UFC 99: The Comeback Preview

UFC 99 presents a set of vary intriguing match-ups. We will break down each individual match-up here at UFC Mania. Weather you use it to gain some money off of bets, impress your friends, or just gain some knowledge, UFC Mania is your place.

Undercard Spotlight:

John Hathaway vs. Rick Story

John Hathaway is fighting his second fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship Welterweight division. In his first fight the Brit defeated Irishman Tom Egan by TKO. John Hathaway comes into this fight with an undefeated record of 11-0. His defeat of Tom Egan was very impressive, as Hathaway showed his dominate use of ground and pound causing the referee to stop the fight. This, however, isn't so impressive because Egan was considered to have an extremely weak ground game. Still, nonetheless Hathaway's ground game is not to be overlooked, expect him to try to take this fight to the ground and use his accurate striking from the top.

Rick Story's go to game is his wrestling. Story went to the NAIA national championship in wrestling. Rick Story's strength is evident when looking at some of his vicious slams. Rick's professional record is 7-2, and Story is coming off of a 6 fight win streak winning his last fight by rear-naked choke. Story also wants to take this fight to the ground and work his ground and pound, and perhaps submit Hathaway.

So with both fighters trying to take the fight to the ground who gets the advantage. Although Hathaway has the advantage in the ground and pound game, I'm picking Story in this fight because of his wrestling background. With the ability to take down Hathaway, and avoid Hathaway's takedown attempts look for Story to get in advantagous positions, allowing him to dominate this fight.

Winner: Rick Story 2nd Round TKO

Maincard Fights:


Marcus Davis vs. Dan Hardy

Marcus "The Irish Hand Grenade" Davis is a definite force to be reckoned with. Formally a professional boxer, Marcus Davis didn't earn his nickname for being light-handed. With 5 (T) KO victories Davis shows that he has the stand up game, but the largest transition between this Irish Hand Grenade and the Irish Hand Grenade we've seen before is his clearly mixed martial arts training. Davis has finished 8 fights by submission, and not just rear-naked chokes, but guillotine chokes, arm bars, and even the rare achilles lock. Davis shows that he has more than the stand-up game, but can finish the fight on the ground.

Dan Hardy, however isn't a pushover. A new up and coming fighter Hardy has heavy hands as well. Winning 11 fights by (T)KO including his last victory over Rory Markham, Hardy is a stand-up force. Hardy also can pull of submissions, wining 4 fights by submission. Hardy has a professional record of 21 wins with 6 loses and a record of 2 wins no losses in the UFC.

I have to give the stand-up edge to the Hand Grenade. Its hard to argue this since Davis was a professional boxer for many years. The Ground game I also give to Marcus Davis. Marcus Davis's very improved ground game is quickly transforming him into a all-around fighter to be reckoned with in the Welterweight division.

Winner: Marcus Davis decision





Spencer Fisher vs. Caol Uno

Spencer Fisher is most well known from is fights with Sam Stout, going down as some of the best fights in UFC history. Spencer "The King" Fisher is a very skilled and experienced fighter. At the age of 33 Fisher has been fighting professionally for 7 1/2 years achevieng an impressive record of 22-4. Fisher is very good standing up, with good footwork and heavy hands, he has shown he can stand up with the best of them. Fisher also has submission skills with 8 submission victories, including his last fight. In that last fight he submitted Shannon Gugerty by Triangle Choke. Spencer fisher would definantly like to keep the fight standing up. He stated in an interview with WatchKalibRun.com that,

“I am right in the mix of it. I am probably the best stand up fighter in the lightweight division full of wrestlers"

But that isn't how Fisher says he'll finish the fight, he continues with

"I don’t think he will stand with me very long. I think he will revert to try and take me down and I am going to try and catch him with a knee on the way in and I am going try and knock him out that’s my plan I think his chin is suspect and that’s what I am going to try and exploit”

Japan's Caol Uno is also a very experienced fighter, however, he hasn't fought in the UFC since UFC 44. Caol Uno was one of the best in his prime contending with names like BJ Penn and Matt Serra. Caol Uno's is one of the best submission artists in the game. He won runner up in the World Submission Wrestlining Championships. He lost to submission artist Juan Machado in the finals. Caol Uno is also known for his signature one-legged takedowns and rear-naked choke. In Caol's prime this fight would almost seem unfair, but who knows if he will be up to his highest level.

The Stand-up game defenently goes to Spencer Fisher, no contest. The King is one of the best stand-up guys in the 155lb weight class, and if this fight stays standing up, this fight is over before it even starts. If Caol, however, can thake this fight to the map, advantage Uno. If I have to choose a fate for this match i'll say Caol Uno wins by submission, thats just a gut feeling though

Winner: Caol Uno 2nd Round Submission
Submission of the night

Mike Swick vs. Ben Saunders

Mike Swick is a lightning fast striker, he has incredibly quick and heavy hands. With 8 of his 15 fights ending with a Swick victory in the first round, its understandable how he got the nick name Quick. Mike Swick is one of the best kickboxers in the light-weight class. Swick is probobly looking to keep this fight standing, and would like to continue to pound Saunders with his signature quick combos.

Saunders is newer to the Octogon, with only 3 fights in the octogon, his inexperience may be a factor in this fight. Also a kickboxer Saunders uses Jeet Kuno Do techniches and applies them affectivly. Saunders is very tall for a Welterweight fighter at 6'3", so look for his to try to stay outside on Swick and use his reach advantage. If he does get in close, look for a possible use of the Muy Thai Clinch, as he used repeated knees from this position to finish off his last apponent Brandon Wolff.

Although Saunders reach advantage may be a deciding factor, I can't get over Mike Swick's proven knock-out power. I think that the result of this fight is a Mike "Quick" Swick victory

Winner: Mike Swick Decision

Mirko Cro Crop vs. Mostapha Al Turk

Fan favorite Mirko Cro Crop returns to the UFC! Maybe this time he will be the one Knocking people out with head kicks. Mirko is known throughout the mixed martial arts world for his vicious left head kicks. Throughout his mixed martial arts career Cro Crop has earned 9 victories because of the sheer power and accuracy behind his kicks. Cro Crop however has been on the losing end of each of his last two UFC bouts. The first was against brazilian Muy Thai expert Gabriel Gonzaga, in this match it was Cro Crop who was KOd by head kick. In his next fight he fought French heavyweight Cheick Kango. Cango like Cro Cro is a master of Kickboxing. Kango won the bout by unanimous decision.

Mostapha Al Turk isn's very well known in the world of mixed martial arts. He also lost his last fight in the UFC, and he also faught Cheick Kango in his last fight. Al Turk lost that fight by TKO in the second round because he took two vicious right hands from Kango

I think we will see Cro Crop finally get his first UFC victory. I predict a Cro Crop victory, yup you guessed it, by heak kick knockout in the second round

Winner: Mirko Cro Crop 2nd Round KO
KO of the night


Cheick Kango vs Cain Velasquez

Cheick Kango is an established contender in the heavyweight division. With victories over well named fighters like Mirko Cro Crop, Kango has proven himself. Kango has a professional record of 14-4-1. Kango is a vicious kickboxer and also knows Muy Thai. Kango has shown increadible stregnth in both hands and feet, not to mention knees and elbows. Kango is a machine, with over 70% of his victories comming by knockout Kango has shown to the MMA world that he is one bad dude. It has also been annonced that should he win, he will get a title shot against the winner of Mir vs. Lesner.
Kango, however, is going against another knockout artist in Cain Velasquez. Even better than Kango, Velaszuez wins 100% of the time, with 100% KOs. The thing about Velasquez is that he hasn't fought anyone close to the talent of Kango. Cain does have something else going for him. Kango has shown a weakness when fighting strong wrestlers, and Velasques is a 2-time NCAA All-American wrestler. This could prove to be Kango's downfall.
This fight displays a very interesting match-up, and is sure to be a great fight. Velasquez really holds this fight in his hand, if he wants to take it to the ground he can take Kango down. Also he could choose to keep it standing, as he surely has the ability to avoid Kango's takedowns. I think this fight will be an all out brawl, simply a war in the Octogon.

Kango TKO 3rd round
Fight of the Night

Main Event:

Wanderlei Silva vs. Rich Franklin

Wanderlei Silva is a great fighter. There is no doubt about it. Wanderlei Silva is a master of Muy Thai, and has a knockout reel as long and good as anyone around. He is one of the most entertaining fighters in MMA history, a pride champion for so many years, Wanderlei dominated Japan. As of late, however, he hasn't been the same fighter he was. Losing 4 out of his last 5 fights Wanderlei's form as certainly decreased. If he wins this fight it will cement his chances of a fight with rival Anderson Silva, but if he loses, it is obvious that Wanderlei is a shadow of what he used to be.
Rich Franklin is also a great fighter. There is no doubt about it. A knockout specialist, Rich Franklin is one scary fighter. He strikes fear into anyone who steps into the octagon with him. With 13 (T)KO victories he's very heavy handed. Great standing up, he also has great submission skills. He also has 9 victories by submission, showing that he is a threat from anywhere.
But don't expect to much ground and pound in this fight, expect an all out brawl. With the matchup these two fighters have, there are surely going to be some monster punches thrown. I defenently expect this fight to end by (T)KO either for Franklin or Silva. Over all though, I have to go advantae Franklin. Silva just doesn't seem to have it anymore. I'm not quite sure what it is, but Wanderlei is missing it.

winner: Rich Franklin 2nd round TKO