MMA

UFC 191: The GarberSports Breakdown

Photo credit to CagePotato
UFC 191: The GarberSports Breakdown

UFC 191 will take place on September 5, 2015 and here is the GarberSports Breakdown of the card’s most high-profile fights, starting with the main event.

Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson II:

Johnson won a close fight the first time around, yet Vegas odds see him as a heavy favorite in this highly anticipated rematch. Both men rely on effective striking as their primary game-plan, albeit with very different approaches. Dodson does most of his damage with his powerful left hand with which he has knocked out several opponents, but is seen as a fighter who doesn’t “fly” around the cage for someone in a flyweight division.  Johnson, on the other hand, uses a variety of strikes and prioritizes scoring points over knockouts, although he can pack a punch as well (just ask Joseph Benavidez, Johnson’s last knockout victim).

Photo credit to CagePotato

Johnson has a more complete grappling game, particularly in terms of submissions. Dodson, however, is hard to take down and even harder to keep there.  Johnson has been able to take down several of his previous opponents almost at will, giving him a safety net whenever he feels uncomfortable striking or when wants to wear his opponent down. That task will not be as easy against Dodson.

The two fighters have the perfect styles to frustrate one another and are most certainly each other’s worst possible opponents in the flyweight division. The key will be whether Dodson can land enough power shots to win three out of five rounds or simply knock out Johnson. It should be another close matchup with one fighter taking over in the championship rounds. I think Johnson’s resilience and cardio gets him another close decision win, but Dodson is very much a live dog in this fight.

Andrei Arlovski vs. Frank Mir:

Arlovski comes in as a slight favorite in a fight that should be action-packed, as both fighters are much better offensively than defensively.  Mir’s boxing has looked sharper since he started working with Angelo Reyes, but Arlovski is a good striker himself and should have the speed and power advantage.  Mir is the much more accomplished grappler and is a threat to submit anybody on the mat. He’s not known for his take down ability but Arlovski throws himself forward with his right hand, something Mir may be able to exploit with a well-timed double leg take down. This bout could go either way, but I expect Mir to come in with a solid strategy and get a submission win.

Anthony Johnson vs. Jimi Manuwa:

Johnson is a heavy favorite in this matchup of dangerous strikers. Each fighter has 13 knockouts, and as a result of that this fight may come down to whoever lands the first solid shot. Johnson has fought against better opposition thus far, especially since moving up to the light heavyweight division and I think he’ll get the knockout here.


Click to add a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

twelve − 2 =

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

MMA
@adewoleofficial

Football correspondent for GarberSports, Masters of Sports Law (LL.M)

More in MMA

Rat-Battles To World Titles: How Francis Ngannou Became A World Champion

Babatunde KolawoleMarch 31, 2021

UFC 244 Main Event: Masvidal vs Diaz

Daniel BerditSeptember 20, 2019

Firmino, Gamzatov Reign Supreme at WSOF 27

ololade olatunjiJanuary 23, 2016

Bibiano Fernandes Keeps Bantamweight Title at ONE Championship 37

ololade olatunjiJanuary 23, 2016

Cormier Edges Gustafsson In UFC 192 War

Emmanuel WonderOctober 7, 2015

UFC 192: The Preview

Emmanuel WonderOctober 2, 2015

Fedor Emelianenko Announces His Next Fight

Emmanuel WonderSeptember 22, 2015

NSAC Suspends Nick Diaz for 5 Years

Emmanuel WonderSeptember 20, 2015

UFC Books Dillashaw vs. Cruz

Emmanuel WonderSeptember 15, 2015