What I Think About UFC 132 – Cruz vs. Faber

I’m so late with this post.

Sorry about that fight fans. Truth be told I was mulling around Asia, checking out its under-developed MMA and enjoying its superfine Oolong tea. If friends ask, I was also kissing the girls and making them cry. Hard.

Anyway…

UFC 132.

There’s the headline between Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber. Wanderlei Silva, Chris Leben, Ryan Bader and Tito Ortiz are co-maining the event. Take it from me, something must be wrong if Ortiz gets to co-main an event. And I was right. Something is wrong. This card looks so incredibly boring.

First match up: Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber

This might be the only fight worth watching. It’s a dirty secret, but the most exciting MMA fights take place at the lighter weight classes. Cruz and Faber are quick, nimble, super-toddlers with excellent wrestling backgrounds. They’re entertainment dynamite waiting to be lit.

STRIKING:

I’d give it to Urijah Faber. He’s a lot more accurate with his punches and certainly more creative when it comes to hitting people. If you recall, Faber used his elbows when he broke both hands fighting Mike Brown and then Jose Aldo. His front kick is damn well annoying/effective too. Cruz has faster hands but it’s wild, angry and woman-like. Cruz’s left roundhouse kick looks decent but in general, he has no knockout power.

WRESTLING:

Hard to say. I’m willing to give it to Faber simply because he’s bigger but it’s not all too clear. Cruz has a faster double-leg takedown but it’s only been used against smaller guys. So can he take down Urijah? I’m not too sure.

SUBMISSIONS:

Faber again (wow, field day). Cruz is a wrestler that’s good at maintaining top position. He doesn’t submit people and to be honest he hasn’t in any of his fights. I’m sure Cruz has adequate submission defense but he hasn’t fought any real grapplers at his weight class. Faber has choked out several guys in his career (including Dominick Cruz) and is also ranked in BJJ. You can see that his submission defense is more than above-average when he fought Jose Aldo. Bloodied and broken, Faber avoided being choked out even though Jose Aldo had his back with both hooks in.

On paper, Urijah Faber is bigger and pretty much better at everything. I’m not saying Cruz can’t win, he just needs a good game plan. If you ask me, Cruz needs to make use of the fact that he’s smaller. He’s faster and since he didn’t have to cut as much weight, his stamina/cardio is probably better. A winning Dominick Cruz would fight like Frankie Edgar against BJ Penn; using dizzying footwork as well as unpredictable in-and-out movements. I also recommend doing what Jose Aldo did. That is, kicking the shit out of Faber’s cankles.

Faber’s got it. He’s bigger, stronger and a better grappler. I think that taking Cruz down and laying a ground and pound clinic is the answer here.

So my prediction?
Urijah Faber wins by 2nd round submission OR Dominick Cruz by unanimous decision.

I realize that there’s still two big fights left on the card but I really don’t have the enthusiasm to talk about them especially when I expect them both to be boring ass fights. Therefore, using science and predictive analysis I’ll quickly give some predictions. Basically I made some charts. Please, look.

Wanderlei Silva vs. Chris Leben

Bottom Line:
It’s going to be a stand up war and Wanderlei probably hits harder than Chris Leben. Silva wins by unanimous decision.

Ryan Bader vs. Tito Ortiz

Bottom Line:
It means jack that Tito Ortiz has more experience and is a much better grappler. Why? Ryan Bader is stronger, and Dana White hates him.

Ryan Bader by unanimous decision.

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