UFC 167 will get under way on Saturday night, and there are several quality fighters that appear to be poised to absolutely dominate their opponents.
The title match at UFC 167 will be between current champion Georges St-Pierre and challenger Johny Hendricks. St-Pierre hasn’t lost in 10 straight title defenses, while Hendricks is 15-1 and will give GSP a run for his money.
With such talented fighters in the title bout, neither fighter should dominate the contest. It may very well go to a judge’s decision, but expect the results to be close if that’s the case.
As for the rest of the fights, expect a few dominating performances from some lesser known fighters.
Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen is taking on Rashad Evans for UFC 167, and the struggles/inconsistencies of Evans over the past three fights will work in Sonnen‘s favor.
Evans has hesitated to deliver powerful strikes in those past three matches—hence the struggles—and hesitating against Sonnen will result in a quick defeat. Sonnen has never been shy about unleashing a string of violent blows, and two or three solid combinations could be enough to wear Evans down.
Sonnen may dominate the fight on his feet, but he’ll win the fight on the ground. Sonnen is a great fighter on the mat and will tire Evans before taking him down to the ground. With Evans on the ground, all Sonnen has to do is use his wrestling skills to win.
Evans is a great fighter, but his recent hesitation in three previous fights leaves me weary. I think Sonnen will take this fight in a unanimous decision, and it won’t be remotely close.
Rory MacDonald
This bout between Rory MacDonald and Robbie Lawler won’t even be close. It probably won’t even make it to a judge’s decision.
MacDonald has been deemed the next great fighter in the welterweight class, and this fight will put him on the perfect stage to demonstrate just how complete of a fighter he is. He’s a tactical fighter, but he also packs more punch than you’d expect.
Combining his strategic skills with his subtle power make him the total package. Lawler has done well in recent fights, but MacDonald’s skills are far and away superior to his opponent’s.
MacDonald will use his tactical skills to get Lawler on the ground, and then his power to grapple him into submission. While on the ground, don’t expect Lawler to find his way back to his feet. Once MacDonald brings the fight to the mat, Lawler may as well just tap.
Whether it be via knockout or submission, MacDonald will prove he is one of the next great fighters of the welterweight division.
Sergio Pettis
Sergio Pettis, younger brother of Anthony Pettis, will put his 9-0 record to the test against Will Campuzano. This match won’t last very long at all.
Pettis is exceptionally quick. He likes to bounce around and sprinkle in a flurry of kicks and punches before backing off and regrouping for another onslaught. Campuzano, who is more of a bruiser, will struggle against a much quicker opponent.
The key to this fight will be how composed Pettis is in his first UFC appearance. Previously, he was the RFA flyweight champion and the NAFC bantamweight champion.
Pettis will bring his career mark to 10-0 after quickly disposing Campuzano. The bout likely won’t last more than a round or two.
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