UFC 188: Velasquez vs Werdum - Preview and Predictions
UFC 188 has the makings of a solid card with a number of interesting style match-ups in the offing. The build-up to UFC 189, featuring the box-office sensation Connor McGregor and a champion who can legitimately be considered one of the greatest of all time,Jose Aldo, has easily overshadowed what is a UFC Undisputed Heavyweight Title unification title bout between Cain Velasquez and interim champion Fabricio Werdum, but expect entertaining fights in this card nonetheless.
Velasquez heads into the event at Mexico City after an injury lay-off almost spanning two years with Werdum, on the other hand, riding high on confidence after a five-match win streak in his UFC second coming.
Other match-ups include a women’s strawweight bout between highly rated Tecia Torres and #15 ranked Angela Hill, both of whom competed in The Ultimate Fighter show last year, and a showdown between Season 17’s winner, Kevin Gastellum and Nate Marquardt.
TUF Latin America’s victor Yair Rodriguez faces Charles Rosa of the USA and the war-prone Gilbert Melendez attempts to prove his standing in the UFC when he takes on Eddie Alvarez.
All in all, the UFC 188 main card promises engaging encounters that MMA fans should not miss, and will air on Sony Six HD at 7.30 am IST on Sunday, June 14th.
Tecia “The Tiny Tornado” Torres (5-0-0) vs Angela “Overkill” Hill (2-0-0)
A women’s strawweight bout sees the highly rated Tecia Torres square off against Angela Hill, in a match that should be straight-forward by all accounts. Look for both fighters to stand up and trade shots, with the technically superior Tecia Torres going for the takedown when opportunity presents itself. Angela Hill is known for her reach and stand-up ability, but really needs to ensure that she presents unbreachable takedown defence.
Watch for Angela Hill to try and maintain distance with her reach advantage and Tecia Torres to fight on the inside when possible. Unless Torres rushes into Hill’s strikes, expect the highly rated Torres to dominate the fight and score the victory eventually. If there was a time to display dimensionality in her fighting technique, it would be now for Angela Hill. She could make a strong statement if she manages to pick off Tecia Torres.