Will Rousey (pictured) keep her title against the formidable Liz Carmouche?
Saturday will feature the first female match in UFC history, as Ronda Rousey, who is considered by most to be the best female fighter alive, looks to defend her Bantamweight title against Liz Carmouche.
This is a major step for women in MMA as Dana White had long held that he would not bring women into the organization, but has relented as the female fight game has gained popularity. By gaining access to the UFC–and fighting in the Main Event no less– the female fight game has officially put a flag in the ground that it will be making noise in the Octagon for quite some time.
The co-Main Event features former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Lyoto Machida, taking on former Pride Light Heavyweight and Middleweight Champion, Dan Henderson, in a contest that could determine the new number one contender for the Light Heavyweight title.
Henderson is looking to solidify the top contender spot.
Both of these men have a lot on the line, as Dan Henderson had to remove himself late from a title fight against Jon Jones due to injury, and Lyoto Machida declined to step in for Henderson citing a lack of time.
In the end, no replacement could be found for Henderson and the UFC was forced to cancel an event for the first time in the history of the organization. White was not happy about having to cancel this event and held both men partially responsible, so a loss could seriously derail the loser’s chances of every getting a title shot again. With two great fighters and so much on the line, this should be a great fight.
*Note: I will not be breaking down the Rousey-Carmouche Main Event because I have not seen either woman fight, and do not want to speak on fighters I am not educated on. This in no way reflects any opinion–derisive or otherwise–about women in MMA.
Lyoto Machida vs. Dan Henderson – Keys to the Fight
Lyoto Machida (18-3-0)
Dan Henderson (29-8-0)
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Overview
Machida has a huge edge with his speed, quickness and movement that Henderson will have to overcome. Henderson’s Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling background should be his big edge in this fight, however, he has not used his wrestling at all since losing to Anderson Silva in March 2008. Henderson’s lack of diversity will hurt him in this one, but that chin of his won’t let him get finished.
Here, a few more key factors:
- Power vs. Speed: Henderson has won 13 fights by KO and many of them have been of the highlight variety as he packs a lot of pop in his right hand. Machida has finished eight of his fights by KO/TKO, but has done it with his movement and constant punishment more so than his one-strike power. If Machida can jump in and out of Henderson’s range and avoid that big right hand he will have a successful night. If Machida can’t avoid that right hand, he might find himself lying face up on the canvas, with his eyes closed and seeing Henderson’s hand getting raised.
- Patience: Both fighters are counter-punchers, which could lead to long stretches of inaction, but will also make each fighter’s strategy interesting. How long is each willing to wait for the other to make the first move? Henderson can mix in his wrestling to apply pressure, but has not used it in his recent fights and most likely would not do so here either. The fighter who can ignore the boos and remain patient will have a huge edge in this fight as he maintains a game plan he has always used while the aggressor is stepping into a whole new realm.
- Stamina: If Henderson is not able to finish Machida early, this will become a huge factor in the fight. Henderson is 42-years old and has struggled in the later rounds in his fights that have made it that far. Henderson also has not fought competitively in almost 15 months, which could play a big role in how much gas he has left in the tank in the later rounds. Machida, on the other hand, has proven to wear down his opponents both mentally and physically in fights with his constant movement which is shown in his 10-1 record when the fight goes to the judges score cards.
Prediction
Machida has a huge edge with his speed, quickness and movement that Henderson will have to overcome. Henderson’s Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling background should be his big edge in this fight, however, he has not used his wrestling at all since losing to Anderson Silva in March 2008. Henderson’s lack of diversity will hurt him in this one, but that chin of his won’t let him get finished.
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