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, thi…
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.
UFC 146 is now upon us, and it brings us the UFC’s first-ever all-heavyweight main card. This event takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Headlining the card is a heavyweight championship showdown between Junior “Cigano” Dos Santos and Frank Mir.
In the blue corner, you have Frank Mir, who is riding a three-fight win streak. He is currently 16-5 and is a two-time heavyweight champion. No stranger to a title shot, Frank Mir has shown his composure and technicality in his fights, and he will be well-prepared for this match. Also, more than half of his wins have come by submission.
Coming off a huge win against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, where he submitted the BJJ expert and broke his arm, Mir has great momentum going into this fight. He will look to once again attain the UFC gold.
In the red corner, you have the champion, Junior Dos Santos. JDS has shown great striking prowess and is arguably one of the best boxers in MMA. His heavy hands and technical striking have led him to be 14-1 in his career, riding a nine-fight winning streak and unbeaten in the UFC. Out of his 14 victories, 10 have been by KO/TKO. The heavyweight title has not been defended more than twice, and Junior looks to cement his legacy and prove he is a true champion.
Styles make fights, as they say, and this one will certainly be a war of style. In this fight, you have arguably the best striker in the HW division facing arguably the best submission specialist in the division.
Frank Mir does have hands, and his striking should never be overlooked, but on the ground, he is another animal. If this fight goes to the ground, Mir could emerge victorious. JDS does have BJJ skills, but he has not shown the need to use those skills in his fights, and Mir statistically has the higher level.
Every fight starts standing, though, and the outcome will be determined on where the fight goes from there.
Prediction: Junior Dos Santos wins via TKO in the first round
Tonight, the UFC unleashes its first ever all-heavyweight main card, as UFC 146 goes down in Las Vegas, Nev.The main event features a matchup between Junior dos Santos and Frank Mir with the heavyweight title on the line. In addition to that fight, the…
Tonight, the UFC unleashes its first ever all-heavyweight main card, as UFC 146 goes down in Las Vegas, Nev.
The main event features a matchup between Junior dos Santos and Frank Mir with the heavyweight title on the line. In addition to that fight, there’s Cain Velasquez against Antonio Silva, Roy Nelson against Dave Herman, Stefan Struve against Lavar Johnson and more.
Many may also be excited about the prelims on FX, featuring Diego Brandao, Jason “Mayhem” Miller and Edson Barboza, among others.
Let’s take a look at who could be walking away with some extra cash from a fight night bonus.
UFC 146 will get underway tonight at 6:45 p.m.. Aside from the pay-per-view main event, there are several preliminary fights taking place on FX and Facebook.Let’s take a look at who fights, when they fight and where each preliminary fight can be found …
UFC 146 will get underway tonight at 6:45 p.m.. Aside from the pay-per-view main event, there are several preliminary fights taking place on FX and Facebook.
Let’s take a look at who fights, when they fight and where each preliminary fight can be found for your viewing pleasure.
The premier matchup is undoubtedly Brown vs. Pineda.
Brown is a former featherweight champion. Pineda has won seven straight fights. This sets up a very interesting preliminary battle.
Brown has fallen from grace against better competition as of late, but his grappling skills are still top notch. He can overpower Pineda late in this match, something Pineda has had a problem with whenever he does happen to lose.
Pineda is one of the hottest fighters in MMA today, but Brown will put a stop to that run tonight.
Hardy and Ludwig provide a great matchup in this grouping. Ludwig has been one of MMA’s best strikers for a very long time and Hardy used to be one of the sport’s biggest rising stars.
Both are dangerous, but Hardy is more fit to win. Ludwig struggles to take any punishment, and Hardy loves to dish it out.
Dollaway and Miller should be interesting as well.
Both are above average wrestlers with so-so reputations overall. Dollaway and Miller will put on a master display of submission and grappling techniques this evening.
While the main card for UFC 146 is going to get all the attention because of the all-heavyweight gimmick and Junior dos Santos defending the UFC Heavyweight Championship in the main event, the preliminary card offers a number of appealing fights that a…
While the main card for UFC 146 is going to get all the attention because of the all-heavyweight gimmick and Junior dos Santos defending the UFC Heavyweight Championship in the main event, the preliminary card offers a number of appealing fights that are worth watching.
As is the case with all UFC shows, you can catch most of the preliminary card on the FX Network starting at 8 p.m. ET. There will be four fights taking place on that network, but that leaves three non-main card fights you won’t be able to see.
Using a formula that appears to be working well for the company, UFC 146 will feature the first three fights streaming live on the UFC Facebook page. All you have to do is “Like” UFC and a video stream will show up.
Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
When: Saturday, May 26
Start Time: Preliminary Fights Start at 6:45 p.m. ET
One of the smart things about airing these fights on Facebook is the fighters will get the exposure they normally wouldn’t get just fighting in front of a live crowd—most of which will arrive late just to see the main card and go home.
In order to keep the sport growing, UFC has to do all it can to make new stars. To do that, it has to make everyone’s fights easily accessible. Live streaming the preliminary card will continue to work wonders for the company and the fighters.
Taking a page out of the professional wrestling handbook, UFC is going with an all-heavyweight gimmick pay-per-view for UFC 146 to celebrate the Memorial Day holiday. While they are not the most nimble or technically sound fighters in the sport, h…
Taking a page out of the professional wrestling handbook, UFC is going with an all-heavyweight gimmick pay-per-view for UFC 146 to celebrate the Memorial Day holiday.
While they are not the most nimble or technically sound fighters in the sport, heavyweights are always exciting to watch because you are almost guaranteed to see a knockout.
With five main card fights featuring 10 heavyweights, including Junior dos Santos defending the heavyweight championship for the first time against Frank Mir, the action will be fast and furious.
Here are bold predictions for all five main card fights at UFC 146.
Stefan Struve (23-5, 6 KOs, 15 Subs) vs. Lavar Johnson (17-5, 15 KOs, 2 Subs)
Johnson is taking this fight on just 10 days’ notice, after Struve’s original opponent Mark Hunt had to withdraw due to a knee injury. Having just fought Pat Barry at UFC on FOX earlier this month, Johnson should still be in top shape for this fight.
However, the stress of having two fights in such close proximity to each other is going to be incredibly taxing.
Struve is a rising star in the heavyweight division and is starting to come into his own with two straight wins, one via knockout and the other via submission. He is going to find the winner’s circle for the third consecutive fight thanks to a strong ground fighting style and Johnson overtaxing his body.
Prediction: Struve wins via second-round TKO
Stipe Miocic (8-0, 6 KOs, 1 Sub) vs. Shane del Rosario (11-0, 8 KOs, 3 Subs)
Neither fighter has a lot of UFC experience. In fact, del Rosario is making his UFC debut after fighting in Strikeforce the previous two years.
Miocic is very much a one-dimensional fighter—he wants to stand and trade with anything that moves. It has been an effective style for him so far, but he will have to show more against del Rosario.
While del Rosario is not the most dynamic fighter in the world, he does have enough of a ground game to cause problems for Miocic if he can get him down. Even if he doesn’t, del Rosario has enough power to end this fight with one punch.
Prediction: del Rosario wins via third-round Submission
Roy Nelson (16-7, 9 KOs, 5 Subs) vs. Dave Herman (21-3, 15 KOs, 5 Subs)
I am going to go out on a not-very-long limb and say that this is going to be the best and most exciting fight of the night.
Nelson, while not the best fighter in the world, is going to give you every drop of sweat and blood he has each time he steps in the cage. He has one of the best chins in the sport, which will serve him well against a knockout artist like Herman.
Herman is in that tweener area. He has a nice record with a lot of knockouts, but he doesn’t have a signature win. He is not a crisp striker. He relies more on his power to get knockouts than actually using good technique to attack an opponent.
Nelson gets the slight edge in this contest, just because I don’t see how Herman is going to knock him out.
Prediction: Nelson wins via second-round TKO
Cain Velasquez (9-1, 8 KOs) vs. Antonio Silva (16-3, 11 KOs, 3 Subs)
Silva got put in a prime spot for his UFC debut after Frank Mir was moved up to the main event. He will be looking to get back on track following a quick loss to newly-minted Strikeforce heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier in the semifinals of the Heavyweight Grand Prix.
Velasquez is coming off the first defeat of his career. He was embarrassed by Junior dos Santos at the first UFC on FOX special, losing the heavyweight title in the process.
This is a combat sport and anyone can be beaten on any given night, but it is hard to envision a scenario where Velasquez loses. He is a better all-around fighter than Silva and has the incentive of a potential title shot to push him over the edge.
Prediction: Velasquez wins via first-round TKO
Heavyweight Championship: Junior dos Santos (c) (14-1, 10 KOs, 2 Subs) vs. Frank Mir (16-5, 3 KOs, 9 Subs)
Like the Velasquez-Silva fight, dos Santos vs. Mir should not be close. Mir is talking a great game, but as far as skills go, he is no longer in the elite class of heavyweight fighters. He was getting destroyed by Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira before catching Big Nog in a kimura.
On the other hand, dos Santos just keeps getting stronger with each fight. He is the best pure striker in the division and one of the best in the sport. His boxing has carried him to this point, but his wrestling and defense have made him what he is.
Mir should be thanking his lucky stars that he is in this spot, because it will be the last time he is fighting for the heavyweight championship.
On Saturday night, the UFC’s first ever main card comprised solely of heavyweights will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada.Ten of the baddest dudes on the planet will square off, culminating in a heavyweight title fight featuring Junior dos Santos against…
On Saturday night, the UFC’s first ever main card comprised solely of heavyweights will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ten of the baddest dudes on the planet will square off, culminating in a heavyweight title fight featuring Junior dos Santos against Frank Mir.
The fighters on the main card range from prospects to veterans to champions and former champions. Let’s take a look at a power ranking of the 10 heavyweights on the main card.
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.