John Lineker and Michael McDonald will clash TONIGHT (July 13, 2016) at UFC Fight Night 91 inside Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In a match up of heavy hitters, what adjustments must be made for either man to claim victory? Find out below!
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight brawlers John Lineker and Michael McDonald will throw down TONIGHT (July 13, 2016) at UFC Fight Night 91 inside Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
At first, it wasn’t clear whether or not Lineker was a true Bantamweight contender or simply a fat Flyweight. While he’s yet to face the division’s elite, a pair of dominant wins at 135 pounds have carved out a position for him already. Despite contending for the strap at age 22 three years ago, McDonald’s position in the division is also a bit uncertain. He may have won his last bout, but it came off a two year layoff and was hardly his best performance.
Let’s take a look at the keys to victory for both athletes:
John Lineker
Record: 27-7
Key Wins: Francisco Rivera (UFC 191), Rob Font (UFC 198), Ian McCall (UFC 183)
Key Losses: Ali Bagautinov (UFC 169)
Keys to Victory: Lineker is a pressure fighter with a trio of bricks assorted between his fists and jawline. The boxer walks his opponents down, tries to trap them along the fence, and unloads at every possible opportunity.
It’s the same strategy in every fight. Luckily, it’s worked far more often than not and has made Lineker a fan favorite, particularly impressive for a fighter in the lighter weight classes.
Opposite McDonald, that’s really not a bad strategy. McDonald packs a seriously nasty punch of his own, but Lineker is absolutely fearless in a firefight. There are very few fighters at Bantamweight that hit harder than Francisco Rivera, so if Lineker can win a brawl in that bout, he can pull out ahead here as well.
Just to mix it up a bit, I wouldn’t mind see Lineker shoot for a takedown along the fence as well. McDonald’s defensive wrestling looked rather iffy in his last bout, and Lineker is a physically powerful man.
While grappling with McDonald for the whole fight isn’t a great idea, putting the takedown threat in the back of his mind could open up the knockout blow.
VS.
Michael McDonald
Record: 17-3
Key Wins: Brad Pickett (UFC Fight Night 26), Miguel Torres (UFC 145), Chris Cariaso (UFC 130)
Key Losses: Urijah Faber (UFC on FOX 9), Renan Barao (UFC on Fuel TV 7)
Keys to Victory: McDonald is a talented kickboxer with major knockout power and a dangerous submission game. Though he’s only 25 years old, McDonald has actually been a professional fighter since the age of 16 and is rather experienced.
In this bout, patience should be a big key. If McDonald steps straight into the center of the Octagon, stands his ground, and tries to knock Lineker out cold, it might work out.
He also might take a nap.
Instead, McDonald needs to work from the outside and use his reach advantage. Unlike Rob Font, McDonald has to be sure to occasionally plant and land with enough force to deter Lineker at least a bit.
If Lineker becomes frustrated, McDonald should be able to find some big counter opportunities. The Brazilian has a habit of lunging in with hooks, so if the lengthier American can counter that with a powerful cross, it could be the end of the bout.
Alternatively, McDonald could attempt to back Lineker up with his own power punches and level change into takedowns. Lineker may be muscular, but his frame does not really fit Bantamweight, and he’s never shown jiu-jitsu like McDonald.
If the American gets on top, Lineker is in for a bad time.
Bottom Line: The winner is in the title mix.
This is a big step up in competition for Lineker, and it’s his chance to prove himself a potential contender in his new division. With a win here — which, if it happens, is almost certain to be a big knockout — Lineker is likely one big fight away from a title shot.
On the other hand, a loss would put Lineker in an interesting place. Does he put his nose back to the grindstone and try to drive towards the Bantamweight title still? Or will he beg for another chance to make Flyweight?
McDonald is sitting at number five in the rankings without any wins over current ranked fighters. That leaves him in a rather vulnerable position, as a loss could drop him down quite a bit.
If he wins, however, McDonald is right back in the title mix. Like his opponent, he’ll probably need at least one more win to actually get a shot, but he’s proven that he’s still a relevant player at 135 lbs.
TONIGHT at UFC Fight Night 91, John Lineker and Michael McDonald will scrap in the main event. Which fighter will remain standing when the dust settles?