Music to listen to: A ridiculous jam by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers in Poland back in 2007
On Saturday, the UFC makes another major step in the development of the company and advancement of MMA in general with UFC on Fox 1. This isn’t the first time that MMA has been on network television, Strikeforce and Elite XC can stake claim to that title, but when the sport’s biggest organization makes this step, it is considered major news.
The fact that the main event is for the heavyweight title shouldn’t be ignored. Besides having two excellent fighters in the contest, the American sports fan has been clamoring for a recognizable heavyweight champion in a combat sport for years, especially in boxing. When boxing made the turn from being consistently on network TV (I still remember seeing free fights on weekend afternoons on ABC and CBS as a youth) to going exclusively on pay cable channels such as Showtime and HBO along with pay-per-views, it has left a void for combat fans that hasn’t been filled. The event on Saturday between a Mexican-American and a Brazilian, two contingents that traditionally don’t produce heavyweights, will have a chance to gain more fans for MMA.
Let’s get to the main two fights of the event.
Junior Dos Santos vs. Cain Velasquez: This has the potential to be one of the best fights ever combining combatants above 220 pounds.
Velasquez possesses two qualities that are usually foreign to most heavyweight fighters, speed and stamina. Both were on major display in his last fight against Brock Lesnar when Velasquez used precision striking, excellent takedown defense and a relentless pace to claim the heavyweight title.
Dos Santos’ boxing skills make him arguably the top stand-up fighter in the division. He has heavy hands and stamina shouldn’t be a question.
What we haven’t seen Dos Santos do is really fight off of his back. He’s been able to use his excellent takedown defense to avoid pressure on the ground and to stay on his feet, which is Dos Santo’s major strength.
We’ve seen Velasquez use his slick hand speed to overwhelm slower heavyweights but I expect him to return to his wrestling roots in this contest. This will not only wear down Dos Santos’ stamina, but frustrate the Brazilian into the championship rounds. Furthermore, it would be best to avoid standing with Dos Santos consistently in the fight.
Dos Santos needs to use his efficient jabs to keep the distance between him and Velasquez long to avoid the takedowns.
If the fight stays on the feet, Dos Santos will look more active and can get the decision. If Velasquez can mix in takedowns, than he will look like the one with a higher work rate.
Prediction: Velasquez by 5th round TKO
Ben Henderson vs. Clay Guida: The winner of this fight most likely will get to face Frankie Edgar for the lightweight crown, so the stakes are high. Both men use a high-paced fighting style to overwhelm their opponents.
Guida has been one of the most durable fighters in MMA for years and can be described as wildly effective in his techniques. However, the long hair and odd personality shouldn’t take away from Guida’s excellent wrestling skills and stamina to outlast his opponent.
Henderson has a more cerebral approach to his fighting but can certainly mix it up with anybody in the division.
The key to the fight will be if Guida can control his aggressive style and not leave himself open to a submission by Henderson. Guida still leaves himself open to offensive submission attempts by his opponent and Henderson has some good ground attacking skills.
Prediction: Henderson by decision
The Sports Inquirer 
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