Austin, Texas is the site for what could be an epic UFC fight card. On Saturday, the Frank Erwin Center will play host to UFC Fight Night 57.
The event is headlined by a scrap between contending featherweights. No. 3 Frankie Edgar and No. 2 Cub Swanson will square off in a bout that could land the winner a shot at champion Jose Aldo.
Swanson has already fought Aldo once. It happened in 2009 when both men were still in the WEC. Aldo scored a TKO victory after landing a superb flying knee.
In an interview with 105.3 The Fan Richard Hunter, Swanson says he thinks a win over Edgar should be enough to get him another shot at Aldo.
Winning is about all Swanson has done since he was submitted by Ricardo Lamas in 2011. Since the setback, Swanson is on a six-fight win streak with four of those wins coming by stoppage. He’s not just winning; he’s doing it in thrilling fashion.
He’s earned Fight Night bonuses in four of the six bouts during his streak.
Edgar knows a little bit about winning Fight Night bonuses. He has won Fight of the Night seven times, and KO of the Night once.
The future Hall of Famer who is on a two-fight win streak himself. Most recently, Edgar pounded another legend in B.J. Penn in their third meeting. Edgar has already been a UFC champion at lightweight.
If he’s able to ascend up the 145-pound ladder, he could become just the third man to hold a world title at two different weight classes in the UFC. Penn and Randy Couture are the others.
The potential for a great fight is evident.
The Swanson-Edgar tilt is just one of the fights on tap. Here’s a look at the full card, predictions and viewing information. Just below the table is a closer look at the three biggest fights on the main card.
Chico Camus Will Out-Work Brad Pickett
Pickett has been around for a long time. The 36-year-old’s career spans 10 years. He’s been fighting in the UFC since 2011. Up to now, serious contention has eluded him.
No one has ever questioned his talent. He actually owns a win over flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson from their days in the WEC. As of late, Pickett has been inconsistent as he has alternated wins and losses in his last six fights. Most recently, he lost a unanimous decision to Ian McCall.
If Pickett sticks to his pattern, he’ll knock off Camus. Here’s the reason I believe things are about to break from the script.
Camus isn’t extraordinarily skilled in one area. However, he is a tireless worker who is as active on the ground as anyone you’ll find. He’s seven years younger than Pickett, and I believe he’ll have more gas in his tank late in a physical bout.
Expect Pickett’s power and wrestling prowess to earn him the first round, but Camus will come on in the second and third to take the decision.
Bobby Green Will Outlast Edson Barboza
If Barboza is going to have a chance to win this fight, he needs to catch Green with something big early. The Brazilian has some of the most devastating kicks in the sport. His leg kicks are especially brutal. He owns two stoppages due to his lower-body attack.
Many may remember his brutal KO of Terry Etim as another point of reference.
You better believe Green has seen the footage on Barboza. The former is a solid defensive fighter, thus he should be very aware of Barboza‘s kicking game.
Per FightMetric, Green avoids 70 percent of the strikes attempted against him. Unless he gets uncharacteristically careless against Barboza, Green should stay away from the big strike and the leg kicks.
By using his movement and countering skills, Green will likely find an opening to take Barboza to the mat. Usually, Green prefers to stand and fight, but against Barboza, that’s not the right approach.
Green will use movement to frustrate Barboza early. He will look to counter strikes with takedowns in the second round, and to score the submission win in the third round after he’s tired out his opponent.
Edgar’s Skill Will Push Him Past Swanson
Saturday night’s event will mark the eighth time Edgar has been in a main event bout. It’ll be just the second time Swanson has been part of the featured attraction.
Edgar has mounds of experience in big-time, five-round scraps. He’s tough as nails having never been stopped in a bout. Because striking power is the major quality Swanson brings into the Octagon, it’s difficult to see him defeating Edgar.
As this fight gets into the championship rounds, Edgar will be the fresher fighter. That will give him a clear edge late in the bout. Edgar is the more skilled and well-rounded fighter. Ultimately he’ll find his opening.
I’m betting he seizes the opportunity around the fourth round. A fatigued Swanson might be ripe for Edgar to grab an advantageous ground position that leads to a submission win.
Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.
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