UFC 132 Offers Interesting Mix of New Talent and Legends
By Eric Hobaugh
UFC 132 tonight on PPV in Las Vegas, is a stacked card filled with interesting fights. The Main event is a championship bout rematch between Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber. Wanderlei Silva versus Chris Leban is an excellent clash of two of the best middleweights in the world. Also on the card, Ryan Bader will retire ’WAY OVER THE HILL’ Tito Ortiz. The other standout fight on the card is Lightweights Dennis Silver versus Matt Wiman. Carlos Condit versus Dong Hyun Kim is yet another very interesting fight.
Silver vs. Wiman is interesting, because Silver is one of the most underrated lightweights in the UFC. He is 6-1 in the UFC and tough as nails. His lone loss in the UFC came via a unanimous decision to Ross Pearson back in March, 2010. He is the premier striker in the lightweight division. Wiman is 6-4 in his UFC career and is a much more well-rounded fighter than Silver. His wrestling base makes him the ideal foe to Silver’s excellent striking. Silver will catch him in the second round and this one will end in a KO.
Carlos Condit versus Dong Hyun Kim matches two well-rounded fighters who are both improving. Carlos is more experienced and his game is one notch above Kim’s, but we all know in MMA, anything is possible. I predict Condit will submit Kim in the third round with a rear naked choke.
How many times do we have to watch Tito Ortiz? How many losses in a row will he be allowed to have? So many young and promising fighters are sent packing from the UFC after one or two losses to their record. It upsets me Dana White has basically 100% control over our sport. If you have ever read any of my stuff, you know how I feel about Dana White. Yes, he has also brought us to where we are. Anyway, this will be Ortiz’s last fight in the UFC. Bader will out wrestle and out strike Ortiz from the opening bell to the end of the fight. I think this one ends early and in devastating fashion. I am picking Ryan Bader with a KO in the first round.
The Wanderlei Silva versus Chris Leben fight is the fight of the night on paper. I just posted an entire article with my thoughts on this fight. I am picking Silva in an early KO.
Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber for the Bantamweight belt should be a barn burner. This is a re-match from a WEC title fight four years ago, where Faber defended his title via Rear Naked Choke. Both fighters have upgraded their game since the first fight. Cruz is one of the hardest to hit fighters on the planet. His in and out and crazy, erratic movement is very hard to figure out. His striking and wrestling is some of the best in this weight class. He has a great chin and his speed is unmatched. Faber, on the other hand, has many of the same positive attributes. He wrestling and striking are excellent. He has lost three fights since their last meeting. I predict Faber will out point Cruz and eke out a razor close decision.
This card should be one of the best in recent memory. Please take a good look at Tito if you are a fan, because it will be his last fight in the UFC.
