155 lbs: Joe Stevenson vs. Spencer Fisher
Odds: (-260 Stevenson / +200 Fisher) at Sportsbook.com
In the first of two Lightweight matchups, two skilled veterans will collide in Joe “Daddy” Stevenson and Spencer “The King” Fisher. Both men have been around the block a time or two, and in the crowded 155 pound division, every fight is of vital importance.
Spencer Fisher, a long-time MMA veteran from the glory days of Miletich Fighting Systems, is a lot better-rounded than some of his other Miletich teammates. Coming from a camp most well-known for dominant wrestlers, Fisher is an anomaly in that he has a fairly dangerous striking attack in addition to a solid submission game. While he is one of the best-rounded and experienced Lightweights on the UFC roster, he has never been able to put enough wins together in a row to make a serious run at the title. Now, with so many promising up and comers in the Lightweight division, Fisher may be looking at his last chance to put together a title run, so this is one of the most important matchups of his career.
Joe Stevenson, unlike Fisher, did put together a title run for himself, but it ended disastrously. He was bloodied up and destroyed by B.J. Penn, and then dropped 2 of his next 4 to top contenders Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez. As he proved against Gleison Tibau and Nate Diaz, though, Stevenson’s potent blend of takedowns, top control, and submissions are still dangerous against anyone. His standup is extremely sub par, but he is powerful enough and skilled enough that he can usually impose his will on opponents and control fights with smothering top control top-notch submissions.
The most important factor in this fight is going to be Fisher’s takedown defense. If he can stuff Stevenson’s takedowns, he will easily pick Joe “Daddy” apart on the feet. That said, stuffing Stevenson’s takedowns is a lot easier said than done. In addition to powerful shots, Stevenson has the ability to grapple Fisher down from the clinch as well, which is going to force “The King” into being a bit more conservative in the standup game to keep Stevenson at bay. Ultimately, I think Stevenson’s wrestling will prove to be too much, and he will control this fight mostly inside Fisher’s guard on the ground.
Fight Prediction: Stevenson by unanimous decision.
