In my last two posts, I gave my take on the main events of UFC 170. If you read them, you know I expect Ronda Rousey and Daniel Cormier to win their fights tonight. But what about the other fights? Well, I have a take on some of them, too.
Let's chat first about Rory "Canadian Psycho" McDonald (I gave him that nickname) versus Demian Maia. This is an intriguing matchup for several reasons. The first reason is that these guys are two of the very best fighters in the world at 170 pounds. Any time I get to see high-level mma, I get excited.
The second reason is that they're both coming off losses, and guys coming off losses typically fight with a greater sense of urgency than guys coming off win-streaks. They want to keep their jobs. And the UFC has been pretty quick to axe losing fighters.
Of the two, Rory may have taken his loss the best. In an interview following his split decision defeat to veteran, Robbie Lawler, he sounded almost relieved. Rory was being hailed as the next Georges St. Pierre. Expectations were crazy high, as was the pressure to perform. Now, with a loss, he feels like he can simply concentrate on fighting.
Demian Maia, on the other hand, had to feel a lot more frustration after his loss to Jake Shields. Maia had been scratching and clawing his way back up the ranks, looking to find one more title shot before he called it quits. In his previous title shot, he fought at Middleweight, 15 pounds heavier, and against the greatest of all time: Anderson Silva. Silva beat him up. Since then, he had managed to win a few fights, got within smelling distance of a title shot, and then lost again. That happened 3 times since he fought Silva. This is probably his last run.
For those unfamiliar with Maia, his name is always thrown into the mix when debating who the best submission fighter in mma is. He has won both the Abu Dhabi Combat Championships and the Mundials, two of the most prestigious tournaments in submission wrestling. If it goes to the ground, Maia is a real threat to finish things quickly. Frank Mir, who is often called the best submission fighter at heavyweight, said, "I thought I was actually good at it until I started rolling with him." Again, that's coming from Frank Mir, who owns two of the most brutal submission victories in history. Care to see them?
And here's his bone-breaking, title-winning performance against Tim Sylvia. Click on the word "here's" in the previous sentence and you won't be disappointed.
So, yeah. That guy doesn't think he's good after rolling with Maia. Pretty scary, huh?
But Maia has started to rely more and more on his striking, which is solid, but nowhere in the same galaxy as his submission game. Against Silva, he couldn't get the fight to the ground. Against Rory, he may find himself in the same situation.
Rory McDonald has great takedown defense, as shown in his fight against Jake Ellenberger. And when he's standing, he's usually winning. The only guys to have gotten the better of him in striking have been guys with one-punch knockout power: Carlos Condit and Robbie Lawler. Maia hasn't shown that he has that.
I think Rory will stuff Maia's takedowns and pound his face all night with jabs and crosses.
Rory McDonald Unanimous Decision over Demian Maia
Also on the undercard is the return of "Super Mullet" Mike Pyle. Pyle is a true veteran who knows how to do it all. I expect him to get back on the winning track against T.J. Waldburger.
Mike Pyle Unanimous Decision over T.J. Waldburger
And my final take is on the main card's opening bout. It's a beauty. The Ultimate Fighter: Smashes winner, Robert Whittaker versus "Wonder Boy" Stephen Thompson.
This is an awesome matchup! Whittaker is a stud. He looked great on The Ultimate Fighter and was truly impressive in trouncing fellow Ultimate Fighter winner, Colton Smith. Whittaker is coming off a razor-thin split decision loss to yet another Ultimate Fighter winner, Court McGee. I expect him to go right after Thompson.
That could be a mistake. Wonder Boy had a stellar kickboxing career, having gone undefeated in 37 amateur and 20 professional kickboxing matches. He also fought for Chuck Norris's World Combat League, and was ranked #1. So he has Chuck's approval. And who doesn't want Chuck's approval? After all, Chuck Norris has a grizzly bear carpet in his living room. The grizzly isn't dead, it's just afraid to move.
Sorry. Couldn't help myself.
To make up for it, here is a tasty clip of Thompson kicking someone in the face:
I expect Whittaker to move forward and try to out strike the kickboxing phenom. He'll attempt this because he is all man. But this will be foolish. Thompson's striking is on another level, and we'll get to see it tonight as Whittaker plays Thompson's game and loses.
Stephen "Wonder Boy" Thompson Unanimous Decision over Robert Whittaker.
So there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Enjoy the fights, and we'll talk again soon.
Until then.
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