Just to be clear, The UFC 84: Ill Will fight card is one of the best in recent memory, and the best since UFC 79: Nemesis back in December!
BJ "The Prodigy" Penn vs Sean "The Muscle Shark" Sherk, and Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva vs Keith "The Dean of Mean" Jardine are the other huge fights on this card, but let's take a close look at the Lyoto "The Dragon Machida" vs Tito "The Huntington Beach bad Boy" Ortiz match!
Ortiz is still one of the biggest names in the business, and he still has a bit to offer in the ring. He is a well-conditioned fighter, a strong wrestler, and still poseses good ground and pound.
Machida is one of the fastest rising stars in all of MMA, and his rise should be taken very seriously. He is a world-class technician of a fighter. He is one of, if not the, best in the business at allowing the fight to come to him. He often sizes up his opponents, and then makes them a victim of his seemingly flawless counterattacks.
Tito's advantages:
Pure strength
Wrestling
Ground and Pound
Machidas' advantages:
Striking (punching and kicking)
Jiu-Jitsu
All-around game
Look for Machida to win this fight in the mid-to-late second round by TKO!
Now for a less anticipated fight on the UFC 86 fight card: Joe "Daddy" Stevenson vs Gleison Tibau.
Stevenson is coming off of a completely one-sided loss at UFC 80 against current champ, BJ Penn, while Tibau is coming off of a unanimous decision loss at UFC 81 to the more explosive Tyson Griffin.
Stevensons' strength is getting people to the ground and eventually working them into a submission. Tibau is also a very strong Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. I expect Tibau to utilize his height and reach advantages in order to land hits, as well as defend against Stevensons' takedown attempts.
Look for Tibau to win a three-round unanimous decision.
4 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Ryan Droege about 1 year ago
I'm a casual fan who doesn't follow as closely as I would like, but when did Joe Stevenson drop the "Big" from his nickname?
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Jon Grilz about 1 year ago
Not too excited for UFC 85? Regardless, I think both picks are right on the money for this one.
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Josh Crawford about 1 year ago
hey guys check out my UFC 84 Preview @ ultimatefighting.suite101.com/article.cfm/ufc_84
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Tim Mann about 1 year ago
Stevenson's nickname was never "Big Daddy" that I can recall. That's Gary Goodridge.
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