If you’ve ever watched mixed martial arts in a large group setting, you’ve probably heard the musings of any number of armchair “experts.”
That type of hindsight will always exist, not just in MMA, but in sports in general. However, while virtually no respected analyst was willing to stake his or her reputation on Holm last November, one could have at least been prepared for all possible outcomes by observing Holm and Rousey in action. After all, the most logical path to becoming an armchair expert is pretty simple: watching fights.
Of course, not everyone has the time and resources to devote hours to watching UFC bouts, entertaining a pursuit as that may be. But don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place if you need a few tips for the main and co-main event bouts at UFC 200, which is shaping up as the promotion’s biggest card of all time.
Correctly predict the winner, the method of victory (submission, knockout, decision) and the round for the two headlining contests, and you could win a VIP experience for yourself and a guest at a UFC event in Las Vegas sometime in 2016/17. And even if you don’t come out on top, there are runner-up prizes from Reebok and EA Sports to be had for randomly selected entrants -- so it pays to participate, regardless of your level of expertise.
In the co-main event, World Wrestling Entertainment star and former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar returns after nearly a five-year retirement to face hard-hitting fan favorite Mark Hunt. Lesnar’s exit from the UFC was forced because of a life-threatening intestinal disease. Now he says he’s completely healthy, so it should be interesting to see how he looks after a long hiatus.
At his peak, Lesnar was a physical freak who used his size, athleticism and wrestling to overwhelm opponents. Nearing 39 years of age, it’s possible that some of those attributes have diminished, but anyone who has seen Lesnar knows that he is still an imposing specimen.
If he can get Hunt to the ground to assert his will, the odds will be in Lesnar’s favor. That is easier said than done, because Hunt is one of the most dangerous strikers in the UFC. He is patient, powerful and crafty and is quite capable of setting a trap for Lesnar and then punishing him with a well-timed counter. It’s also worth noting that Lesnar did not respond well to being hit during his first go-round in the Octagon.
Hunt is a slight favorite for a reason. He hits hard, has more experience and is more likely to survive adversity. At some point in a three-round fight, it’s not hard to envision the “Super Samoan” landing the knockout blow on Lesnar. If he wants to make it a triumphant return, Lesnar will have to rely on his wrestling from the beginning.
Think you’re an ‘Armchair Expert’? Watch UFC #200 on July 9th (July 10 in Australia) and give us your predictions of the fights and and "call it" here: www.ufcarmchairexpert.com.au/entry/. You can also end up on the Bruce Buffer podcast to talk about it.