UFC Lightweight Fight Heavy on Implications
Florian vs. Thomas
As part of the UFC's ongoing campaign to overload the senses of
every mixed martial arts fan with access to cable TV, we get
another exciting fight card Wednesday filled with the usual
assortment of colorful characters.
This time around we'll see the pride of Stockton, Calif., hand out ghetto-etiquette lessons, the first documented return from human spontaneous combustion, and a headlining bout that will decide who has the most boring nickname in the sport.
So stick around and learn about the benefits of urine therapy and the American judicial system, along with some MMA analysis mixed in for all you people who love sending the hate mail my way.
Kenny Florian (Pictures) vs. Din Thomas (Pictures)
In a main event with major implications for the nascent UFC lightweight class, Kenny "KenFlo" Florian will face one of his toughest challenges yet against American Top Team stalwart Din Thomas (Pictures).
Much like his opponent, Thomas used his time on "The Ultimate Fighter" to launch himself back into the fray. He has been a favorite of the sport's hardcore fan base for some time and originally made a name for himself competing in Shooto.
Originally in search of a rematch with then lightweight champion Jens Pulver (Pictures), Thomas stumbled by losing his UFC debut against B.J. Penn (Pictures) and never regained his footing in the division. It appeared as if he had seen his best days. He struggled outside the UFC, too, but a last chance to re-establish himself was afforded by the comeback-themed fourth season of "The Ultimate Fighter."
Although he came up short as a welterweight in the Dana White sweepstakes, Thomas has since risen from the Lazarus pit and finds himself closer than ever to the greatness that has eluded him.
Spencer Fisher (Pictures) was set to take on MMA's Ra's al Ghul, but an Ebola-level outbreak of staph in the Miletich gym has left the task to Kenny Florian (Pictures). The lightweight from Boston is no standard-issue replacement. Indeed, Florian's only loss at 155 came against limbo's newest visitor, Sean Sherk (Pictures).
Defeat served only to inspire Florian. In his next two bouts, he showed vastly improved striking against Shooto veteran Dokonjonosuke Mishima (Pictures) and a surprising arsenal of takedowns against Alvin Robinson (Pictures). With all the pieces of the puzzle seemingly in place, the time is now for Florian to graduate from prospect to contender.
Against the far more experienced Thomas, he must not afford his quarry the luxury of flicking his lengthy jab and racking up an insurmountable lead on the scorecards. Florian would be best served to cut off the octagon and negate Thomas' slick boxing and reach either in the clinch or, ideally, on the ground.
Thomas is known for his boxing ability more than anything else, but he showed an impressive sprawl against Clay Guida (Pictures) and a far more aggressive grappling style against Jeremy Stephens (Pictures). Regardless, Florian must find a way to get Thomas out of his comfort zone. Given Florian's ever-improving Muay Thai and wrestling, the clinch is the place to do it.
From outside the pocket, this match remains Thomas' to lose. Yet Florian's cerebral approach to MMA means that this fight will come down to who can impose his will from inside the clinch.
Not too long ago, the obvious favorite would have been Thomas. After seeing Florian's impressive takedowns against the physically imposing Alvin Robinson (Pictures), however, little about this fight remains obvious.
Expect a pitched battle that features exchanges on the feet and on the ground. Florian takes control of the bout late in the third round, though, and scores a TKO stoppage after a hail of mounted elbows.
Here's hoping Florian remembers to open the can of Xyience before sipping from it.
This time around we'll see the pride of Stockton, Calif., hand out ghetto-etiquette lessons, the first documented return from human spontaneous combustion, and a headlining bout that will decide who has the most boring nickname in the sport.
So stick around and learn about the benefits of urine therapy and the American judicial system, along with some MMA analysis mixed in for all you people who love sending the hate mail my way.
Kenny Florian (Pictures) vs. Din Thomas (Pictures)
In a main event with major implications for the nascent UFC lightweight class, Kenny "KenFlo" Florian will face one of his toughest challenges yet against American Top Team stalwart Din Thomas (Pictures).
Much like his opponent, Thomas used his time on "The Ultimate Fighter" to launch himself back into the fray. He has been a favorite of the sport's hardcore fan base for some time and originally made a name for himself competing in Shooto.
Originally in search of a rematch with then lightweight champion Jens Pulver (Pictures), Thomas stumbled by losing his UFC debut against B.J. Penn (Pictures) and never regained his footing in the division. It appeared as if he had seen his best days. He struggled outside the UFC, too, but a last chance to re-establish himself was afforded by the comeback-themed fourth season of "The Ultimate Fighter."
Although he came up short as a welterweight in the Dana White sweepstakes, Thomas has since risen from the Lazarus pit and finds himself closer than ever to the greatness that has eluded him.
Spencer Fisher (Pictures) was set to take on MMA's Ra's al Ghul, but an Ebola-level outbreak of staph in the Miletich gym has left the task to Kenny Florian (Pictures). The lightweight from Boston is no standard-issue replacement. Indeed, Florian's only loss at 155 came against limbo's newest visitor, Sean Sherk (Pictures).
Defeat served only to inspire Florian. In his next two bouts, he showed vastly improved striking against Shooto veteran Dokonjonosuke Mishima (Pictures) and a surprising arsenal of takedowns against Alvin Robinson (Pictures). With all the pieces of the puzzle seemingly in place, the time is now for Florian to graduate from prospect to contender.
Against the far more experienced Thomas, he must not afford his quarry the luxury of flicking his lengthy jab and racking up an insurmountable lead on the scorecards. Florian would be best served to cut off the octagon and negate Thomas' slick boxing and reach either in the clinch or, ideally, on the ground.
Thomas is known for his boxing ability more than anything else, but he showed an impressive sprawl against Clay Guida (Pictures) and a far more aggressive grappling style against Jeremy Stephens (Pictures). Regardless, Florian must find a way to get Thomas out of his comfort zone. Given Florian's ever-improving Muay Thai and wrestling, the clinch is the place to do it.
From outside the pocket, this match remains Thomas' to lose. Yet Florian's cerebral approach to MMA means that this fight will come down to who can impose his will from inside the clinch.
Not too long ago, the obvious favorite would have been Thomas. After seeing Florian's impressive takedowns against the physically imposing Alvin Robinson (Pictures), however, little about this fight remains obvious.
Expect a pitched battle that features exchanges on the feet and on the ground. Florian takes control of the bout late in the third round, though, and scores a TKO stoppage after a hail of mounted elbows.
Here's hoping Florian remembers to open the can of Xyience before sipping from it.
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