UFC 145: Keys to Victory for Rory MacDonald

Rory MacDonald will take on British striker Che Mills in what is the de facto co-main event of UFC 145.

Many fans have voiced their displeasure at one of the sport's most promising up-and-comers being pinned against an underwhelming opponent like Mills.

While there is a measure of validity in this collective frustration, too many people are forgetting that there is still a fight to be fought.

Likewise, too many people are forgetting that Che Mills is a human being with two arms and two legs, which can cause pain when they impact a fellow person's skull.

Admittedly, Mills' shot at success is limited. Severely. But at the risk of hyperbolizing his chances, I will simply remind everyone that anything can happen in MMA.

The following stratagems should be followed by Rory MacDonald during his confrontation with Mills in order to minimize the chance of suffering an upset at UFC 145. 

Don't Overlook the Striking of Che Mills

I'll start off by saying that I think Rory MacDonald has better striking than Che Mills.

One could debate this, as ranking the skill sets of two fighters who have never faced off before is a subjective matter, but I maintain the belief that Rory can outclass Che on the feet.

All that really means is that MacDonald's margin for error is greater than Mills'. He can still get clipped and lose this fight.

Really, that's the only way he loses this fight. 

Mills only has one weapon sharp enough to slay MacDonald and that is his striking. A key in this match for MacDonald is to not sleep on that fact.

If he respects the striking of Mills, he should be able to nullify it. If he doesn't, well, he might still win, but fighting is a dangerous game and the best policy to employ is the one that minimizes the opportunity for failure.

If MacDonald is wary of Mills' striking, he will better his already considerable chances of winning this contest.

Take the Path of Least Resistance

If MacDonald really wants to minimize his chances of letdown in this bout, he should take Mills' striking out of the equation as quickly as possible.

After seeing what he did to Nate Diaz—the triple German suplex—there should be little doubt in anyone's mind that Rory is a solid wrestler.

Some point to Diaz's diminutive size at welterweight to explain how Rory did this, but that fight was not the first example of fine wrestling the Canadian has provided for us.

While he can likely best Mills in the standup game, MacDonald can maximize his chances of victory by wrestling Mills to the ground and turning the fight into a grappling match.

Though he is extremely well-rounded, one could make a convincing argument that MacDonald's greatest asset is his grappling—especially his top game.

This is bad news for Mills, whose greatest weakness just happens to be grappling.

If Rory chooses to take Mills down, he will almost certainly end up with a submission win. Doing this would eliminate Mills' one legitimate chance of winning the fight—his striking—and all but secure the win for MacDonald.

Do Not Make a Showcase out of This Fight

In the same vein as the previous key, MacDonald needs to think "win" before he thinks "statement."

If he comes in with the intention of beating Mills at his own game for the sake of impressing people, he is only showing weakness. Even if he succeeds and bests Mills in a kickboxing match, he will have displayed considerable immaturity and youth.

If MacDonald enters the Octagon with winning the fight as the first and only thing on his mind, he will make quick work of his opponent and look impressive.

If he enters with the intention of looking good, he exposes a mental hole in his game and increases his chances of striking out at his own coming out party.

Fight to Your Potential and the Result Will Come

Ultimately, MacDonald is a much better mixed martial artist than Che Mills. I say this meaning no disrespect to the Englishman. Rory is simply on another level than he, and most other welterweight fighters on the planet.

Rory's superior abilities and athleticism should carry him to victory at UFC 145 and all that is really necessary for him to do is fight the fight.

If he goes in confident, but not cocky, and fights as if Mills is the most dangerous guy he has ever fought, he will breeze to victory.

If he thinks too hard about the hype and expectations following him into the cage, he will only make things more difficult than they have to be.