UFC 138 Predictions: Chris Leben vs. Mark Munoz

UFC 138 headliners Chris Leben and Mark Munoz will clash today across the pond in England. Both men have made short work of the middleweight division’s intermediate tier of fighters while falling short against it’s elite. 

The winner of this bout likely returns to the shark tank of the division’s leaders whilst the loser will be on door duty testing newcomers who’d like to come in.

The Mark “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Munoz has bulldozed through his middleweight challenges, going 6-1 in the division, losing a razor thin split decision to recent title contender Yushin Okami.  

Munoz captured the NCAA Division 1 wresting championship for the 197-pound weight class back in 2001 while attending Oklahoma State University.  His wrestling pedigree ensures a few things: His  take downs are a choice weapon; his work ethic is second to none, there is no training like wrestling; his top game will be top notch.

Munoz has pop in his punches and is often of a mind to throw, 45 percent of his victories have come via knockout of TKO.  

Chris “The Crippler” Leben, a fan favorite, is likely to oblige Munoz should he choose to stand and trade.  Leben has big power in his hands but has used that as a crutch, neglecting other tools at his disposal.  

Like Munoz, Leben is on the best run of his career, winning four of his last five including three knockouts, two submissions and one unanimous decision.  His lone loss comes at the hands of Brian Stann who cracked The Crippler’s previously granite chin with a knee, crumbling him to the canvass.  

Leben bounced back, swatting Wanderlei Silva in less than thirty seconds.  Leben has demonstrated some ground skills but primarily chooses to trust the strength of his chin and trade punches with his opponents, counting on being able to hurt them more than they hurt him.  This usually leads to Leben lumbering around the ring during the second half of the fight living on an overhand right and a prayer.  

Neither man has faced a fourth-round before, and I think this fight may well go there.  Be it the third or the fifth, when Leben goes charging in against Munoz he is going to end up on his back feasting at the Five-Ounce Buffet.