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| Photo taken from the internet. |
This morning’s stare down is good indication on what to
expect come fight night. UFC 193 twin biller will definitely be a slam bang
action packed event. Two titles will be on the line, headed by two champions
who have dominated their divisions thus far. Ronda Rousey will put her women’s
bantamweight belt on the line in the main event against Holly Holm. Joanna Jedrzejcgyk
on the other hand will defend her women’s strawweight belt against Valerie
Letoureau.
Either or both fights may end quickly, however, one cannot
rule out that it could reach past the fourth round – all depends on how
formidable the challengers are once they stepped inside the octagon and the
cage doors are closed.
Here are a few key factors for fight fans while waiting for
the bleachers of Etihad Stadium in Australia erupt when UFC 193 unfolds its
main event.
Holly Holm will be
the first legitimate striker Ronda Rousey has ever faced so far.
Holly’s boxing and kickboxing skills are at an elite level. She
cleared her weight class and has probably won all possible world title/s during
her professional career. She is technical, has good footwork and can manage
angles far better than any of Ronda’s previous opponents. Her punching power
has yet to be seen but her leg kicks have proven to be a potent weapon in her
arsenal. Rousey has vastly improved her boxing through the years under Edmond
Tarverdyan, but it hasn’t really come together in terms of balance,
coordination and execution. She may have knocked out Correa in her last fight however
she ate punches going in and her flurries were a bunch of haymakers.
Ronda Rousey is the
most technical and highest level grappler Holly Holm has ever faced in her
early MMA career.
Ronda is a Judo Olympian. Ronda won the Bronze medal for
team USA in the Athens Olympics. She has trained Judo since she was a kid. This
translated to a lot of hip throw transition to arm bar victories for her since
day one of her MMA career. Dealing with the clinch and avoiding getting thrown
are Holly’s primary defensive concerns because when Ronda closes the gap and
positions her hips next to hers, it’s going to be an early night for everyone. Little
is known of Holm’s ground game. How she will react to being on the bottom,
guard recovery and submission defense will be seen on fight night.
Tactical support from
their corners: Greg Jackson/Mike Winklejohn vs. Edmond Tarverdyan.
Greg Jackson and Mike Wink have been in the business for a
long time. Their expertise, training methods and experience have honed the
skills of world class fighters in various promotions. Edmond Tarverdyan on the
other hand is a boxing coach which landed a world class athlete and holds mitts
for her.
On a personal note, this is probably one of the MMA fights I’d
want to watch live on my television set. Both fighters are at the prime of
their careers. Both are at the elite levels of their strong points. Ronda, for
the first time, will face someone who is not afraid of her. Holly, on the other
hand, will face the best opponent she could ever hope for. It will be
interesting how this fight will go in terms of tempo, momentum shifts and who
will impose their games first.
Ronda will most likely charge center, throw a few punches
then go for an under hook or an over hook on the neck to set up her throws
and/or trips. Once on the ground she will definitely go arm bar hunting. In case
Holly defends and/or escapes the first attempt, she has to defend the chain of
ground attacks leading to an arm bar that Ronda will impose on her.
Holly’s bet would probably be get to center cage, utilize
her jab and mage her distance. As soon as Ronda starts to charge, she can jab
her way out or maintain distance with her push kicks. Her best bet on offense
is her leg kicks to chop down Ronda and then work on punch combinations. Keeping
the fight standing is her key to victory.
Now it’s time wait
for Bruce Buffer to drop the mic and let their fists do the talking.
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