UFC 110 Breakdown: Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

UFC 110 is a significant night for the global expansion of the worlds largest MMA organization. The Ultimate Fighting Championship has promoted fight cards in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, and other countries outside of North America, but for the first time ever they will make the trip to the land down under.

Sydney, Australia will lay home to UFC 110 and will feature an explosive heavyweight battle in the night's headliner.

Former PRIDE and UFC heavyweight champion, Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira will meet undefeated contender and heavyweight terminator, Cain Velasquez.

Who has the advantage heading into this heavyweight collision? Let’s take a look.


Striking

His crushing defeat at the hands of Frank Mir aside, Nogueira is an excellent boxer. A healthy “Minotauro” is going to present problems for a lot of heavyweights on the feet, including Velasquez. Nogueira has excellent footwork and truly excels at putting together swift-striking combinations.

While not known for his knockout power, Nogueira can pick Velasquez apart with his superior technique. He may have looked old and slow in his loss to Mir but any fighter suffering from a severe staph infection would have looked the same that night.

Velasquez has been working diligently on his boxing and he packs a lot more power in his punches than Nogueira does. However, the AKA product’s stiff footwork and sloppy standup will work in “Minotauro’s” favor.

Nogueira has the advantage, 10-8

Wrestling

The reason most MMA fans are high on Velasquez is because of his overwhelming wrestling base. An All-American wrestler out of Arizona State, Velasquez has dominated in the Octagon with relentless takedowns and top control.

Nogueira has never shown strong takedown defense so if Velasquez wants to take this fight to the ground he will do so easily. The real question, however, is whether or not Velasquez can neutralize Nogueira on the ground.

Velasquez has the advantage, 10-6

Jiu-Jitsu

Anyone who pays attention to the sport understands the legitimacy of Nogueira’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu credentials. He may be easy to take down but once you get him there he will more often than not find a way to submit you.

He is especially dangerous off his back, which is where he will end up against Velasquez.

Hype aside, Velasquez is still green in this sport. He hasn't displayed much Jiu-Jitsu technique in the Octagon and we have yet to see him face a black belt of Nogueira's caliber.

Nogueira has the advantage, 10-6

Conditioning

Judging from their recent performances, both fighters seem to have a strong gas tank. Nogueira was in great shape in his last fight against Randy Couture and Velasquez didn’t break much of a sweat with his domination over Ben Rothwell.

It’s difficult to determine who to give the cardio edge too, but since Velasquez is the younger, more explosive athlete of the two he should win the conditioning battle, although it’s highly unlikely either fighter will gas out.

Velasquez has the advantage, 10-9

The Result

The big edge that Velasquez will have in this bout is his ability to dictate where the fight takes place. Whether he wants to make it a standup war or a ground battle, it is completely up to him as his wrestling base will ensure complete control in that aspect.

Look for Velasquez to test the waters on the feet and when things aren’t going his way the ASU All-American will revert back to his wrestling and put Nogueira on his back.

This will lead to Velasquez’ eventual demise. Sooner or later Nogueira will latch on to a submission and leave Australia with one of Velasquez’ limbs in a doggy bag.

Nogueira by third round submission (Guillotine Choke)