Mixed Martial Arts - MMA

A star studded fight card has landed down under as the UFC prepares for its first event in Sydney, Australia. Headlining UFC 110 is a battle between a legend and rising star. Undefeated Cain Velasquez is climbing the latter in the heavyweight division for his chance at a future title shot. However, a legend of MMA in Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is as hungry as his younger opponent and on the road to becoming a two time UFC champ. Also fighting is the "Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva as he makes his middleweight debut against England's Michael Bisping.

Since joining the UFC in 2008, Cain Velasquez has been rolling through opponents. The American wrestler who rocks a "Brown Pride" tattoo across his chest simply outworked and dominated previous foes. Last summer a bout with Cheick Kongo really underlined what kind of a fighter Cain is. Relentless. Despite nearly being knocked out on separate occasions, Cain still managed to dominate Kongo to win an unanimous decision. Velasquez wins fights because he doesn't give opponents a chance to breathe. In the uneasy task of defeating Nogueira, more will be needed than constant pressure to crumple the submission guru, however, it will be essential in his success.

With experience and a well rounded arsenal on his side Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira's career in mixed martial arts is far from finished. At UFC 102, Nogueira picked up a milestone victory when he dominated Randy Couture winning by decision. Many fans, fighters and journalists assumed Nogueira's career was on a rapid decline but he proved the naysayers wrong. Rodrigo brings better boxing and ground submission skills to the Octagon in the bout with Velasquez. The fight going to the ground will by far be the most interesting part of this heavyweight collision. Great in-your-face wrestling vs. flawless Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

The Split-Decision: Noguiera has fought fighters like Cain before, the question is, has Cain fought a fighter like Nogueira? The answer is no. Velasquez is definitely a huge threat in the UFC heavyweight division and if he does win it will be a hard fought decision. Right now Nogueira's ground is just a step above Cain and he won't be able to control Nog like he did against Kongo and Ben Rothwell. Antonio will give Cain fits on the ground and counter him constantly. My pick is Nogueira by unanimous decision.

Tags: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira \ Cain Velasquez \ Michael Bisping \ Minotoro \ MMA \ UFC 110 \ Wanderlei Silva

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