Even in the cynical, hyperbole-laden fight game, it seemed unlikely that the UFC would have resort to an eleventh hour rivalry creation between one of its bigger stars and a part-time barista, in order to sell a card with a main event that features the first bout between two Olympic medal-winners in the history of the organisation .
However, an injury to Rashad Evans has meant that Patrick Cummins, a virtual unknown, will take on Daniel Cormier, with whom, he has a tetchy history, in Saturday night’s penultimate bout at the Mandalay Bay Events Centre in Las Vegas. Why exactly the promotion has largely ignored the compelling story of Sara McMann remains a mystery.
Ronda Rousey v. Sara McMann
Hollywood obligations meant Ronda Rousey took a 10 month hiatus between the first and second defence of her women’s bantamweight title, but her third was only 56 days in the making and, if successful, would see her break yet another record in her brief career.
Matt Hughes tried and failed to do likewise within an identical timeframe; after beating BJ Penn at UFC 63, he was usurped by GSP at UFC 65. At this stage, it has become old hat for us to be told a dominant champion is about to face ‘the toughest test of their career’ but in this case it might actually be true.
Sara McMann, whose life belongs on the pages of a film script, not only won a silver medal in the 2004 Olympic Games, but is considered to be one of the best amateur female wrestlers on the planet.
She is the first opponent Rousey has faced to have also competed at the highest level of competition, and for that reason alone should be viewed as a viable threat to her title. In December, Miesha Tate, despite being almost completely dominated, was the first fighter to take the champion out of the opening round, before falling victim to the same armbar as her six predecessors.
Outside of their flawless records and Olympic medals, Rousey and McMann share a powerful build most female fighters do not possess. McMann, thanks to a lifetime of training, is about as physically imposing as it gets, and will not be overpowered like Tate.
We may see a grappling heavy judo/wrestling death struggle or, like in many instances, the fighters’ main weapons could be negated in favour of a slugfest. If McMann can put ‘Rowdy’ on her back and assume a strong top position, it will be interesting to see how things transpire, but the execution must be perfect, otherwise, it’ll be business as usual for the champion.
My Prediction: McMann by unanimous decision.
Daniel Cormier v. Patrick Cummins
Daniel Cormier’s much-anticipated drop to light heavyweight has been largely trivialised by the late withdrawal of Rashad Evans, and the subsequent circus that has ensued with the emergence of Patrick Cummins.
Cummins, as Dana White has been delighted to exploit, was a training partner of Cormier’s at the Olympic training centre, and it was there the now infamous crying incident took place. Cummins’ relish in telling the world he made his opponent weep, is not only a brilliant piece of self-promotion, but has served to irk him no end.
You can’t blame him to for basking in the spotlight, considering less than a fortnight ago he was serving espressos to make ends meet but, chances are, he’s going to regret it. What we know about Cummins is this; he’s undefeated in small promotions; he was a two-time All American as a walk on at Penn University, and comes highly recommended by Chael Sonnen and Mark Munoz.
But he’s being asked to make a step up in competition the equivalent of playing Stoke City one week, and Bayern Munich the next. Cormier has never lost, fighting in a weight class he is far too small for. If he can beat Bigfoot Silva, Josh Barnett, Frank Mir and Roy Nelson, then Cummins should be a cake-walk.
My Prediction: Cormier by KO/TKO in Round 1.
Rory MacDonald v. Demian Maia
Up until their last fights welterweights Rory MacDonald and Demian Maia were on win streaks that had placed them on the precipice of a No.1 contender spot, but respective losses to Robbie Lawler and Jake Shields have seen their stock deplete.
Maia had looked outstanding in his three outings at 170lbs before his bout with Shields-a genuine contender for the most boring 15 minutes in the history of the recorded universe. McDonald’s split-decision loss to Lawler, however, was part of more prolonged malaise, when considering his tentative jab-heavy victory over Jake Ellenberger.
The young Canadian appears to have lost that ruthless, Patrick Bateman-esque quality and, as a result, missed out on the chance to fight Jonny Hendricks for GSP’s vacated title.
He claims to have rediscovered his robotic focus and is adamant he will be champion sooner rather than later. MacDonald is unquestionably the more well-rounded of the two; Maia has improvement markedly in the stand-up realm, but his game is still firmly rooted in BJJ. So, if MacDonald avoids any prolonged exchanges on the mat, it’s his to lose.
My Prediction: MacDonald by unanimous decision.
Mike Pyle v.TJ Waldburger
During an impressive personal renaissance, wily welterweight veteran Mike Pyle has had his hand raised in four of his last five fights, and will face TJ Waldburger, a man 13 years his junior, in desperate need of a victory.
Waldburger has two of his last three, so if he doesn’t prevail tomorrow, it’s not unthinkable that he will be unemployed by Sunday. Like Pyle, he is a crafty submission artist, but lacks both his momentum and experience, which may prove telling.
My Prediction: Pyle by submission in round 3.
Robert Whittaker v. Stephen Thompson
Two dynamic karate-specialists with everything to prove are bound to be compelling view. Between Thompson’s penchant for the spectacular and Whittaker’s unorthodox offensive artillery, the main card’s opener has Fight of the Night written all over it. A convincing win for either man would be a major statement.
My prediction: Thompson by KO in round 2.
By Tom Rooney – @oldmanrooney
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