UFC Welterweight bout: Anthony Johnson vs. Charlie Brenneman
Odds: (- Johnson / Brenneman )
Betting Pick: Johnson
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In a featured Welterweight matchup, up and comer Charlie “The Spaniard” Brenneman will look to keep his winning streak alive against tough, physical wrestler Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. Johnson is a massive physical specimen for the Welterweight division, and has the offensive tools and raw physical strength to be one of the most dominant fighters in the division, but he has shown time and again that once a fight starts to go against him he begins to fall apart, and he is very prone to making big mistakes. If Brenneman wants a win here he is going to have to find a way to weather Johnson’s power and aggression while waiting for a mistake he can capitalize on.
Anthony “Rumble” Johnson is probably better suited to the Middleweight division due to his massive size, and he has had trouble making it down to 170 in the past, but his massive size does give him an advantage against other Welterweights. Johnson is a very heavy-handed boxer with good wrestling who uses his size and strength very well to control his opponents. Johnson’s problem is that if he is losing in any way, be it on the feet or in the wrestling, he tends to fold under pressure. He is so used to using his size to dominate opponents and controlling fights that when the tables get turned he does not react well at all. Johnson will enjoy a size and strength advantage against Brenneman and is also probably a better wrestler and striker as well, he just has to be steady, keep the pressure on, and avoid making any mistakes on the ground that might wind up with him getting submitted.
Charlie “The Spaniard” Brenneman is coming off a huge upset win over tough wrestler Rick “Horror” Story. Brenneman was able to outstrike Story and neutralize his wrestling while earning himself the decision win. If he wants to keep his winning streak alive, he is going to have to do much the same thing to Johnson. Johnson is the bigger and stronger fighter, so Brenneman is going to have to find a way to prevent himself from being put on his back while utilizing his speed advantage on the feet to beat Johnson to the punch and keep himself out of trouble. He has the tools to win this fight, but he is going to need a flawless game plan and perfect execution if he wants to overcome his disadvantages.
I think this is going to be a pretty rough fight for Brenneman. Johnson has weaknesses that can be exploited, but Brenneman is not a particularly overpowering fighter, and he is going to have trouble preventing Johnson from imposing his will and bullying him around. Brenneman will make it a fight, but Johnson should be able to outstrike and outwrestle him en route to a unanimous decision.
Prediction: Anthony Johnson via Unaninmous Decision.
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