UFC 111 Preview: The Main Card

Jon Fitch vs. Ben Saunders

The Breakdown: “Brain irregularity” is probably the most terrifying combination of two words in the English language, so it was with good reason that Thiago Alves was a late scratch for his rematch with Fitch. Stepping up to take his place is fellow American Top Team disciple Ben Saunders, who was supposed to fight Jake Ellenberger before he filled the void left by his teammate’s health issues.

Why Saunders would take this fight remains anyone’s guess. He’s still a developing fighter, and a mega-wrestler like Fitch looks like a hemlock for his style. A rangy striker with face-shredding clinch skills, Saunders still has not developed proper takedown defense, and his guard lacks the technical polish to maximize the natural advantages his long limbs give him. Saunders is the superior striker, but Fitch takes a no-nonsense approach into the cage and will not hand Saunders any opportunities on the feet.

There are plenty of good fights in the welterweight division for young fighters. Fitch, however, is not one of them, as his style is built around completely neutralizing his opponent. Considering Saunders’ reliance on working his kicks and knees, he’s going to have to maximize every second he gets on the feet because, odds are, those seconds will be few and far between.

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The Bottom Line: It takes a lot more than kicks and knees to beat Fitch, and that’s a lesson Saunders is going to learn. Three frustrating rounds end with Saunders dropping a unanimous decision and questioning the wisdom behind his bravery.