Welterweight bout: Josh Koscheck vs. Paul Daley
Odds: (-240 Koscheck /+190 Daley )
In the semi-main event of the evening, dominant wrestler Josh Koscheck will take on heavy-handed British slugger Paul “Semtex” Daley. In addition to the fact that the winner will likely find himself next in line for a shot at Georges St. Pierre’s Welterweight title, these two guys plain do not like each other, which adds an extra layer to this fight.
Josh Koscheck, arguably the most hated Ultimate Fighter cast member this side of Junie Browning, has developed into an extremely formidable fighter. He has always had utterly dominant wrestling and top control, but he has actually developed into a pretty fearsome striker as well, something that has both advanced and hindered his career. Obviously, improved standup is not a bad thing, but Koscheck has shown a tendency to abandon his base in favor of more exciting striking exchanges. It is imperative that, against Daley, he doesn’t throw caution to the wind, because he will get utterly dismantled on his feet.
Daley, like his teammate Dan Hardy who recently recieved a shot at the Welterweight title, is an extremely dynamic striker with loads of technique and knockout power. Also like Hardy, his takedown defense and ability to work off his back are very questionable. There is no question that, in a standup fight, Daley will blast Koscheck into unconsciousness, but there is a lot of doubt as to whether or not Daley can stop a single one of Koscheck’s takedown attempts.
Basically, this fight depends on Koscheck’s gameplan. If he is willing to go out and trade with Daley, he will get destroyed. If he decides to work from top position and grind out a win with ground and pound, he will do so easily. I think with the stakes so high, Koscheck will revert to his base, and easily control Daley en route to a unanimous decision.
Prediction: Josh “KOs” Koscheck via unanimous decision.
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