Kenny Florian gets his shot at featherweight king and pound-for-pound star Jose Aldo tomorrow night at UFC 136 in Houston. The champ is a large favorite going into the fight and the question is, can Florian pull off the upset?
There is one major advantage I see for Florian in this one and that is his coaching, camp and ability to game plan to victory. Aldo is the superior fighter in skill alone, but Florian has a very solid MMA machine behind him, and that help and experience is his key to victory.
If Florian can stick to, and execute, the game plan his team sets out for him, he most certainly can pull off the upset tomorrow night. We have seen Florian work a strategy in all his big fights but not always to success.
I see him trying to smother Aldo to the cage and the ground in order to nullify the power which Aldo possesses. Florian won his featherweight debut in this fashion as well.
After standing with Diego Nunes early and not getting the upper hand, he shifted to the jab, take downs and grappling control to pour it on and take the fight. If he couldn’t get the upper hand standing with Nunes, he certainly won’t with Aldo so look for Florian to wrestle.
I think Aldo will push him off and try to keep distance all night. He will use his strikes and power to win, but don’t be completely surprised if Florian “GSPs” his way to the upset.
If Aldo wins by employing his strategy, we are in for a very fun fight to watch. If Florian can impose his will, it will be a disappointing fight for the fans to watch but a satisfying upset for Florian.
Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA and (also a Correspondent for MMACanada.net)
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