Who doesn’t love an exciting KO? Aside from the guy getting knocked out, the answer to that question is just about no one.
UFC on Fuel 7 has a few bouts on the schedule that have tremendous KO potential. Some feature two KO artists, and others look like mismatches that won’t end well for one of the participants.
Here is a look at the fights that I predict will end in a KO.
Ryan “Big Deal” Jimmo (17-1) vs. James Te Huna (17-5)
Both of these man pack a huge wallop as strikers, but Jimmo‘s UFC debut in his native Canada had MMA fans talking.
Jimmo flattened Anthony Perosh in seven seconds—he proceeded to do the robot and a split as a celebratory dance.
Ladies and gentleman, a star may have been born at that moment. He bears a striking resemblance to Mr. Clean, and I predict he wipes the floor with yet another opponent.
Te Huna is no slouch, but Jimmo is more than a flash in the pan. He trains with the Blackzilians, and he has an excellent grappling background to augment his immense punching power.
The KO won’t happen in seven seconds, but it will happen.
“Beautiful” Che Mills (15-5) vs. Matthew “Deep Waters” Riddle (7-3)
Mills was the victim of a gruesome beating in his fight against Rory MacDonald at UFC 145, but he bounced back with a KO win over Duane Ludwig in September.
He has another tough fight on his hands with the dynamic and talented Matthew Riddle.
Mills is a premier striker that has an advantage over most if the fight takes place in the stand-up. Riddle could take Mills down, but he’s proven to be a little too daring for his own good at times.
His striking ability is developing, but is not on Mills’ level. In an effort to prove himself and make a statement, he will be stopped by the man they call Beautiful.
Mills will make a mess of Riddle.
Cub Swanson (18-5) vs. Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier (13-2)
Swanson is a gamer, but I don’t see him as an elite fighter. He’s prone to carelessness in the ring. This is what cost him in his UFC debut against Ricardo Lamas at UFC on Fox 1. He was actually winning the battle in the stand-up, but he initiated a takedown which led to his submission loss.
During his time in the WEC, I saw Swanson allow himself to be lured into his opponents’ style as well.
Meanwhile, Poirier is on his way to stardom. He is a very balanced fighter that has the ability to finish in a variety of ways.
On Saturday night, we will see the Diamond display his KO power. Swanson has only been stopped by KO or TKO once, and that came at the hands of Jose Aldo.
Poirier will join some select company in this one. Swanson’s aggressive nature will cause him to press the action as usual, but this time he’ll run into a strike that will put him in peril.
Poirier is ready to bust out, and he’ll KO Swanson.
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