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By Anthony De Franco  February 15, 2010, at 3:27 am  Phil Davis is being treated differently than just about any prospect in the history of the UFC. His first fight was shown on PPV despite not being a terribly exciting contest. He was at the post-fight presser alongside names like Chael Sonnen, Randy Couture, and Matt Serra. He is being pushed to the moon very early in his bright career.
Another example of that is his next fight. Alexander Gustafsson is a prospect in his own right. He’s 9-0 and won his UFC debut against Jared Hamman by knocking him out in just 41 seconds.
Despite both of these guys being prospects, they will go at it at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi, according to MMAFrenzy.com:
Phil Davis, fresh off his successful UFC debut at UFC 109, is expected to return to action against Alexander Gustafsson on April 10 in Abu Dhabi, MMAFrenzy.com has confirmed with a source close Gustafsson.
This fight doesn’t make a ton of sense for the UFC. While I never, ever question Joe Silva, it seems to me that it is too early in both careers to be matching these guys up with one another. Unless they have an epic war, one of them is going to lose some luster off their stock. Why do that to two undefeated guys? There has got to be some veteran 205er out there who is not doing anything right now.
As for what the fight will look like, I believe that Davis has serious superstar written all over him. He has simply amazing wrestling, and used it in innovative ways in his last fight with Brian Stann. His standup looked sloppy, and he won’t have much time to really work on it, so expect the gameplan to be to take the swede down and do it quickly.
As for Gustafsson, he will want to stand with the all-American wrestler. He has seven T/KO victories to his credit, and doesn’t want to be on his back at any point.He does have some freestyle wrestling background, but I just can’t imagine it’s anywhere near the level of Davis’. Swedes are too busy playing hockey, and listening to Bjork to learn how to wrestle.
Expect Davis in tougher fight than Stann, but still kind of a walk.
By Jason Comack February 3, 2010, at 10:10 pm Rob Emerson (17-8-1) vs. Phillipe Nover (9-2-1)
The Fighters: In what has become a staple of UFC undercards, this match, between two former Ultimate Fighter contestants, has “loser leaves town written all over it.”
For some reason Rob Emerson seems to have nine lives. He’s 2-2 [1 NC] in the UFC. In his debut fight he got slammed on his dome by Grey Maynard and while it was eventually ruled a no contest it was obvious he would have lost that fight. His two wins were over Kekita Nakamura (a split decision against a fighter who went 0-3 in the UFC) and Manny Gamburyan (who now fights at 145 pounds.) Emerson has solid kickboxing and good takedown defense but not enough to present a serious threat against even middle of the road lightweights.
Nover of course had a ton of hype coming into the Ultimate Fighter Finale. Dana White went as far as to compare him to Anderson Silva….whoops. Nover is 0-2 in the UFC and has had serious medical trouble along the way. Nover feinted in the opening moments of his TUF season and had another incident before his scheduled fight against Sam Stout in September. On the day of the fight Nover had another feinting episode and was not medically cleared to fight.
Breakdown: While Nover is primary a ground fighter his standup is more then adequate. In this fight expect him to look to go to the ground early where he will have a significant advantage against Emerson. The key to this fight will be Emersons take down defense as the only hope he has of winning this fight is on the feet. And even then I’m not so sure how he’d fare.
Prediction: Nover Via Unanimous Decision
Brian Stann (8-2) vs. Phil Davis (4-0)
The Fighters: Brian “All-American” Stann is a former Marine who is probably best known for his three fight trilogy against Steve Cantwell. Since joining the UFC, Stann is 2-1 and 8-2 overall.
Phil Davis is one of the UFC’s newly signed prospects. Considering how many prospects the UFC has let sign with other organizations recently one would assume they think very highly of him. The 25 year old Davis is 4-0 heading into his Octagon debut. Davis was a decorated wrestler at Penn State. He was a 4 time All-American with a career 116-20 record, including a 26-1 senior year where he won an individual title.
Breakdown: While it’s possible Davis will have the so called “UFC jitters” it’s hard to see him losing this fight. While he is raw he’s far too decorated of a wrestler and natural athlete for Stann to contain. Plus do you really think the UFC would make a big deal about signing Davis only to have him lose? Davis is the second coming of Rashad Evans.
Prediction: Davis Via Unanimous Decision
Tim Hague (10-2) vs. Chris Tuchscherer (17-2)
The Fighters: Two guys that are infamous for very different things. Hague was on the wrong end of one of the most embarrassing losses in recent memory (the Todd Duffee power-jab) Tuchscherer in his UFC debut was kicked in the groin by Gabriel Gonzaga in one of the most horrifying sights in recent memory.
Hague fights like a caveman. He keeps his hands and body so square he’s just asking to be knocked out. He’s 1-1 in the UFC and billed as having submission skills but don’t let the one win fool you. Pat Berry, who has no ground game, basically gave Hauge his neck and said “please choke me.” Tuchsherer on the other hand trains with Brock Lesnar and Minnesota MMA. He has legit wrestling skills and was a Division II All-American at Morehead University.
Breakdown: While we haven’t seen a ton of these guys in the Octagon I have yet to be impressed with Hague. His chin is questionable, to say the least, and his stand up game leaves a ton to be desired. The same could be said with Tuchscherer but if nothing else we know he’s incredibly tough and a solid wrestler.
Prediction: Tucscherer TKO Round 2
Rolles Gracie (3-0) vs. Joey Beltran (10-3)
The Fighters: Rolles Gracie continues the legacy of the Gracie Family. He is the son of Rolls Gracie, who was raised by his uncle the Helio Gracie. As the Gracie name would suggest Rolles is an excellent submission fighter and is a second degree blackbelt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. This is Rolles UFC debut. Gracie is 3-0, including one win in the now defunct IFL.
Beltran is replacing Mustapha-Al Turk on very late notice (Al-Turk had visa issues.) The Mexicutioner, awesome nickname, presents a tougher test than Al-Turk would have. Primarily a kickboxer, Beltran is 10-3 with wins over UFC vets Wes Combs and Houston Alexander.
Breakdown: While Gracie is rough around the edges as a complete fighter his ground game is world class. As seen in his other fights his game plan will be simple. He will look to use his boxing to close the distance, clinch and proceed to look for a submission. While Beltran is a solid prospect he lacks top fight experience and will have no answer to Rolles ground skills.
Prediction: Rolles Gracie Rear Naked Choke Round 1
By Jason Comack January 19, 2010, at 5:12 pm As has become the norm Spike TV will air two live prelim fights prior to UFC 109. This time the prelims will feature four lightweights all at a crossroad in their career.
Mac Danzig will meet Justin Buchholz in a lightweight contest, while 155-pounders Melvin Guillard and Ronnys Torres will face off live from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Danzig a former TUF champ is looking is on Octagon life support. He’s lost three fights in a row and is 2-3 in the UFC. His opponent Justin Buchholz finds himself in a similar situation. Buchholz has lost two fights in a row and is 1-3 in his UFC career.
Melvin Guillard is another fighter who desperately needs a win. Guillard is 4-4 in the UFC. The athletic wrestler seemed to be getting on the right track before being submitted by Nate Diaz in his last fight. His opponent, Ronnys Torres, is a highly decorated Brazilian prospect (14-1) making his UFC debut.
Torres was originally scheduled to meet Guillard at Fight Night 18 but had to pull out due to injury. The bout was moved to Fight Night 19 which he also had to pull out of.
I’m a little surprised the UFC is choose Danzig and Guillard to headline the prelims. I thought for sure much hyped welterweight prospect Phil Davis would make the card, as well as Rolles Gracie, because with the last name Gracie can you really go wrong?
Hopefully we get to see those fights as well.
By Anthony De Franco January 14, 2010, at 4:38 pm A few days ago we reported that Kendall Grove would be fighting in Abu Dhabi, but now we know who is fighting. Here is MMA Junkie with the News:
Middleweight Kendall Grove’s (11-6 MMA, 6-3 UFC) mystery opponent at the as-yet-unannounced UFC 112 event could be “The Filipino Wrecking Machine.”
Multiple sources MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) spoke to on Wednesday said Mark Munoz (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) is under intense consideration to face Grove at the event, expected for April 10 in Abu Dhabi at a stadium to be constructed.
It is unknown whether bout agreements have been distributed, but at least one fighter has verbally agreed to the contest.
However, Munoz first needs to be cleared by an orthopedic doctor for injuries suffered during his UFC 108 bout earlier this month before getting the green-light to begin camp.
The former NCAA Division I wrestling champion, who on Wednesday received his purple belt in jiu-jitsu from Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, was suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for potential injuries to his right hand, wrist and elbow during a submission win via strikes over Ryan Jensen at UFC 108.
They broke it down pretty well. However, let’s take a look at this Abu Dhabi card.
Champ Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort for middleweight title
Champ B.J. Penn vs. Frankie Edgar for lightweight title
Renzo Gracie vs. Matt Hughes
Kendall Grove vs. Mark Munoz
Look at that sexy card. Look at it. Lick it.
I’m on record as hating the two championship fights on a card, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not excited to the see the individual fights. Recently, Grove and Munoz could co-main event a card, and now it will be the fourth or fifth.
While I love Kendall Grove, I just don’t think that he is strong enough to hang with Munoz.
By Anthony De Franco December 22, 2009, at 6:28 pm I’ve watched last Saturday’s Strikeforce card a few times now. Mainly because it was a fantastic card, highlighted by two amazing fights. However, another reason is that I wanted to watch “Jacare” Souza’s impressive victory over Matt Lindland again. After assuring myself of what I originally thought, I know that Jacare deserves a title shot.
In addition to an absurd list of BJJ achievements, he has added a striking game as showcased in this past fight. The biggest knock on guys who have a BJJ base is that they never really develop any kind of boxing or kickboxing to go along with their grappling. As a result, you get guys like Demian Maia leaving themselves open for highlight KO’s at the hands of more well-rounded fighters like Nate Marquardt.
According to the post-fight presser, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker suggested that “Jacare” is in line for a rematch with “Mayhem” Miller whom he was involved in a No Contest with in DREAM. Miller connected with an illegal upkick that opened a cut on Souza’s face that ended the fight. With the advancement in Souza’s game, I don’t expect him to have a problem with the clown prince of MMA.
However, why waste our time by giving him Miller? There is going to be a middleweight title fight between Dan Henderson and current champion Jake Shields. Henderson is a legend on the sport, and will likely defeat Shields, who is a transplanted welterweight. Is there a more exciting match-up for Strikeforce than Hendo v. Jacare? I really don’t think so.
What are you risking by waiting? The only problem is the potential for injury for the title winner. However, if that happens, you just place Jacare against Miller for the number one contendership. Problem solved.
Jacare against Hendo would put an Olympic wrestler against a BJJ master. A good style matchup would pull in fighter, even if I expect Hendo to KO Jacare before it ever gets to the ground. The point is that the fight would make money.
That’s what Strikeforce needs.
By Anthony De Franco December 18, 2009, at 5:47 pm Takeya Mizugaki vs. Scott Jorgensen
Mizugaki is a true bantamweight contender. He had won five in a row before walking into the WEC and getting a shot at Miguel Torres, losing an unanimous decision to the world’s best bantamweight at the time. He came back with a win over Jeff Curran, but it was a split decision and not all that impressive. He’s got to get this win over Jorgenson to remain relevant.
Jorgenson in replacing Damacio Page, who was injured during training for this fight. Jorgenson is 3-2 in the WEC, coming off a win against Noah Thomas. Let’s be honest here, this was supposed to be a showdown between two contenders, and now it’s a fight to show off Mizugaki. Jorgenson needs to take Mizugaki down and hold him there to win.
Prediction: Mizugaki via TKO
Joseph Benavidez v. Rani Yahya
Benavidez trains with Team Alpha Male and Urijah Faber. Which means that I love him desperately. His last fight against Dominick Cruz was a good contest, but he lost a unanimous decision that I thought was a lot closer than the scores would have indicated. A good wrestler with decent submissions, Benavidez is a good bantamweight prospect.
Yahya’s name is pronounced Ya-Ya. Like the kid from The Sandlot. He’s a former Abu Dhabi champion, which means that you know that his submissions are excellent. More evidence: he’s 3-0 in the WEC and all three of his fights have ended in submission of the night. The key to this matchup his Benavidez in Yahya’s guard. Can Yahya submit him, or will he finally get punched in the face and put in a bad situation?
Prediction: Benavidez via TKO
Anthony Njokuani v. Chris Hordecki
Njokuani is an exciting prospect for the WEC. He’s 2-1 in the WEC, and is only loss is to current lightweight interim champ Ben Henderson. His last two fights have ended with knockouts, and KO of the night honors. He’ll want to keep this fight on the feet, and if he does, he has a good shot to score yet another knockout.
His opponent is willing to stand and bang. Hordecki is a guy that WEC general manager has been trying to sign for a long time. He’s an IFL veteran who is 13-1 in his MMA career. He’s already said that he is planning to stand with the Nigeran-American. Don’t expect any submissions in this one.
Prediction: Njokuani via TKO
Donald Cerrone v. Ed Ratcliff
Cerrone has already said that is planning to drop to 145 lbs after this fight regardless of the outcome. He has been a top-tier WEC lightweight for a long time, and will be added to an already stacked featherweight division. In his loss to Ben Henderson, Cerrone put up a fight but ultimately was controlled from the top by Henderson and was unable to use his jiu-jitsu to get a victory. He’s well rounded, but at his best on the ground.
Ratcliff is 7-1 in his MMA career and has a 2-1 record in the WEC. He’s primarily a standup fighter that hits very hard. His best hope is to end this fight quickly with a KO, and if he doesn’t he might be in trouble.
Prediction: Cerrone via submission
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