Chuck “The Iceman” Lidell vs Rich “Ace” Franklin
Lidell’s Strengths: KO Power. Has knocked out a lot of fighters. Takedown defense, footwork, very good at avoiding being hit over his career, while less so in his last few fights.
Lidell’s Weaknesses: Age, Pretty much a singular fighting strategy for quite awhile, jaw, lack of head movement (tends to hold chin high and stands straight up).
Franklin’s strengths: Jiu-jitsu, Tends to throw combinations most times when striking, cardio, toughness. Franklin has always been more a multiple hit/tko type of fighter than a power puncher.
Franklin’s weaknesses: Not many weaknesses. Franklin had trouble defending strikes while in Anderson Silva’s Thai clinch. However, any fighter would’ve went down taking those type of knees to the body.
Chuck’s singular strategy I think is not enough to beat Rich Franklin on a good day. Now is Rich fighting on short notice? Yes. He is taking over for Tito Ortiz who has dropped out due to injury.
If Rich can get this fight to the ground I think, Franklin wins this one via TKO or submission. If it stays on the feet….I still think Franklin wins — via decision. Can Chuck win this fight of course. 1 punch and Rich will be tasting the canvas and Chuck can get that TKO very easily.
Mirko “Cro Cop” vs Pat Barry
The ultimate kick off between two excellent kickboxing fighting stylists. There is probably little chance this is going to the ground. CroCop is known for his left high kick which was so devastating against opponents in Pride. In the UFC he hasn’t really even thrown it much and has instead gone for constant punching. At the same time, his stand up has looked rather poor in the UFC cage as well. While Pat Barry’s standup has looked great. He has caused severe damage to several opponents legs due to his low kicks. Barry is probably one of if not the most powerful “leg kicker” in all of MMA right now.
Pat Barry is favored in this fight and I can see him winning. The one thing that Mirko has over Barry is height and reach. That could become an issue for Barry and would increase the odds for Mirko’s left high kick to connect.
Despite that I think Barry will win based on superior standup and conditioning.
Paulo Thiago vs Martin Kampmann
This is a fight Kampmann can win on his feet. If Paulo Thiago gets it to the ground though I think Thiago will win there. If stays up, Kampmann wins due to dynamic striking. Thiago is not the most amazing striker despite KO’ing Koscheck.
Ben Rothwell vs Gilbert Yvel
If Ben follows the Josh Barnett plan, this fight will be over real fast. If Ben follows the Cain Velasquez plan, then Yvel has a real good chance of winning.
Carlos Condit vs Rory MacDonald
Two good strikers, but one great ground specialist. I give the edge to Carlos Condit because he has shown he can take some serious standup punishment and that is what Rory MacDonald is best at. However, MacDonald does not have the same ground game that Condit possesses.
Condit wins.
UFC 115 Prelim Fights Shown on SpikeTV
Tyson Griffin vs Evan Dunham
The guaranteed good fight contender, Tyson Griffin, is taking on Evan Dunham. Someone who was new to the UFC and we called him to beat Efrain Escudero. Efrain Escudero is sort of like Tyson Griffin. Great cardio, great wrestling, good standup, and difficult to submit. Dunham will have his hands full trying to submit Griffin as many other fighters have not been able to do so.
Griffin wins most fights by decision. Dunham is actually more of a finisher than Griffin and has a tough chin and good standup. He is the taller fighter and will have reach on Griffin. Will Griffin submit Dunham who is a black belt in jiu jitsu? I don’t see it. I think this fight is going to the cards. Dunham is good with both hands and feet, while Griffin has some really good leg kicks.
That said I like Dunham in this fight.
Mac Danzig vs Matt Wiman
Too tough guys with similar skill sets. Danzig is slightly favored at some bookmakers, but this is closer to a pickem. Danzig probably has the better cardio. I lean towards Danzig here due to his aggressive nature will overcome the zombie style of Wiman.