Joe “Diesel” Riggs vs. Luke Stewart
In the first of three featured matches, UFC veteran Joe “Diesel” Riggs is scheduled to face relatively unknown challenger Luke Stewart. Despite his lack of fame, though, Stewart is a tough competitor with a versatile skill set who will definitely show up to fight.
Joe Riggs’ career, and his weight, have had more ups and downs than a rollercoaster. Once tipping the scales at over 220 pounds, how Riggs managed to make it all the way down to welterweight and still be in fighting shape is a mystery which modern science may never unravel. Much like his fighting weight, Riggs’ performance has had many peaks and valleys in his long and moderately successful career.
Once a UFC mainstay, Riggs found himself on the outs with the company after coming up short in a title challenge against then-champion Matt Hughes and then being dominated by Ultimate Fighter alums Mike Swick and Diego Sanchez in the first round. Riggs’ hard luck has continued outside the Octagon despite his substantial skill set, with losses in Strikeforce to the relatively unknown Corey Devala and a recent stoppage loss to Japanese megastar Kazuo Misaki. With an equal number of wins (13) coming by KO/TKO and by submission, it is clear that Riggs has the tools necessary to succeed in MMA. His biggest impediment is his cardio, which can be directly attributed to the massive weight cut he makes for his fights.
Riggs’ opponent, Luke Stewart, is relatively unknown to anyone who doesn’t follow the submission grappling scene. His most high profile MMA fight thusfar was a narrow decision loss to long time veteran Tiki Ghosn earlier this year. In the world of competitive grappling, though, Stewart has amassed quite a resume, holding a black belt under top Jiu Jitsu competitor Ralph Gracie and having earned big tournament wins. In the striking department, Stewart will be overmatched by the rough and tumble Riggs, but he should hold a clear advantage in technical prowess on the ground.
Stewart’s gameplan will most likely be to take this fight to the ground, wear out Riggs and exploit his suspect cardio, and then move in for the kill. Considering Riggs’ declining performance over the last couple of years and Stewart’s impeccable grappling pedigree.
Prediction: I see this fight ending in the third round, with Stewart securing a rear naked choke on a worn down “Diesel” in a substantial upset.
