Sometimes in the UFC, cards just aren’t meant to be. UFC 186 was filled with promise when it was initially announced; two title fights, a breakout star, a familiar name and a title eliminator were initially scheduled for April 25 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada. Now we’re left with… a probable title fight beat-down and some fights with little to no title implications.
TJ Dillishaw, who scored perhaps the biggest upset in UFC history with his lopsided beating of Renan Barao was set for a re-match when this card was announced in February but had to pull out when he broke his rib in training.
Rory Macdonald and Hector Lombard were also set to meet, but that fight was scrapped when Lombard failed a post fight drug test at UFC 182. The fact that Lombard was caught juicing was a surprise to…absolutely no one.
And, finally, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson was expected to make his return to the promotion, when at the last minute rival promotor Bellator was able to win an injunction with the New Jersey Superior Court, which prevented him from competing.
This sort of card turnaround is a sad reality when dealing in combat sports. With the vast improvement of overall skill in MMA the margins of error are so slim between being a UFC champion and mid-tier fighter. To be the best you have to train to be the best, and with that comes an injury risk.
What we’re left with is perhaps one of the top-three pound-for pound-fighters in the UFC, Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson, defending his flyweight title for the sixth time. And that is something to be appreciated. Johnson is the most technically sound fighter in the UFC, with beautiful footwork and head movement, which advances his already phenomenal striking.
In addition, Johnson possesses some of the best MMA wrestling in the game today and two submission wins in his last four fights highlights his grappling ability.
Unfortunately, excellence sometimes has an inverse effect on a fight’s popularity especially when dealing with a humble, polite champion like Johnson. People pay to see exciting fights and finishes, or exuberant personalities. Johnson dismantles his opponents systematically while always keeping one eye out for the finish. This fight figures to not be much different…
Johnson v Horiguchi
Kyoji Horiguchi is a gifted fighter with excellent karate who is the reigning Shooto Bantamweight champion. He is also among the last great Japanese fighters, and at 24 is still improving. Against most flyweights, Horiguchi would be considered the odds-on favourite. Unfortunately, Johnson is not one of them. It’s hard to see a way that Horiguchi can defeat Johnson. On the feet, Horiguchi will be facing a significant speed disadvantage, and with the level changes and constant head darting Johnson is as tough an opponent to hit as they come. In addition, Horiguchi has to worry about Johnson’s wrestling, and ‘Mighty Mouse’ has some of the best timing in the UFC when it comes to shooting for takedowns.
Prediction: Johnson by 3rd round TKO
Bisping v Dollaway
The co-main event features perpetual gatekeeper, Michael Bisping, who has alternated wins and losses in his last eight fights.
Against Luke Rockhold last November, Bisping was submitted by guillotine in the second round which once again took him out of title consideration and into a “rebound fight”. Rebound fights are a UFC speciality with name fighters that just aren’t good enough to compete for titles anymore. This fight falls under that category.
CB Dolloway is a UFC veteran currently ranked 11th in the middleweight rankings and that may be a tad generous. Although Dolloway possesses excellent wrestling credentials he has yet to beat a top tier fighter in the UFC, and that is unlikely to change here.
Bisping has excellent cardio and with 63 per cent takedown defence, he is going to be difficult to bring to the mat.
Prediction – Bisping by Decision
