This Saturday at UFC on Versus 6, Dominick Cruz (18-1) is a heavy favorite to turn back challenger Demetrious Johnson (9-1) and retain his bantamweight title.
To this point, no bantamweight has solved the Cruz attack, which involves keeping things upright and throwing attacks from all angles while darting in and out to avoid damage. The phrase “pick him apart” was invented for fighters like Cruz.
On paper, “Mighty Mouse” Johnson has an uphill battle in front of him. But lest the Internets forget, they said the same thing about Johnson’s chances against Miguel Torres, and Norifumi Yamamoto before that.
But look who has the title shot tonight. Neither of those men could or should be confused with the current best bantamweight on the planet, but those wins weren’t for nothing, either.
What the 5’3″ Johnson gives up in height to the 5’8″ Cruz, he makes up for in athleticism and fighting style. Johnson blends a background in grappling with lightning quickness. He has shown that he is not unwilling to engage, or impose a tempo.
Mighty Mouse doesn’t have the size or strength to take Cruz down and hold him there. But he can do the former. If he can score by getting Cruz to the mat once or twice, it might get Cruz (whose entire goal is not to finish, but outpoint) thinking, and that could make him susceptible to fakes and, in turn, big shots.
In essence, if Johnson can use his speed to close the distance between the two, he has the will and the skill to do damage once he’s there. It’s not probable, but it’s possible. Just possible enough to add real intrigue to tonight’s main event, even if the experts and oddsmakers don’t agree.
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