Admittedly, UFC 122 is the least star-studded event the promotion has put on in some time, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be a lackluster event whatsoever. The headliner is an exciting matchup between Nate Marquardt and Yushin Okami, with the winner guaranteed a title shot. Plus, it’s on free TV! Winnipeg, Manitoba’s Krzysztof Soszynski is featured on the main card as he takes on Goran Reljic, who is returning to light heavyweight after a failed stint at middleweight. Soszynski is coming off a TKO loss to Stephan Bonnar at UFC 116 and will look to get back on the winning track. Joe Silva has done his job well since so many of the fights on this card are difficult to predict. However, that usually means the fights will be close, competitive and exciting for fans.
For more MMA news and notes follow me on http://twitter.com/MikeyJ_MMA. Here is a complete breakdown of UFC 122:- Nate Marquardt vs. Yushin Okami
The winner gets a title shot and that will bring out the best in both headliners. Okami is one of the strongest wrestlers in the division and has excellent control. Since Marquardt has shown to be susceptible to being put on his back, this is where Okami will need to exploit Nate. Okami is a southpaw with a stiff, accurate jab whose standup is constantly improving. Standing and trading with Nate wouldn’t be the best strategy though. Okami has been training with Chael Sonnen, who handily beat Marquardt at UFC 109, so his plan may be to get on top and ground-and-pound.
Still, Marquardt, one of GSP’s training partners, is arguably the most well-rounded middleweight and is more motivated than ever. It’s a bad stylistic matchup for Marquardt and it is very tempting to pick Okami. But, Marquardt’s striking proficiency and agility should be the difference in this bout.
Marquardt.
- Jorge Rivera vs. Alessio Sakara
Both men are riding three-fight win streaks and are promising a crowd pleasing, standup war. Since the tragic death of his oldest daughter, Rivera is 3-0 and has never seemed more motivated. Sakara has shown a suspect chin in several of his UFC bouts when he faces power punchers like Houston Alexander, Drew McFedries and Chris Leben. Well, Rivera is also an aggressive, powerful striker and that could spell trouble for the Italian. Sakara’s boxing is more fluid and technically sound, but Rivera also has an advantage on the ground. Rivera should monitor his aggression since Sakara has better technical counterstriking.
Rivera.
- Dennis Siver vs. Andre Winner
This should be an exciting fight between two lightweights that usually choose to stand and strike. Winner is a quick, crisp boxer with fast, smooth footwork and fairly good takedown defense. Siver, who will be fighting in front of his German countrymen, is a dangerous kickboxer whose skills are more varied than Winner’s. The difference in this fight could be Winner’s reach advantage. If he is able to stay on the outside by utilizing his reach and footwork, it could be frustrating for Siver. But Siver isn’t stubborn and will go to the ground if he feels like it’s to his advantage. It’s a tough fight to call. However, if it is close and goes to a decision, Siver being German and having the crowd’s support could be a factor.
Siver.
- Amir Sadollah vs. Peter Sobotta
Germany’s Peter Sobotta says he has improved and will be a better fighter than he has shown so far in his UFC career (0-2 in the UFC). On the other hand,
TUF 7 winner Amir Sadollah is coming off a humbling loss to Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 114. On the feet, Sadollah has the advantage with his Muay Thai skills and ability to put complex combinations together. On the ground, he has shown an active guard and while training at Xtreme Couture has developed solid wrestling. No offense to the German, he has potential, but if Sadollah can’t get by him, he doesn’t deserve to be on the UFC roster.
Sadollah.
- Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Goran Reljic
Winnipeg’s Krzysztof Soszynski looks to bounce back after a loss, albeit an exciting one, to Stephan Bonnar at UFC 116. He takes on Goran Reljic, who is back in the light heavyweight division after a failed experiment at middleweight. Reljic will likely want to stand with Krzysztof since he has trained with Mirko Cro Cop and will enjoy a reach advantage. Look for the Croatian to stay on the outside and throw power kicks and straight punches. Krzysztof should have a strength and wrestling advantage, so if the striking isn’t going his way, look for him to clinch and control Reljic. This should be a close, fun fight to watch. Reljic is unbeaten when he fights at 205lbs, so the Canadian could be in for a long night.
Soszynski.
PRELIMINARY CARD- Alexandre Ferreira vs. Vladimir Matyushenko
Ferreira is a short, powerful fighter that is likely to gas if the fight gets out of the first round. Matyushenko has been in there with the best for over ten years and will use his veteran savvy to stall the Brazilian’s early onslaught. Ferreira’s best chance is putting ‘The Janitor’ on his back early, which will be very difficult, and locking in an arm lock or going for a leg while they are still dry. Matyushenko will weather the storm and use his superior skills to get the win, likely by decision.
Matyushenko.
- Kyle Noke vs. Rob Kimmons
Two experienced middleweights here. Noke prefers to strike and Kimmons is a solid wrestler with fight ending chokes in his arsenal. Noke needs to stay on the feet. He has been controlled in the past when put on his back and Kimmons has the wrestling to do so. Noke has a win over George Sotirooulos and a draw against Hector Lombard, while Kimmons hasn’t beaten any big names. Another close fight to call.
Noke.
- Karlos Vemola vs. Seth Petruzelli
Vemola is super aggressive and will likely be in control for the first round. Petruzelli is more experienced and won’t be intimidated, but will need to be ready get bull rushed. Vemola has been a big fish in a small pond for most of his career and he learned that in his UFC debut where he lost to Jon Madsen at UFC 116. That was at heavyweight and Vemola has since dropped down to 205, which is a good decision. Petruzelli has a more refined skill set and the ability to win the fight anywhere it goes. Still, Vemola has a ton of potential based on his athleticism and aggression.
Vemola in an upset.
- Duane Ludwig vs. Nick Osipczak
Duane ‘Bang’ Ludwig has been one of the best boxers in MMA for years, but that hasn’t translated into an overly impressive record (19-11). Nick Osipczak is a talented, young Brit trying to bounce back from two straight decision losses. ‘Slick Nick’ is bigger, stronger and better on the ground, so that’s where he is likely to take the fight. If he trades with ‘Bang,’ that’s the sound his head will make when it hits the canvas.
Osipczak.
- Kris McCray vs. Carlos Eduardo Rocha
Here is a bit of irony for you: Kris McCray was born in Germany but grew up in America and Carlos Eduardo Rocha is Brazilian, but has fought his entire career in Germany. Both men earn the majority of their wins via submission, so expect a lot of grappling. Rocha is undefeated, but McCray has fought the tougher competition. McCray, being North American should have a striking and wrestling advantage, but if the fight goes to the ground, Rocha may take control.
Rocha.
- Pascal Krauss vs. Mark Scanlon
Scanlon is versed in Luta Livre, a form of wrestling and Krauss has shown solid ground skills as well. Krauss is favoured and will be in his home country, but Scanlon may put Krauss in some uncomfortable positions, like on his back. Scanlon, a Brit, trains with Terry Etim and takes this fight on short notice. Neither man has lost or gone to decision, and the winner will be one of the new up-and-comers at 170lbs.
Scanlon in an upset.
By Mike Johnston
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