UFC 112 Preview

I'm a huge fan of Mixed Martial Arts, mostly due to the fact that I wrestled all through high school and MMA and wrestling go hand in hand. When a big Pay Per View fight comes up, I do whatever I can to watch it. Tonight is UFC 112: Invincible, which features two Championship matches. I will offer my opinion on who will win the fights that will be shown on PPV and add a little commentary.

Middleweight: Kendall Grove (185) vs. Mark Munoz (185)- These are two men who have been touted as talented fighters but they have rarely lived up to the billing. Grove has tremendous length and reach and he offers a great Muay Thai game. Munoz is a short, stocky middleweight who can take down almost anyone with his wrestling pedigree. Classic match-up of different styles that looks good on paper but will probably end up boring the crowd.

Winner: Grove by Split Decision

Lightweight: Rafael dos Anjos (156) vs. Terry Etim (154)- Dos Anjos and Etim are two guys that are not really in the discussion for being a top contender in the Lightweight division, but with a win over each other, they could be another one to two wins away from challenging for the title. So yeah, this fight has very little significance. Etim has a four fight win streak and I see him continuing his roll.

Winner: Etim by Unanimous Decision

Welterweight: Matt Hughes (170) vs. Renzo Gracie (171)- Two big names going at it in this one (Hughes being a UFC staple and Gracie having a famous last name in the world of MMA). Hughes is younger, more decorated, and much more disliked by me. He is a passively-aggressive cocky guy which is the kind of guy that I hate. He'll look you in the eyes and smile as he mutters comment after comment of how much better than you he thinks he is. I hate Matt Hughes and have never understood his appeal as a fighter, but he'll dominate Gracie in this one.

Winner: Hughes by TKO (Ground and Pound) in the 1st

Lightweight Championship: Champion B.J. Penn (155) vs. Challenger Frankie Edgar (154)- Edgar is the next challenger set up for Penn and he is being billed as the prototypical underdog. Edgar has a nice wrestling background, he is from New Jersey (The butthole of America) and he has been fighting since he was young. This kid is being hyped up by everyone in the UFC as a great fighter who could be the one to finally end Penn's dominance. But I don't believe them. Penn is nicknamed "The Prodigy" because no one really understands how he does what he does in the cage. This guy has a bit of a pot belly, he is balding, and no one is really sure if he is a dick or a nice guy. But he gets in the cage and destroys people with his fists, and then he smothers them with submissions that involve all four of his limbs. I don't get how he is as good as he is, all I know is that I would not bet against him in a Lightweight fight.

Winner: Penn by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in the 5th

Middleweight Championship: Anderson Silva (185) vs. Demian Maia (184)- Two very talented Brazilians are going to battle it out for the Middleweight title and it is going to be a disappointment. First, Maia was knocked out by Nate Marquardt in less than 30 seconds. Marquardt recently lost to Chael Sonnen (University of Oregon Alum!) and Maia submitted Sonnen in the first round. Basically, there is no clear #1 contender in this weight class, which means Silva will not be challenged. Second, Maia is renowned for his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ability, but that doesn't make for an exciting fight. Take into account that Silva is the best stand-up fighter in the world of MMA and that just screams that Maia will be running away from Silva or constantly looking for take downs and failing. Third, Silva never takes unnecessary risks in his fights and he will not chase and engage Maia if Maia decides to be extremely cautious and wait for a take down opportunity. These three points that I have made lead me to believe that this fight will not be entertaining, but I would watch Silva fight anyone at this point. He is at that level to me where his fights are must see TV.

Winner: Silva by a disappointing Unanimous Decision

So by the end of this PPV, the people will want either Penn-St. Pierre III or St. Pierre-Silva or even Silva-Machida/Rua (Whoever wins their rematch). These fights will and should happen, but only at opportune times for the UFC. So look for a superfight to happen in either the 4th of July part of the year, or at the end of the year PPV that always has a good amount of solid fights. And if I had to pick an upset in the big three fights, I would pick Edgar over Penn, but that is a huge longshot that I wouldn't touch. That's my preview and I can't wait to see the fights.