UFC 114 Results Preview, My Views

Many of you did not enjoy it when I compared prelim fights to “Futurama” on the basis that they’re both designed to appeal to nerds. Well, let me assure you that your reaction confirms that you are all indeed nerds, and that is something to be proud of. After all, history’s greatest figures -- every person from Copernicus to Rakim -- are rightly regarded as big nerds and they’re nevertheless awesome. With that in mind, let us all relish from the nerdy goodness which is the prelim lineup of UFC 114 “Rampage vs. Evans.” In fact, additional relishing is in order because Spike will be airing the Persian hipster Amir Sadollah’s fight with judoka slash elbow fiend Dong Hyun Kim at the same time as Mexican hero inside making Efrain Escudero taking for the Lauzon brother who doesn’t look like my mind’s image on the Zodiac killer. Get your acts together and get prepared for the fights to come, because now I'm gonna give you a new analysis of what is to come. Amir Sadollah vs. Dong Hyun Kim Sadollah is a walking case study on why winning “The Ultimate Fighter” is equal parts hex and godsend.

He won the show’s seventh season despite having the detached air of a Williamsburg hipster and no professional knowledge whatsoever. A preternatural grasp for the sport, on the other hand, is insufficient at this level and Sadollah was promptly stopped by the bearded brawler Johny Hendricks in 29 seconds flat at UFC 101. Watching their would-be golden boy get wailed on forced the UFC’s matchmakers to switch gears, and Sadollah has considering that gone 2- thanks to more stylistically favorable matchmaking.

His good luck ends with Dong Hyun Kim, the physically imposing Korean welterweight fresh off a one-sided ground-and-pound pelting of TJ Grant. Kim is simply a difficult style matchup for anyone in the division. He’s particularly problematic for Sadollah simply because there is no chance he’ll oblige him for the feet. At this point in his career, Sadollah is really a muay Thai fighter with decent offensive submission skills but not the fundamentals or technique being considered a high-level grappler. Combine that with his lackadaisical takedown defense and you've the sort of fighter Kim can control from bell to bell. A single on the better judokas within the game these days, Kim is especially adept at using reaps at the same time as head-and-arm throws from inside the clinch. Although Sadollah does have a real talent for landing knees and in-line elbows from the clinch, Kim keeps his opponents in tight with underhooks and presses them into the cage to further get rid of space. It does bear noting that Matt Brown managed to rough up Kim from inside the clinch at UFC 88, but that was largely since Kim gassed himself out early by being over-aggressive. Conditioning was also a difficulty for Kim in his UFC 94 bout with Karo Parisyan, but he has seeing that adopted a far more disciplined approach and considerably improved his conditioning although adding lean muscle mass. Contemplating Sadollah isn’t some hulking beast built for a trench war, Kim’s size advantage and grinding style could wear on him as the bout progresses.

The other issue awaiting Sadollah is his own -- namely, his lacking KO energy. Landing accurately and in volume is Sadollah’s design, and it has worked effectively against opponents who were willing to trade with him about the feet. Against an opponent like Kim who will give him precious few opportunities for the feet, Sadollah is missing the kill-shot power to maximize those possibilities. Need to Kim’s cardio issues appear creeping back, on the other hand, Sadollah has shown several times that he can outlast persons like he’s playing “Survivor.” Nevertheless, it’s tough to believe that scenario will play out since Kim outclassed Grant for 15 minutes without even a hint of trouble. If Grant’s nifty butterfly guard couldn’t stop Kim from rag-dolling him, it makes you wonder how Sadollah manages any improved than a lopsided choice loss.