UFC 191 preview and predictions
UFC 191 will be a firecracker of an eventUFC 191 takes place this Sunday. The main event is a flyweight championship bout between long time champion Demetrious Johnson and his most high profile competitor, John Dodson.The co-main event features a highly anticipated heavyweight fight between two legends, Frank Mir and Andrei Arlovski. Mir is experiencing a career renaissance while Arlovski is on the cusp of a title shot.Rising strawweight star Paige VanZant also has a fight against Alex Chambers. Anthony Johnson will look to put his recent troubles behind him as he takes on Jimi Manuwa and Jan Blachowicz will face off against Corey Anderson to round off a stacked card. This promises to be an exciting fight with tonnes of heart stopping action.
#1 Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson
DJ is a bit of a paradox. On one hand, he is the UFC’s least popular champion. Low attendance figures and PPV buy rates normally accompany his name at the head of a card. On the other hand, he is arguably the best fighter in the world.
Much like Jose Aldo needed Conor McGregor to elevate him in the eyes of the casual fan, DJ needs an adversary to help his stock rise. The UFC hopes that John Dodson is that man. Unlike the quite, down to earth champion, John Dodson is a flamboyant trash talker who isn’t afraid to run his mouth. He hasn’t been holding back in the lead up to the fight, constantly saying he’s going to kill DJ.
Dodson is an explosive striker, capable of devastating knockouts. Dodson made his UFC debut by beating current bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw at the finale of TUF 14. Since then, his only defeat in the UFC has been against Demetrious Johnson some 2 and a half years ago. Dodson will have to be ready to defend takedowns and scramble as often as required to prevent DJ from getting the dominant position in the fight. Keeping the fight standing and forcing DJ to exchange with him is his best bet to win this fight.
The champion, on the other hand, will want this fight to go anywhere but on the feet. There is no question that Dodson packs a meaner punch and DJ would be foolish to stand toe to toe with him. However, DJ is probably the most well-rounded fighter in the UFC. He has outwrestled all of his previous opponents and will be confident of putting on a similar show against Dodson. It is perhaps the lack of excitement in his fights that makes
DJ so unpopular but any true fan of MMA appreciates just how great he is. After all, a lot of people thought Royce Gracie was boring back in the nineties. The greatness of Johnson will perhaps only be truly recognised once he has retired.
Prediction: - Demetrious Johnson via Unanimous Decision