Whether you just have a short downtime during work or don’t want a lengthy breakdown, these “Quick Breaks” are for you. “Quick Breaks” are short breakdowns of upcoming fights. In a summed up focus of strengths, weaknesses and variables, this will analyze what could happen in the fight and end with this writer’s prediction.
The UFC will return to the Staples Center in California to put on a light-heavyweight showdown between two very dangerous strikers.
In a division dominated by the young and talented Jon Jones, contenders are scrambling and trying to climb their way to a chance to dethrone him. This will be UFC’s fourth event on the FOX network, which will air at 8:00PM EST, with prelims airing on Fuel TV before at 5:00OM EST.
In the blue corner you have Brandon Vera. Truly a fight of huge significance, “The Truth” is looking to get back to his winning ways.
After having some rough years in the UFC recently, Vera has a chance to beat a top contender and get his name back into the upper echelon. Vera is 12-5(1), and he has had only one victory inside the Octagon in the past three years. Shogun will be a test for him, but his Muay Thai and jiu jitsu are very strong parts of his skillset. It will be interesting to see how his skills match up against his opponent’s.
In the red corner you have Mauricio Rua. “Shogun” himself has had a back and forth success the past few years, but has remained in the spotlight due to his skills and his epic battle with Dan Henderson.
Shogun is 20-6, and will be coming off a loss, as opposed to the one win that Vera is riding. However, because of the performance he had with Hendo and because Vera’s recent win was a decision, it is hard to tell who is riding the better momentum. Shogun’s Muay Thai and overall kicks and strikes pose a big challenge for anyone in the division, and he will be testing himself against someone with similar strengths.
Since both men possess strong standup skills, this fight should be a war.
The question might be which Shogun will show up, since his performances have varied fight-by-fight. An on-point Shogun is a lethal one, and Brandon Vera healthy and ready is a threat as well. Both men will surely throw kicks and various strikes, but the ferocity of Shogun’s striking might gain him the upper hand. If someone is walking away with a stoppage, odds favor the former champ in Shogun Rua.
Both men have tasted brutal defeat at the hands of Jon Jones, and both men are in need of a strong win. In a match that should showcase some great striking, Shogun and Vera will top off a night of great fights.
Prediction: Shogun Rua wins via TKO in the first or second round.
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