UFC heavyweight champion Junior ?Cigano? dos Santos makes his first title defense against challenger and former champ Frank Mir shortly at the Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
dos Santos won the title in November of 2011 with a quick knockout win over Cain Velasquez, while Mir impressively took out dos Santos? mentor Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140 last? December.
An all-heavyweight main card does not happen every day. Enjoy this one thoroughly folks.
Welcome back to The Crossfire.
MMA Crossfire Expert Cassie Wiseman checks in with her thoughts on the main card:
Cassie is a mixed martial artist with over five years of study. Training primarily in South Korea, she has black belts in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Muay Thai kickboxing. A proud Canadian from Roberts Arm, Newfoundland, she files for The Crossfire having recently returned from South Korea. She also blogs for Postmedia Networks? Womens Fight Club website.
UFC 146: DOS SANTOS VS MIR
LAS VEGAS, NV ? MAY 25: (L-R) Opponents Roy Nelson and Dave Herman face off after making weight during the UFC 146 official weigh in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 25, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Roy ?Big Country? Nelson (17-7-0) vs. Dave Herman (21-3-0)
Wiseman: Regardless of the KO power of Herman, one thing that Nelson has been able to prove in the UFC is that he can take a load of punishment. That has also been a problem that Nelson has had, just throwing a single punch but eating a flurry. Herman brings a wrestling background into the mix, but he isn?t going to want to take Nelson to the ground because Nelson is superior off his back. A key to this match for Nelson is the cardio problem that plagues Herman. Nelson will eat a lot in the first round, but Herman will slowly tire leaving room for Nelson to fire a few bombs of his own.
Wiseman Prediction: Roy ?Big Country? Nelson v?a decision.
LAS VEGAS, NV ? MAY 25: (L-R) Opponents Cain Velasquez and Antonio ?Big Foot? Silva face off after making weight during the UFC 146 official weigh in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 25, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Cain Velasquez (9-1-0) vs. Antonio ?Bigfoot? Silva (16-3-0)
Wiseman: When it comes to fighting bigger fighters,? Velasquez is well-schooled. He?s shown his speed, wrestling and cardio can test any man. There are questions about his torn rotator cup and if it?s fully healed, but other then that Velasquez will be able to out maneuver Silva. Compared to the fighters Velasquez fought in the past, Silva doesn?t bring anything to the table that Velasquez hasn?t seen and dominated before.
Wiseman Prediction: Cain Velasquez via TKO.
MAIN EVENT
LAS VEGAS, NV ? MAY 25: (L-R) UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior dos Santos and challenger Frank Mir face off during the UFC 146 official weigh in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 25, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Junior ?Cigano? dos Santos (14-1-0) vs Frank Mir (16-5-0)
Wiseman: The odds are all in favour for dos Santos, but don?t count out Frank Mir so fast. We all know that JDS is going to try for a KO and there is no question that his striking and striking speed is superior to Mir?s. The problem that comes into play is if Mir is able to take things to the ground. JDS has shown good takedown defense in the past, so Mir would need to try for a sweep or something outside of a single or double-leg takedown. Against Mir is his struggle with getting off the cage. Going against a fighter like JDS who will continue to throw bombs, could make for a short night for Mir. Another problem that Mir has shown in the past is his struggle with clearing his head after being rocked. If a fighter gives Mir time, then it?s a different story. The unfortunate part for Mir is that JDS will keep coming until the referee steps in to call the fight. We haven?t seen JDS? ground game, but considering Mir submitted the best of the best, there is no question that JDS doesn?t want things to go to the mat. Granted Mir?s standup has improved, but his combinations don?t come close to that of JDS? and since every fight starts standing, and JDS has better takedown defense then Mir has takedown ability, this is going to be a rough night for Mir.
Wiseman Prediction: Junior ?Cigano? dos Santos via TKO.
MMA CROSSFIRE RELATED LINKS:
MMA Crossfrire ? Top 10 fights of 2011: Wiseman?s #5
After The Crossfire ? UFC 140: Jones vs Machida
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