UFC 97: Redemption Preview

The UFC returns to Canada this Saturday night for the UFC 97: Redemption fight card. The UFC middleweight championship will be on the line as the champion Anderson Silva looks to extend his UFC winning streak to nine.

Main Card

Anderson Silva vs. Thales Leites

There really isn’t much that can be added about Anderson Silva and his accomplishments since joining the UFC in 2007.

Silva has been nothing short of spectacular and has earned the right to be in the discussion for the best “pound-for-pound” fighter in the world.

In my mind, Thales Leites does not even deserve this title shot. The combination of a weak middleweight division and a victory by default against a foul-happy Nathan Marquardt has made Leites the No. 1 challenger by default.

Leites' skills lie in his Jiu-jitsu game, but it will be hard for him, or anyone, to dominate Silva on the ground. Silva clearly holds a huge advantage on the feet, which leaves Leites not much of a chance anywhere.

Winner

Anderson Silva

Chuck Liddell vs. Mauricio Rua

While this matchup between Chuck Liddell and Mauricio Rua is still exciting, it’s a shame the fight couldn’t have happened two years ago when both fighters were at their best.

Both fighters have fallen on hard times recently, with Liddell losing three of his last four fights, and “Shogun” looking very unimpressive since joining the UFC in 2007.

It’s hard for me to imagine Rua will ever regain the form and dominance he possessed during his run in PRIDE from 2005-2006.

Some injuries are just too hard to overcome, and it appears the multiple injuries to Rua’s knees, combined with a lack of conditioning, have cost the fighter dearly.

“Shogun” clearly still has the potential to be a dangerous striker and an excellent grappler. With the fight in January against Mark Coleman under his belt, we can only hope Rua has re-found his groove and will come into this fight in excellent shape.

Years of dominance in the UFC’s light heavyweight division have finally taken their toll on the former champion, and Liddell is now desperately looking for a way to climb back to the top.

Losses against Quinton Jackson and Rashad Evans are nothing to scoff at, as both have been UFC champions in the past year. The issue with Liddell has been more the way he has lost his recent fights, not who he has lost to.

The perception that Liddell’s game has not evolved along with the sport of MMA is justified, and Liddell seems to have acknowledged that himself, finally traveling outside of “The Pit” for the first time to train for this fight.

Liddell’s strength in striking has always been as a counter-puncher, and that will prove useful in this fight against Shogun. Rua will be looking to push the pace and show he is still the same fighter who dominated Pride, and that should play right into Liddell’s hands.

Look for Liddell to have a bit better defense in this fight. He'll look to pick his spots for counter-attack against Rua and win this fight via KO.

Winner

Chuck Liddell

Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Brian Stann

Brian Stann gained some popularity in the WEC due to his military backstory and his quick rise to light heavyweight champion.

However, Stann realistically doesn’t have the tools needed to contend in the UFC’s 205 lb. division and is most likely looking at a very short stay with the promotion.

Krzysztof Soszynski has the experience and skill advantage, thus he should be able to control the fight both on the ground and on the feet. I expect Soszynski to stand and trade with Stann.

If Stann starts finding his range on the feet, look for Soszynski to take the fight to the ground and end the match with a submission.

Winner

Krzysztof Soszynski

Cheick Kongo vs. Antoni Hardonk

If there ever was a matchup that almost guaranteed no chance of the fight hitting the ground, this matchup is probably it.

Antoni Hardonk has no ground game whatsoever, and Cheick Kongo’s ground game is only slightly better.

Hardonk’s specialty is his K-1 style striking and kicking game. If Hardonk is able to connect early and often with some solid leg kicks, he could keep Kongo out of rhythm and cause some trouble for Cheick.

Realistically, I think Kongo is the better and more skilled fighter overall. He should be able to catch Hardonk on the feet late in the first or early in the second round.

Winner

Cheick Kongo

Steve Cantwell vs. Luiz Cane

Steve Cantwell will be making his second UFC appearance after the brutal armbar victory he had against Razak Al-Hassan last December.

Unfortunately for the former WEC light heavyweight champion, Cantwell isn’t likely to end the night with a highlight-reel victory again.

Luiz Cane's size and striking power inside will be too much for Cantwell to handle. Cantwell has some power on his feet and could surprise Cane should Luiz decide to work from the outside.

Cane is best when he is coming forward and working in close, and that is where I see him overpowering Cantwell throughout the whole fight.

Winner

Luiz Cane

Undercard

Eliot Marshall vs. Vinicius Magalhaes

Denis Kang vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokum

Jason MacDonald vs. Nate Quarry

David Loiseau vs. Ed Herman

Mark Bocek vs. David Bielkheden

Ryo Chonan vs. TJ Grant

Sam Stout vs. Matt Wiman

Winners in bold