UFC 123 Fight Card: Phil Davis vs. Tim Boetsch Preview and Prediction

This Saturday, rising light heavyweight prospect Phil "Mr. Wonderful" Davis will make his UFC main card debut against Tim "The Barbarian" Boetsch. An NCAA Wrestling Champion in 2008, Davis has been labeled as one of the most promising young fighters in the UFC. While the odds-makers have Davis as an overwhelming favorite at UFC 123, he could face his toughest test against Boetsch.

Boetsch enters this fight with experience against other elite wrestlers, including Matt Hamill and Jason Brilz. Boetsch did lose those fights to Hamill and Brilz, but not without some success. As a late replacement, Boetsch was able to open a nasty cut on Hamill's lower lip. Also, Boetsch won a round on all three judges' scorecards against Brilz. 

The challenge for Boetsch in this fight, as it was in his fights with Hamill and Brilz, will be to defend takedowns. While it won't be easy against one of the best wrestlers in MMA, Boetsch could upset Davis if he able to keep this fight standing. Boetsch is not a someone that many fighters would want to stand with. His uppercuts and knees from the clinch can be devastating, and Davis is still developing as a striker.

For Davis, the game plan is simple. Davis will want to avoid getting into exchanges with Boetsch at all costs. Considering the success Brilz and Hamill had with takedowns against Boetsch, Davis, a even more accomplished wrestler, should not have much difficulty getting this fight to the ground.

With two submission victories in his seven professional fights, Davis has shown that his wrestling background has translated well to his jiu-jitsu training. If the fight goes to the ground, Davis certainly has the tools to become the first fighter ever to submit Boetsch.

While Boetsch has given wrestlers some tough fights in the past, it seems unlikely that he is destined for much success in this fight. Even if he is able to defend Davis' takedowns early, Boetsch has had the tendency to fatigue in the later rounds.

Barring the realization of the always present puncher's chance, this fight should be a tune-up for a step up in competition for Davis. Still early in his MMA career, Davis is looking to gain experience with every fight. A dangerous striker and tough fighter to finish, Boetsch should provide Davis the opportunity to mature as a fighter without much threat of a loss.

Ultimately, Boetsch will have no answers for the world-class wrestling he is about to face. Expect Davis to display excellent top control on his way to a fairly easy decision victory.