UFC on FOX – Velasquez versus DosSantos
This is a different layout than usual as the UFC is debuting on FOX in the US with their biggest feature yet to their biggest audience.
Cain Velasquez will defend his heavyweight title for the first time since taking it from Brock Lesnar against fellow unbeaten contender, Junior DosSantos after almost a years layoff with a rotator cuff injury. Thus Fox are showing an hour-long event main event feature and broadcasting the undercard on its subsidiary channels.
How does this affect us in Ireland and the UK?
Well, the usual carrier, ESPN is not showing the event. Setanta is, but this event only. So you’re average Irish and UK subscriber has to fork out to Setanta for this one event only. Both SKY and Setanta customer services are unable to advise if the deal will be ongoing. They give the impression the UFC hasn’t made up its mind. The minimum sign up for Setanta is two months @ €16.99 and a sign-up fee of €14.99 so nearly €50 later, I get to see this event whilst paying ESPN for nothing.
Needless to say, I’m pissed off. I suspect if the UFC had their way, they would set-up on a pay-per-view basis only but as the UFC’s nemesis, the boxing business discovered, the European market will not stand for PPV.
So on with the fights…
Cain Velasquez is a beast. He’s one of the smaller heavyweights in the UFC but was able to manhandle the biggest (Brock Lesnar), last time out. He can take shots all day as he proved against elite striker, Cheick Kongo, and keep coming forward to deliver takedowns and vicious, calculated ground and pound. He’s a bloody-minded, almost robotic competitor who will not be stopped.
Junior Dos Santos has the KO power of a heavyweight and the speed and accuracy of the best of the smaller divisions with a highlight reel of KO finishes leading him to his first title opportunity. His takedown defence is unrivalled, something he showed against powerful wrestlers in Shane Carwin and Roy Nelson in the past. To use a convenient cliché, he is the immovable object to Velasquez’ unstoppable force.
That said, Dos Santos has rarely been tested on the feet. Despite his reach disadvantage, Velasquez will deliver powerful, hurting shots to he body as well as uppercuts. If there is a weakness in the Brazilians armoury, then this could be it. He has maybe had it too easy…. Velasquez however has been tested both on the feet and on the ground. If he can take JDS down, then he may ground and pound this out in his usual fashion. What will be the big reveal of the night will be just how good Juniors submission attack is off his back.
The other significant fight on the card is a lightweight contender battle between two cardio machines in Clay Guida and Benson Henderson. UFC supremo, Dana White has confirmed the winner gets the next title shot against Frankie Edgar, another cardio machine – none of these guys have an off button.
Clay Guida’s style is to overwhelm his opponents with his work ethic but that won’t hold sway against Benson Henderson at all who is a freakishly large lightweight. I see the former WEC champion pushing this to a decision against the perennial contender and UFC mainstay. Faced against this kind of overwhelming power, I suspect Guida will look to cut weight and go down a division. I suspect this will be the case with a number of UFC lightweights as Henderson and other former WEC standouts such as Donald Cerrone are just tearing up the status quo.
I’ll not bang on about the rest of the card. It’s a mish-mash of high-potential, future contenders and also-rans looking for a second chance but then these can often be the most entertaining fights. Often when the main event is of such a high standard and significance, the undercard tends to be opportunity land for the young and the restless.
In closing, I can’t imagine there are too many fans as devoted as me to such an extent that they would fork out the near €50 for this card. If, however, you are, or moreover, you are already a Setanta subscriber and you have received this golden boon, be sure to watch it as it’s going to be COMPLETELY FUCKING AWESOME!!!!!!!
Rafter
Baz
Oh, and myself and Al Fresco will be back later to give you some tips on booze and grub to have if you’re getting the lads round to watch it.
No Comments
Got something to say?