UFC Middleweight bout: Brian Stann vs. Alessio Sakara
Odds: (-400 Stann /+300 Sakara )
Betting Pick: Stann
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In the semi-main event, two heavy-handed strikers will do battle in the Middleweight division as former WEC champ Brian “All-American” Stann meets Alessio “Legionarius” Sakara. Both of these guys have a lot of experience and dangerous amounts of punching power, so this is a fight that promises some fireworks. With both men coming off disappointing losses in a very competitive 185 pound division, a win here is extremely important for both if they want to reassert themselves as legitimate contenders. These guys both like to stand and trade shots, and both of them have fight-ending power, so this onecould come down to who lands a big shot first.
Brian “All-American” Stann is a former WEC Light Heavyweight champion with very dangerous striking and a decent all-around game. An active-duty Marine who trains with Greg Jackson’s team in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Stann is an extremely tough guy who has continued to grow as a Mixed Martial Artist. Since moving to UFC after WEC closed its higher weight classes, Stann has put together an impressive 5-3 record, with quality wins over Chris Leben and Jorge Santiago under his belt. Stann has some ground game, but he doesn’t tend to use his wrestling offensively. He is definitely the kind of fighter who prefers to stand toe to toe and let his hands go, and in Sakara he has an opponent who will be more than willing to oblige him.
Alessio “Legionarius” Sakara is a long-time UFC veteran with very formidable striking of his own. His UFC tenure has been marked by inconsistent performances which have kept him from breaking into the upper reaches of the division, but he is still a very dangerous fighter, especially with his punching. No one who has seen Sakara fight doubts that he has the punching power to make Stann pay for any mistakes he might make, but the big question mark is how well his chin, which is somewhat spotty, will hold up against Stann’s power punching.
This promises to be a very exciting Middleweight bout. Both guys have fight-ending power and are more than willing to trade big shots, but I think the edge has to go to Stann because he is the better wrestler and has a stronger chin. Sakara’s chin is much easier to exploit, and in an even striking exchange I think Sakara will be in more danger. Stann also has the ability to ground the fight if he finds himself in trouble, a luxury Sakara will probably not enjoy. In the end, I expect this fight to play out primarily on the feet, and eventually I think Stann will start landing the bigger shots and exploit Sakara’s weak chin. Stann by T/KO.
Prediction: Brian Stann by second round T/KO.
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