UFC 112 Undercard Preview

While this undercard as talent rich as UFN 21, UFC 112 undercard is pretty solid. In the last preview I did, I mentioned the better grappler will win each match-up. I do believe the better grapplers won in all fights. The theme for UFC 112 undercard is "a punchers chance."  Each of these match-ups relies on the underdog to "catch" their opponent.

Phil Davis vs. Alexander Gustafsson

Gustafsson is coming off a stunning KO win over Jared Hamman. Well all know now that Hamman's striking defense is awful and Davis’ should be much better. A punchers chance is all Gustafsson has got. Gustafsson won’t be able to get an under hook on Davis, much less stuff a takedown from the Division 1 champ. Gustafsson must use his reach and throw volume of punches to keep Davis at bay. This obviously will not happen, as long as Davis doesn’t get caught coming in he should have no trouble putting Gustafsson away.

SBN coverage of UFC 112: Invincible

Rick Story vs. Nick Osipczak

Two major prospects facing each other in the Welterweight division. You may remember Osipczak from the Ultimate Fighter Season 9. Osipczak is 2-0 in the UFC against not so UFC caliber opponents (Frank Lester, Matt Riddle). Story has impressed fans in his last two outings against Jesse Lennox and Brain Foster. Story is the much better wrestler and he will want this fight to hit the mat early if he wants a win against Osipczak. Osipczak can crack and has good way of setting up his head kicks. Osipczak has the muaythai edge, so it will be interesting to watch these two in the clinch. Ultimately, Story is just too strong and a much better wrestler than Osipczak.

Paul Kelly vs. Matt Veach

Both fighters coming off losses in their last bouts, the winner is looking to stick around in the UFC. Kelly is much like his British counterpart Paul Taylor. Pretty decent striking, but poor wrestling. Matt Veach is predominantly a wrestler coming out of the H.I.T. Squad. In Veach's last fight, he was out-wrestling Frankie Edgar in the first round and got caught and finished in the second. Kelly has a puncher;s chance in this fight, Veach leaves himself exposed whenever he throws a right hand. Ultimately though, Veach will takedown Kelly and ground and pound his way to victory.

Paul Taylor vs. John Gunderson

Paul Taylor has an exciting kickboxing style with improving takedown defense ability. Taylor's power isn't overwhelming, but he can put together beautiful looking combos. Gunderson isn't a great wrestler by any means, but it is his best asset as a fighter. Gunderson likes to close the distance and clinch up with opponents. To me Gunderson is not a UFC level fighter, but he has a good chance of winning this fight, due to the favorable style match-up. I think Gunderson has poor striking defense and Taylor should be able to control the striking game.

DaMarques Johnson vs. Brad Blackburn

Brad Blackburn is a flake. That is all. DaMarques has shown some pretty good submission chops, he just has difficulty getting the fight to the floor. Both fighters are just mid-level fighters that are trying to earn a living in the UFC. Due to Johnson lack of striking defense, Blackburn should have the striking edge. Blackburn also has the better wrestling than Johnson, so all signs point to Blackburn winning this fight. However, Blackburn is a flake. If Johnson can get the fight to the floor he could submit Balckburn. I like Blackburn in this fight because he can wrestle and strike better than Johnson.

Jon Madsen vs. Mostapha Al-Turk

This is the only outlier in my undercard "punchers chance" theory. Madsen is a pretty good wrestler that will try to keep Al-Turk on his back. I haven't seen anything in Al-Turk's game that will give any trouble to Madsen. A pretty meaningless fighter here, Al-Turk should get his walking papers here. Madsen should wrestle his way to victory.