Lightweight bout: Tyson Griffin vs. Takanori Gomi
Odds: (-275 Griffin /+215 Gomi )
In what promises to be a very competitive lightweight bout, former PRIDE champion Takanori Gomi will look to rebound from a one-sided loss to Kenny Florian against tough wrestler Tyson Griffin, who is also coming off a disappointing loss against Evan Dunham. This is an interesting fight, both because it is a style clash and because it is a must-win for both men if they want to stay relevant in the upper part of the Lightweight division.
Gomi, one of the most popular and exciting fighters from PRIDE’s heyday, became a mega star with his aggressive style and extremely effective standup. He had great movement, handspeed, and power, although he did tend to get a little sloppy with his technique. Since his prime, though, Gomi has clearly lost a step, and no longer has the accuracy and power he did when he was at his best. More problematic, though, is the fact that Gomi’s weakness has always been fighters who are able to take him down and impose their will on him, and Griffin fits that bill. Gomi, even having lost a step, is still easily the superior striker, but he is going to have to keep this fight standing up if he wants to capture his first UFC win.
Stylistically, Griffin matches up very well with Gomi. He will not be able to box with him for long, due to his lack of solid technique and his short reach, but he is more than equipped to take Gomi down and control this fight, which is what he needs to do to win. Griffin has a very active and dynamic ground game, and the only opponents he has ever had trouble with are guys he either can’t get down or can’t control on the ground. In all likelihood, Gomi is not going to be able to thwart Griffin’s wrestling, so as long as Griffin comes in with a smart game plan he has a great chance of reasserting himself as a contender here.
It is kind of unfortunate that Gomi took so long to land in the UFC. At his physical prime, he had the tools to make this interesting with his power punching, but he just doesn’t have enough left in his tank to threaten Griffin off his takedown attempts. Griffin will take down Gomi repeatedly, at will, and control top position for an easy unanimous decision win.
Prediction: Tyson Griffin via unanimous decision.
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