The Juggernaut MMA News Report 01.19.12: UFC on FX Preview
Posted by Jonathan Solomon on 01.19.2012
Jim Miller and Melvin Guillard look for victory tomorrow with a two-fight losing streak staring them in the face. Who has the edge? 411's Jonathan Solomon previews the UFC on FX card! Plus check out the latest news including King Mo's failed drug test, Sonnen vs. Bisping, a ridiculous claim by Dana White and more!
UFC on FX: MILLER VS. GUILLARD PREVIEW
Jim Miller vs. Melvin Guillard
Our main event is a lightweight contest of redemption for both men as they are each coming off massive losses. Miller saw his 7-fight winning streak crash last summer when he lost a decision to Ben Henderson. Guillard had his 5-fight winning streak snap in October when Joe Lauzon choked him out in under a minute.
Melvin Guillard saw the greatest success of his career while training with Greg Jackson and his New Mexico camp. We have learned that Guillard moved his camp to Imperial Athletics in Florida (Rashad Evans, JZ Cavalcante, Jorge Santiago, others) although he remains on good terms with his former coaches and training partners. Coming off such a disappointing loss, Guillard has shaken things up and perhaps it will be for the better. He's been criticized in the past for not being always focused on the task at hand which leads to slip ups.
Jim Miller is a tough hombre who ran into the storm that is Ben Henderson and his mix of effective striking, powerful wrestling and a never-say-die will. For this match-up, Miller is potentially giving up a lot in terms of speed and power. However, you have to strike to set up takedowns unless you plan on pulling a James Thompson bullrush.
Guillard likes to bully opponents with his power and taking advantage of openings for his striking. Miller can come forward, keep his chin protected, perhaps he can find success looking for a takedown. Joe Lauzon was able to get the fight to the ground and Miller's wrestling is plain better. The problem is how he'll set up those shots and whether he can complete them. If not, Guillard will gain a lot of confidence and there's no telling how quickly he can end it. Otherwise, if Miller can get to Guillard and not take a lot of damage doing so, maybe he will fold again.
Duane Ludwig vs. Josh Neer
A pair of MMA veterans square off in the co-main event when (21-11) Duane "Bang" Ludwig (the man the UFC recognizes as having their fastest knockout) and (32-10-1) Josh Neer step inside the octagon tomorrow night. Since moving back up to welterweight, Ludwig is 2-0 with decision wins over Nick Osipczak and Amir Sadollah. Meanwhile, Neer returned to the promotion in October with a win by doctor stoppage over Keith Wisniewski. He went 6-1 between UFC stints, losing only to former Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez.
There's no doubting Ludwig's ability to throw down. If he could choose, he would without a doubt want to box for how ever long it takes him to score the knockout. The issue with him is, his takedown defense and abilities on the ground are not a strength. While Josh Neer is no Rousimar Palhares, he does possess the ability to take the fight to the ground. Simply put, on paper, this is not a good match-up for Ludwig. Neer would not be too smart if he decides to forego grappling, choosing to trade bombs instead.
Mike Easton vs. Jared Papazian
Everyone knows the lighter weight classes bring a ton of action to their fights and this should be no different. Bantamweights (11-1) Mike Easton and (14-6) Jared Papazian are scheduled to fight next. Easton, a Lloyd Irvin Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, burst into the UFC with a second round knockout of Byron Bloodworth in October. One of the major American bantamweight prospects, he can stand and bang or just as easily take the fight to the mat and maintain control.
Jared Papazian is taking this fight on about three weeks notice, filling in for Ken Stone. The King of the Cage champion went 3-1 in 2011 and jumped at the opportunity to fight for the UFC as an injury replacement. He's part Armenian and trains with Manny Gamburyan and Ronda Rousey but his strength is his striking. Going the distance should not be a problem for him as his last five fights have gone to decisions (including three five-round title fights). However, against Easton, look for him to attempt to keep it standing at all costs.
Pat Barry vs. Christian Morecraft
Opening up the FX broadcast is a heavyweight clash between (6-4) Pat Barry and (7-2) Christian Morecraft. Barry's 2011 left a lot to be desired as he lost his last two fights to Cheick Kongo and Stefan Struve. You have to go back to nearly exactly one year ago when he took Joey Beltran to a decision and won. Morecraft fought in March and choked out Sean McCorkle. Sandwiched between that fight are knockout losses to Stefan Struve (summer 2010) and Matt Mitrione (summer 2011).
Physically, you know they match up because it's the case with practically every Pat Barry fight. Barry gives up an 8-inch height advantage and a 7-inch reach advantage. It's just a fact of life for Barry who happens to be one of the smaller heavyweights in the UFC.
Barry's game is built around his kickboxing skills, having shown little when it comes to grappling. He'll be the quicker, more agile fighter and should be able to keep the fight in his ballpark with leg kicks. Force Morecraft to think about eating damage to his base and either he'll be thrown off his game plan or he would be motivated to get it to the ground. Morecraft's best bet to win is to get the fight to the ground and apply a submission hold. In his career, he has four wins by submission and has only been out of the first round three times (all during his UFC career).
If "HD" Barry can keep the fight standing, perhaps showing off improved takedown defense (he did train with Brock Lesnar and company in Minnesota for several weeks last year), he will find a way to start a new winning streak.
JUGGERNAUT NEWS BRIEFS
- Mark Munoz is injured and has withdrawn from the UFC on Fox show in nine days. Instead, Chael Sonnen will fight Michael Bisping in the co-main event. The winner will get a title shot against Anderson Silva, most likely in Brazil.
- Chris Weidman will fight Demian Maia on Fox and has unexpectedly opened up as the betting favorite.
- The UFC has cancelled a previously planned show (UFC 145) on March 24 in Montreal. The public reason given was scheduling problems which prevented them from being able to book a great card. The UFC will reportedly attempt their return to Montreal later this year. The fights that had been planned for the card may be moved to the April 21 UFC 146 in Atlanta.
- The UFC announced this week that beginning the first of this year, all incoming fighters whether it be the UFC or Strikeforce, will be required to submit to a drug test. Pending the outcome of their sample, they then would be free to sign with either promotion.
UFC President Dana White said "Our athletes are already held to the highest testing standards in all sports by athletic commissions." That's a crock as the most stringent drug testing would have to be random and done immediately. This is not the case in MMA (as it is with Olympic testing).
- King Mo Muhammed Lawal failed a drug test for a banned anabolic steroid following his January 7 win over Lorenz Larkin. The former Strikeforce champion could be suspended for up to a year in addition to facing fines by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. When Sherdog contacted his manager, Mike Kogan, the defense was Lawal "doesn't even know what" the substance is.
- Cris Cyborg is planning to appeal her one-year suspension by the California State Athletic Commission for taking a banned substance.
- Georges St. Pierre said this week he is hoping for a November return. Asked if he's pulling for a particular fighter to win at UFC 143 between Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit, he said Diaz.
- The UFC confirmed they will be returning to Brazil in June for a stadium show in Sao Paulo. It's expected to feature the TUF Brazil coaches fight between Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort. Plus, the main event is hopefully going to see Anderson Silva defend his championship against either Sonnen or Bisping.
- A report out of Poland says Bellator middleweight champion Hector Lombard will fight Mamed Khalidov on a KSW show on May 19. Khalidov (24-4-2) is on a four-fight winning streak and is most famous for upsetting then-Sengoku champion Jorge Santiago in a non-title bout by TKO in 2009.
JUGGERNAUT VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Karyn Bryant spoke to Quinton Jackson this week following the news of King Mo's failed drug test. Mo and Rampage have traded verbal barbs over the years with Mo wanting to fight him.
