MMA, UFC, Demetrious Johnson , Anthony Pettis, Glover Teixeira, UFC on FOX 6, FOX, Rampage Jackson, Donald Cerrone, John Dodson
Mixed martial arts fans will definitely be in for a treat on Saturday, as the UFC will try and top itself again with another ‘best fight card to ever air on free television’ event. Here is a quick breakdown of the three main fights with predictions and analysis.
Demetrious Johnson and John Dodson square off for the UFC flyweight title at UFC on FOX 6
Demetrious Johnson (-221) vs. John Dodson (+171)
The women’s bantamweight division has seen a lot of press lately because of the charismatic and equally brutal Ronda Rousey, but the other ‘new’ division in the UFC is the one that will probably make the most waves. The flyweight championship matchup between Demetrious Johnson and John Dodson may be one of the best title fights of the year. The lightening quick and powerful 125ers will set out to make their mark on the public this Saturday in hopes of setting up their weight class as one of the marquee divisions in the UFC.
Johnson is a fast as a blur fighter, who for years fought outside of his weight class in order to even get a matchup. Mighty Mouse, as he is known to UFC fans, fought a tough five round battle with bantamweight champ, and pound-for-pound mainstay, Dominick Cruz back in 2011, so finally being able to take matchups against fighters his own size will be a welcomed break for Johnson. This matchup should be exciting and high paced, but expect Johnson to impose his skill set on Dodson.
Prediction: Dodson has the skills to win this fight, but the champ is too good and too technical to let it happen. Expect a unanimous decision victory for ‘Mighty Mouse’.
Rampage Jackson will face Glover Teixeira in what may be his last fight with the UFC
Glover Teixeira (-350) vs. Quinton Jackson (+250)
Glover Teixeira is the new up-and-coming star in the light heavyweight division and is expected to, at least, challenge Jon Jones some time in the near future. The only hurdle standing in his way is ‘Rampage’ Jackson. The Brazilian, who is a protégé of light heavyweight legend Chuck Liddell, has brutally powerful striking and will look to trade blows with Jackson in hopes a securing an exciting victory over the UFC and Pride legend. A knockout over ‘Rampage’ would be a huge feather in Teixeira's cap and instantly propel him into the light heavyweight title picture.
Jackson is said to be leaving the organization after his fight with Teixeira, and will be looking for one last victory in the octagon before he rides off into the sunset of making Hollywood movies, or fighting for smaller organizations. While ‘Rampage’ is a fading fighter his striking is still elite, and the former champ will have a real shot at winning this fight if Teixeira plans on trading blows in the middle of the octagon.
Prediction: Teixeira is a huge favorite, but if he does not take Rampage to the ground, this is a fight he can lose. Expect Jackson to pull off an astonishing second round knockout.
Pettis versus Cerrone may be the most exciting fight the lightweight division has to offer
Anthony Pettis (-133) vs. Donald Cerrone (+103)
It’s almost unfathomable to think that a matchup between Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone could get third billing on a fight card, but, it is simply a testament to how great the UFC’s latest event on FOX truly is. This matchup has ‘fight of the night’, ‘month’, and ‘year’ written all over it. And that’s not even mentioning the ‘submission’ and ‘knockout’ of the night potential. If UFC fans or even experts were to make a list of the most exciting fighters in the organization, both Cerrone and Pettis could easily be number one and two in some other.
The fight itself is fairly evenly matched, and has the potential to showcase every skill set mixed martial arts has to offer. Both fighters have excellent stand-up, great jiu-jitsu, and well rounded wrestling. Pettis is a small favorite, and rightly so, since he was the last man to beat lightweight kin-pin Benson Henderson. Neither fighter truly has much of an advantage in any area, so for Pettis to win this fight he simply needs to be sharper and quicker than Cerrone.
For Cerrone, he needs to avoid any power shots from his opponent and make this matchup an ugly and gritty fight. Distance will be the key. Pettis wants to fight at enough distance to throw his powerful leg kicks and punches, Cerrone, on the other hand, wants to close the distance and fight up close and personal.
Prediction: It probably doesn’t even matter. This fight will be like watching an artist paint a masterpiece, but for the sake of argument, here it goes. Expect Cerrone to overwhelm Pettis in an all out war of a fight and earn a late fight submission.
