Author: Tyler Brooke

Dos Santos vs. Hunt: Biggest Strengths and Weaknesses for Each Fighter

Junior dos Santos and Mark Hunt have things that they’re good at and things they struggle with, and both fighters will be looking to use these to their advantages to win at UFC 160. The big fight of the night on Saturday will be the championship …

Junior dos Santos and Mark Hunt have things that they’re good at and things they struggle with, and both fighters will be looking to use these to their advantages to win at UFC 160.

The big fight of the night on Saturday will be the championship fight between Cain Velasquez and Antonio Silva, but the next biggest fight will clearly have to be the heavyweight bout between Cigano and The Super Samoan.

Let’s take a look at the biggest strengths and weaknesses for each fighter.

Note: All statistics are provided by FightMetric.com unless specified otherwise.

Junior dos Santos (15-2)

Strengths

On his feet, dos Santos is an impressive fighter.  He lands an average of 5.51 significant strikes per minute. The case can be made that he’s one of the most effective boxers in the division. 

What helps make Junior a solid fighter on his feet is that he can stay upright.  He is a tough fighter to get to the floor, staying upright on 74 percent of attempted takedowns.

Despite the heavyweight limit being at 265 pounds, Junior only weighs in around 240.  This lack of bulkiness makes him a much quicker fighter in the Octagon. 

 

Weaknesses

The issue with being so solid on his feet is that dos Santos is untested on the ground.  If he ends up on the ground, chances are that he will be much less effective.  He lost one of his two fights in his career due to a submission.

When fighting against Velasquez at UFC 155, Junior looked quite winded.  This was uncommon for a fighter who usually appears to have pretty good stamina.  This will be something else to watch for during the fight.

 

Mark Hunt (9-7)

Strengths

The Super Samoan is known best for his impressive power.  He almost always pushes the weight limit around 265 pounds, giving him a big weight advantage on dos Santos.  Six of Hunt’s nine wins have come by way of knockout.

Despite being listed at 5’10’’, Hunt can move around the Octagon quite well.

Before Hunt’s MMA career, he was actually a professional kickboxer.  He went 30-13 as a kickboxer, including 13 knockouts.  This past profession helps out Hunt tremendously, as he can really surprise opposing fighters with devastating shots.

 

Weaknesses

Just like Junior, Hunt struggles when it comes to fighting on the ground.  Six of his seven losses in his career have come from submission.  Luckily for Hunt, dos Santos only has one win by submission ever.

Stamina is an issue as well with the Super Samoan.  This is likely due to that same stocky frame that helps him with his power.  Typically when fights go the distance or close to it, his technique gets sloppy and he starts making big mistakes.

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UFC 160 Start Time: Where and When to Watch Pay Per View Event

UFC 160 has picked up quite a bit of steam heading into Saturday, with some exciting matchups headlining the event. The main card will feature two exciting heavyweight fights, with a championship on the line in one of them, as well as a light heavyweig…

UFC 160 has picked up quite a bit of steam heading into Saturday, with some exciting matchups headlining the event.

The main card will feature two exciting heavyweight fights, with a championship on the line in one of them, as well as a light heavyweight and two lightweight matches.

Here’s a look at when you can catch the exciting night of fights, along with a quick preview of each fight.

UFC 160 Main Card TV Information

When: Saturday, May 25

Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nev.

Start Time: 10 p.m. ET on PPV

Live Stream Info: UFC.com

 

Donald Cerrone (20-5, 1 NC) vs. K.J. Noons (11-6)

After being a hot fighter for some time, Cerrone has struggled recently, going 2-2 in his last four fights.  Meanwhile, Noons is making his UFC debut after recently fighting at Strikeforce.

For both fighters, they tend to do better while on their feet.  Noons in particular struggles with takedowns.  Both will be looking to make an impact on their feet rather than on the ground.

Both fighters have had struggles recently, so a win would be a nice way to get back on track for each.

 

Gray Maynard (11-1-1, 1 NC) vs. TJ Grant (20-5)

According to a report by TopMMANews.com, Dana White announced the winner of this fight will be able to compete for the UFC lightweight title that is currently held by Benson Henderson.  A knee injury has sidelined Maynard for quite a while, but now he is back and ready to fight.

Maynard is a good wrestler and is good at getting takedowns against his opponents, where Grant struggles against takedowns.  Both are solid fighters on the ground, but Grant is the better striker and has shown off some pretty solid strength since making the switch to the lightweight division.

 

James Te-Huna (16-5) vs. Glover Teixeira (20-2)

Ryan Bader was originally expected to fight Teixeira at UFC 160, but an injury forced him to step out with Te-Huna replacing him in this fight.  Teixeira will be looking to extend his win streak to 19 fights, with his last loss dating back to 2005.

Both fighters are pretty strong strikers, but the mismatch is on the ground.  Teixeira’s jiu-jitsu background helps him in the submission game, while four out of the five losses for Te-Huna came by way of submission.

If Teixeira can get a hold of Te-Huna on the ground, this could be a quick fight.  If not, Te-Huna’s stamina could become a valuable asset in later rounds, particularly if these fighters stay on their feet.

 

Junior dos Santos (15-2) vs. Mark Hunt (9-7)

Hunt replaced Alistair Overeem due to injury, but even Hunt struggled to make it to this fight.  According to MMAFighting.com, Hunt actually struggled with getting a visa and struggled to make the fight.  Hunt often vented his frustration over Twitter, but fortunately he was able to make it for the fight.  For Junior, he will be look for a win after losing his belt at UFC 155.

When it comes to knockouts, these two are experts.  The two have combined for 18 wins by knockout.  The fight will likely be spent with the fighters on their feet for most of the time, with punches being furiously thrown.

This is going to be a slugfest, and it will be quite fun to watch.

 

Cain Velasquez (11-1) vs. Antonio Silva (18-4)

The championship fight will be the first time Velasquez will defend his title belt that he won against dos Santos.  The fight is a rematch from UFC 146, where Velasquez dominated Silva, winning by TKO in the first round.

The two are opposites when it comes to size, with Velasquez hovering closer to 240 pounds while Silva usually pushes near the 265-pound limit in the division.  Not much stands out in regards to Velasquez’s weaknesses, but his only loss was by knockout in the first round. 

Due to the previous match, Velasquez will be the favorite heading in, but a few solid shots by Silva could end the night early.

It will be the speed of Velasquez against the power of Silva, and it will likely be the most exciting fight of the night.

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UFC 160 Predictions: Who Will Win Each Main Card Fight

UFC 160 is going to have a number of great matchups, and predicting the winners of these will be quite a challenge.   Everyone is looking for the main event between Antonio Silva and Cain Velasquez, the defending heavyweight champion.  Howeve…

UFC 160 is going to have a number of great matchups, and predicting the winners of these will be quite a challenge.  

Everyone is looking for the main event between Antonio Silva and Cain Velasquez, the defending heavyweight champion.  However, there are a few other fights that should be quite exciting as well.

Let’s take a look at each match and project the winner.

Donald Cerrone (20-5, 1 NC) vs. K.J. Noons (11-6)

Winner: Cerrone

Back in the day, Cerrone was a top lightweight contender.  After going 2-2 in his last four fights, that hype has died down a bit, but he should still be the favorite to win this fight.

Noons is just 1-4 in his last five fights, and he struggles mightily with takedowns.  On the other hand, Cerrone has some strong jiu-jitsu skills, with 14 of his 20 wins coming by submission.

If this fight is heavily on the ground, it’s going to be all Cerrone.  He is just too dynamic of a fighter not to win this fight, even if there’s a bit of fighting on their feet.

 

Gray Maynard (11-1-1, 1 NC) vs. T.J. Grant (20-5)

Winner: Grant

This is going to be Maynard’s first fight in almost a year due to a knee injury, so there will likely be some rust to shake off for The Bully.  On the other hand, Grant has been hot since making the switch to lightweight, winning all four fights in the division.

Grant is a solid striker as well as a dangerous fighter on the ground.  He’s looked much stronger since becoming a lightweight, and has some power coming behind his punches on his feet.  He must work on defending takedowns, as that’s been an issue for him.

For Maynard, he likes to focus on dragging out fights to decision.  This likely won’t be the case against Grant, as he is a strong fighter that will likely extend his winning streak in the lightweight division.

 

James Te-Huna (16-5) vs. Glover Teixeira (20-2)

Winner: Teixeira

It’s hard to go against the fighter that’s won 18 straight fights with his last loss dating back to 2005.  His latest win was against Rampage Jackson, winning by decision.

Te-Huna is replacing Ryan Bader, who had to withdraw due to injury.  He’s pretty good on his feet, but he seriously struggles when a fight goes to the ground.

Meanwhile, Teixeira is a solid all-around fighter who prefers to be on his feet as a striker.  His jiu-jitsu background shows, and he can be a solid player when it comes to the submission game, where Te-Huna really struggles.

 

Junior dos Santos (15-2) vs. Mark Hunt (9-7)

Winner: dos Santos

After losing his title belt to Velazquez in UFC 155, dos Santos is looking to finally get some revenge by getting a win and a chance to take back his belt in the near future.

I wouldn’t go against this guy when he’s motivated like that.

Both fighters love to duke it out on their feet, but dos Santos has an advantage in quickness.  He’s around 25 pounds lighter, which gives him the ability to move around the Octagon more effectively. 

Although Hunt has an advantage in power, dos Santos is probably the best fighter in the heavyweight division.  Expect some big blows throughout the fight, but Junior should come away with the victory.

 

Cain Velasquez (11-1) vs. Antonio Silva (18-4)

Winner: Velasquez

This will be the first time Velasquez will have to defend the title belt in his second reign, but he should be able to successfully fend off Silva at UFC 160.

This will still be a close fight, however, as Silva is a monster striker who can knock out just about anyone, including Brock Lesnar.

Velasquez will need to get Silva to the ground to avoid his big shots as a striker.  He is a strong wrestler and should do a good job making an impact on the ground, but it will be a very close match if they are on their feet.

This is a rematch from UFC 146 when Velasquez beat Silva by TKO, and there should be a similar outcome on Saturday.

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Dana White: Matt Riddle’s Comments Won’t Hurt Popularity of UFC

The comments by Matt Riddle on Dana White may have been cruel, but that won’t do anything to affect the popularity of the UFC. Riddle, the former UFC star, was recently fired from the UFC after a second failed drug test for marijuana.  In an…

The comments by Matt Riddle on Dana White may have been cruel, but that won’t do anything to affect the popularity of the UFC.

Riddle, the former UFC star, was recently fired from the UFC after a second failed drug test for marijuana.  In an interview with Stephanie Joplin Sports, Riddle called White a “bald juice monkey”.  He went on to say:

“I really don’t have a reaction to it because, to be honest, Dana White…it’s sad but he’s uneducated to the sport and the industry. He’s calling me a moron for using my medicine when half his fighters are on steroids. It’s pretty offensive, but at the same time, I am looking at the source, and he can’t help himself.”

 He goes on, “Even now, I don’t have a dislike for Dana White or the UFC. But really, he’s just a juice monkey who’s bald, who doesn’t know sh** about business. He just yells the F word and expects things to be handed to him.”

 “What should I do?” He asks me. “Should I get angry? Find out where Dana’s house is in Vegas? Ask him why the f**k did you fire me? Dana White should be thankful I am on medication!”

As far as the comments go, this won’t change anything.  The UFC is still one of the fastest growing sports in the country, and issues over failed drug tests won’t garner any protests in a sport that involves people punching each other repeatedly in the face.

While a drug test for marijuana, regardless of whether or not it is prescribed, is a bit controversial, the popularity of the sport will not be hindered by an unhappy fighter.  In fact, the UFC broke a network record earlier in March.  Fans were able to watch Wanderlei Silva fight Brian Stann for free on March 2nd on FUEL TV, and people tuned in.  According to MMAMania.com, the fight broke the network ratings record for FUEL TV, with 485,000 people tuning in.

The previous record for the network?  Only 217,000 in 2012

UFC 158: St. Pierre vs. Diaz recently had a big viewing as well on FX.  According to Yahoo! Sports, the program brought in over 1.5 million viewers.

It seems that even with the drug testing that the UFC is still just as popular.  The comments by Riddle are just comments by an upset fighter, and people will still be tuning in anyway.

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