Featherweight bout: Cub Swanson vs. Ricardo Lamas
Cub Swanson is entering this bout the winner of 4 of his last six fights. The loses came to Jose Aldo, and Chad Mendes, arguably the two best fighters in the division. He is a quick striker with great muay thai. He also has a chin tougher than a Cadillac.
Coming off a recent victory over Matt Grice at UFC Live 4 Kongo v Barry. Ricardo Lamas has proven, he is comfortable wherever the fight may go. He posses good striking, and even better wrestling and jujitsu.
Prediction: Swanson rd 1 Guillotine Choke
Lightweight bout: Clay Guida vs. Ben Henderson
Clay Guida, is always fun to watch. His vicious ground and pound style, and his forever stalking forward advances , seem almost ‘Rocky-esque’. The fan favorite, is also now a title contender. He will look to smother Henderson, and pound him on the ground.
Ben Henderson may be one of the most athletic fighters in any division. Since joining the UFC, Henderson has bounced back from his WEC title loss to Anthony Pettis, by beating UFC veterans Mark Bocek, and Jim Miller. Henderson has great wrestling, jujitsu, muay thai, and boxing.
Prediction: Ben Henderson via unanimous decision.
Heavyweight Championship bout:
Cain Velasquez vs. Junior Dos Santos (FIRST FIGHT ON FOX)
It is difficult to evaluate a fighters seasoning after only nine pro fights. However with wins over Ben Rothwell, Cheick Kongo, Brock Lesnar, and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, his pedigree has been justified. Velasquez is a former state champion wrestler, and also has dynamite in both of his hands! Velasquez is also coming off a long layoff due to a torn rotator cuff, an injury he suffered during his win over Lesnar.
Junior Dos Santos has been climbing the ranks, building a pile of crushed heavyweight contenders beneath his feet. dos Santos might have the best hands in the Mixed Martial Arts world. After knocking out Fabricio Werdum in his UFC debut, he has left a path of destruction that includes Mirko Cro Cop, Roy Nelson, Shane Carwin, and Gabriel Gonzaga.
Analysis: Both fighters can punch, but dos Santos will have the advantage in striking, however if Velasquez can set up a take-down with strikes, his wrestling should neutralize dos Santos’s jujitsu. If the fight stays up, dos Santos will outbox the champion.
Prediction: Junior dos Santos via unanimous decision
THE CLINCH REPORT 