning Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 5’9/155 lbs.
Age: 23
Hometown: Lexington, Ky.
Fighting out of: Las Vegas
Team: Xtreme Couture
Record: 3-0

The Breakdown: After getting a chance to shine against an overmatched Dave Kaplan, Browning now has to deal with the reality of UFC competition against the battle-tested jiu-jitsu of Cole Miller. The best way to deal with that reality would be to avoid it altogether by getting inside on Miller and using the accurate and fundamentally sound striking that sounded Kaplan’s death knell.

Browning will have to watch out for Miller’s willingness to pull guard at a moment’s notice — a particularly effective move for Miller, who uses his height to generate tremendous leverage in the clinch. Miller’s height can also be used against him, though. His footwork and striking remain awkward, and that’s something Browning’s movement and short, precise strikes are built to exploit.

The X Factor: It’s obvious Browning likes to mix it up. Keeping an active pace is a big part of his game, but staying disciplined against Miller will be the lynchpin of his success. No matter how badly Browning wants to prove himself against Miller, who has repeatedly called Browning’s jiu-jitsu credentials into question, he better keep in mind that Miller has the game to tap out 99 percent of the lightweight division. Contrary to what Browning thinks, he is not part of that one percent.

Cole “Magrino” Miller Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 6’1/155 lbs.
Age: 24
Hometown: Augusta, Ga.
Fighting out of: Coconut Creek, Fla.
Team: American Top Team
Record: 14-3

The Breakdown: When Miller is on the mat and uses his submission prowess to control fights, he wins. Simple enough, but Miller does come up short in both the striking and wrestling departments, which makes him a one-dimensional, albeit dynamic fighter. Focusing on his strength while staying mindful of his limitations is the fine line Miller must walk to beat Browning.

Realizing that goal will involve crowding Browning to stifle his movement and quickly pulling guard before Kentucky’s favorite wild child escapes. From there, Miller’s submission savvy should take care of the rest.

The X Factor: Defense remains a major issue for Miller. He leaves himself wide open on the feet whenever he engages, and his pursuit of the submission often gets reckless. Browning won’t need much of an opening to blitz Miller, and Miller may not have the chin to take the beating.

* * *

 

The Bottom Line: Talented as he may be, Browning is still a raw prospect while Miller has gone through the UFC wringer and come out better for it. That difference will be obvious as Miller absorbs some early punishment on the feet before dragging Browning to the mat and turning him into an amateur taxidermy experiment.