UFC 181 Cannot Get Here Soon Enough: Very Early Preview and Predictions
2014 has been a trying year as an MMA fan. We have been given a plethora of fight cards, but many have come up short on excitement. Those that have delivered have not been big on drawing power.
The current shortlists for Fight of the Year and Fighter of the Year are not as deep and compelling as year's past, but one name that is on both is Robbie Lawler—the challenger in the UFC 181 main event. And his previous fight against Johny Hendricks for the UFC welterweight gold is on that Fight of the Year shortlist.
In the co-main event, The Ultimate Fighter season 20 coaches Anthony Pettis and Gilbert Melendez get in the cage to battle for Pettis' lightweight belt. Pettis has been out of action for some time thanks to injuries and filming the reality show, but now fans get to see him back in action.
And the fun doesn't stop there. The UFC put a violence-ensured heavyweight scrap and the debut of Holly Holm on the main card. And no one should gloss over potential Fight of the Night: Tony Ferguson vs. Abel Trujillo.
Yet, we have not touched the group of prospects on the undercard that is headlined by Urijah Faber. UFC 181 is top to bottom one of the best offerings of the year by the UFC.
It sets everyone up nicely heading into 2015, where we should see the return of numerous top names and fantastic fights. The troubling 2014 is almost over, and to close it out we will get to see a phenomenal event.
Let's take an early peek at the event and hope nothing bad happens between now and December 6.
Preliminary Bouts
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The undercard is not as competitive or exciting as the main card, but the UFC has given us a lot of matchups that should provide exciting performances. Expect some of the young prospects to shine and for Faber to cap it off with an exclamation point.
Urijah Faber vs. Francisco Rivera
A mismatch. Faber has shown what he does in these types of fights. Expect another easy finish for The California Kid. He'll be seeking another meeting with Dominick Cruz soon after the fight.
Eddie Gordon vs. Josh Samman
Gordon looked great coming out of The Ultimate Fighter. Has Samman improved enough to take the fight? Doubtful. Gordon should be able to show off more of his growth as a fighter in impressive fashion.
Corey Anderson vs. Gian Villante
I don't want to sound too harsh in calling Gian Villante a punching bag, but that's what he is in this fight. Anderson will probably rely on his wrestling in coasting to a decision. It will be lopsided—30-27 across the board.
Todd Duffee vs. Anthony Hamilton
How many of you are asking yourself "who is Anthony Hamilton anyway?" How many would be surprised to learn he has already had two fights in the UFC? That pretty much says it all about this fight. Duffee wins with a knockout.
Sergio Pettis vs. Matt Hobar
Hobar is a great opponent for Pettis. The youngster had a setback against Alex Caceres but rebounded against Yaotzin Meza. Hobar will push Pettis and give us an answer as to if he is a true prospect or if we overvalued him based on his last name. I think he shows up and performs to where critics projected him to be. Pettis shines hours before his brother steps inside the cage. TKO win.
Alex White vs. Clay Collard
White lost to Lucas Martins by a knockout in his last outing, but this kid has big upside. The matchup against Collard is a great way to get him back in the win column and increase his confidence. This is a great learning bout that will be more about White's development than anything else. I'll take him by a TKO finish.
Tony Ferguson vs. Abel Trujillo
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When you begin to talk about lightweights Trujillo and Ferguson's names don't immediately jump out. However, if you ask which lightweights bring bad intentions into the cage, they may start to enter the conversation.
The opening bout of the pay-per-view will be violent.
Ferguson and Trujillo will get after it, put the crowd on their feet and end up with one of the two being laid out on the canvas.
That is why you have to lean towards Trujillo. The aggressive Blackzilian holds more power in his hands. When he connects flush, that will be the end of Ferguson in this fight.
But it isn't a decisive lean toward Trujillo. You cannot discount the gaps Trujillo leaves because of his aggressiveness. Keep an eye on a potential counter KO from Ferguson.
Prediction: Trujillo by TKO
Holly Holm vs. Raquel Pennington
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One of the top women's bantamweight prospects outside of the UFC was Holm, but then she finally came to terms with the premier MMA organization. After an extended stint on the regional circuit, she takes a step up in competition.
Pennington is without question a step up for Holm, but it is a favorable stylistic matchup for the boxer.
Pennington is a brawler, but she can wrestle. She must test Holm's takedown defense to have a shot at the win. Holm will not be too far out from a fight with Ronda Rousey with an impressive win. The key word in that sentence is impressive.
And she will look the part of a challenger. Holm's superior athletic ability will make up for her technical deficiencies against Pennington. And on the feet, she will show her elite level in hurting Pennington. This will ultimately be a showcase fight and a great way to introduce a potential star.
Prediction: Holm by TKO
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Travis Browne vs. Brendan Schaub
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Browne had a setback against Fabricio Werdum earlier this year, but this is a matchup that is heavily in his favor.
Schaub looked pretty good in his two-fight winning streak, but then he laid an egg against Andrei Arlovski. The UFC did him no favors by putting him against Browne. It is a terrible matchup for the heavyweight.
Browne is a heavy, heavy hitter. Schaub has a questionable chin. If the fight stays on its feet then it is only a matter of time before Browne gives fans the violence they crave in a heavyweight tilt.
Schaub will want to get this fight to the ground. The problem is that he is not a great wrestler, and Browne has pretty good takedown defense. All signs point to Browne shutting off Schaub's lights early. This should be a nice confidence boost for the potential contender.
Prediction: Browne by KO
Anthony Pettis vs. Gilbert Melendez
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It has been a long time since we have seen Pettis in action, but come UFC 181, he steps back inside the cage for his toughest task to date.
Pettis is a dynamic striker and incredible athlete, but what is most impressive about the champion is his development over the past two years. His submissions and defensive wrestling have improved and have been on display inside the Octagon.
Melendez will challenge him everywhere. He is a tough lightweight with an incredible pace. Melendez can put Pettis out of his element.
If the fight ends, it will almost certainly be due to Pettis' striking. Melendez isn't invincible on the feet, and as tough as he is, Pettis unleashes hell in his attacks. The technique Pettis uses breeds power. The key for Melendez will be to use his pace to tire Pettis.
I think he can do that. And I think he will do that.
This fight has the potential to be a Fight of the Year contender. This is the kind of championship matchup we dream about. We just need the calendar to turn quicker.
Prediction: Melendez by decision
Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler
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Hendricks and Lawler met for the vacant UFC welterweight belt earlier this year and gave us a potential Fight of the Year. After the fight, injuries sidelined Hendricks, while Lawler rebounded with wins over Jake Ellenberger and Matt Brown.
The first meeting was close, but Hendricks got the nod. Now as the champion, and not an equal challenger for an empty seat atop the division, he has more pressure to perform.
Lawler has looked fantastic since returning to welterweight, and—save for a few scorecards—he could be holding gold right now. His veteran status makes him so relaxed in the cage. The problem with this matchup may be how much the first meeting allowed Hendricks to gauge his offense.
Hendricks is a fantastic wrestler. After tasting the power from Lawler in the first fight, he may not be so willing to stand and exchange. I think Hendricks will have high output in this fight but not until the championship rounds. He will wear down Lawler early with a grinding style.
After sapping some of the stamina from Lawler, he will be more than willing to exchange. It will be another close fight, but Hendricks keeps the strap.
Prediction: Hendricks by decision
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