UFC 155: Junior Dos Santos Puts his Heavyweight Title on the Line Against Cain Velasquez

The UFC will showcase two of the best heavyweights in the world on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Junior Dos Santos will put his belt on the line against former champion Cain Velasquez during the main-event of UFC 155. The fight, which will have no shortage of intrigue, will see Velasquez try to regain the title he lost to Dos Santos over a year ago, during the UFC’s first televised event on Fox. The rest of the card will feature a couple of hard-hitting middleweight fights, and a dynamic matchup between two of the lightweight division’s most exciting fighters. Here is a look at the main-event and a couple fights from the undercard, with predictions and analysis.




 
Junior Dos Santos (-198) vs. Cain Velasquez (+163):
 
The hard-hitting heavyweight champion, Junior Dos Santos is set to make his second title defense against the man he beat for the belt a little over a year ago—Cain Velasquez. Dos Santos is not only the best boxer in the heavyweight division, but, perhaps, in the entire sport as well. The champ has knockout power in both hands, great technique and simply outclasses all of his opponents on the feet. If Velasquez tries to stand and exchange blows with the champ, then, it’s going to be a quick main-event.
 
This matchup—much like the first meeting between the two—will hinge on Velasquez’ ability to take the fight to the ground. Dos Santos has excellent take down defense and has spent a grand total of 13 seconds on his back in his entire UFC career. If Cain cannot take this fight to the ground he is going to have a world of trouble dealing with the champ’s standup. Many fans, and experts alike, consider the challenger to be the better all around fighter, but in MMA the ability to dictate where the fight takes place can mask any weak areas in a fighters game. Junior Dos Santos is the superior boxer, but if Cain cannot take the fight to the ground then his wrestling and ground-and-pound skills never come into play.

Prediction: Dos Santos via 3rd round K.O.




Jim Miller (-221) vs. Joe Lauzon (+171):
 
Jim Miller versus Joe Lauzon is almost guaranteed to be a barn-burner of a matchup. The fight will feature two of the lightweight division’s most exciting fighters, and has ‘Fight of the Night’ potential written all over it. Miller and Lauzon have won 15 post-fight bonuses between them, and are always in exciting and dynamic fights.
 
Jim Miller is a powerful wrestler that usually overwhelms his opponents with relentless top control and a fantastic submission game. Miller is 8-2 over his last 10 fights and only has losses to lightweight champion Benson Henderson and lightweight contender Nate Diaz. Miller is a solid favorite entering the fight, and will try to control Joe Lauzon with his wrestling and top game. If Miller can dictate the pace of the fight and not get into a crazy back and forth with Lauzon, then he should be able to score a decision victory or a late round stoppage via ground-and-pound.
 
Joe Lauzon is a great fighter, but he lacks the size and power to compete with Miller. But, with that being said, speed will be the key for a Lauzon victory. If he can keep Miller off base with a fast and frantic fight, either on the ground or standing, then his chances to pull off a victory go up.
 
Prediction: Miller via unanimous decision.
 


Yushin Okami (-121) vs. Alan Belcher (-109):
 
Yushin Okami versus Alan Belcher is another matchup that has the potential to be an exciting back-and-forth fight. Okami is a huge middleweight and should have the size and strength advantage, but Belcher is the type of fighter that goes for broke, and may not let Okami uses those strengths. Belcher is excellent on the ground, and is currently riding a five fight win streak. This is a fight the Belcher should win.
 
Prediction: Belcher via third round K.O.