UFC 106 Preview: The Main Card

Josh Koscheck vs. Anthony Johnson

The Breakdown: Proof that difficult circumstances can make for appealing matchmaking, Koscheck and Johnson were hastily thrown together thanks to the injuries and reshuffling that have plagued this card. As for the fight itself, the most interesting aspect is whether or not Koscheck will have the good sense to use his all-universe wrestling for a change.

The double-leg shooting machine of yesteryear seems gone, however, replaced by a fighter who relies more on preternatural punching power that disguises fundamentals better suited to the world of slap boxing. Johnson may be no Sugar Ray Robinson, but he hits just as hard as Koscheck and flat-out dwarfs him, as he does practically the entire division.

Of particular concern is the reach disparity, considering Koscheck does his best work from up close, where his winging overhand right turns into a battle axe he can use to bludgeon opponents. Getting inside on Johnson will be the challenge of Koscheck’s career, one that will involve stepping right into the ginormous Georgian’s wheelhouse. This sport is dangerous enough as it is, and Koscheck will be making a fatal mistake if he thinks it a good idea to brawl with a guy nicknamed “Rumble.”

The X-Factor: This becomes a completely different fight if Koscheck shoots in on Johnson, who has not shown much of anything on the mats thus far. Koscheck has the wrestling to ground-and-pound anyone not named Georges St. Pierre, which makes his recent love affair with striking all the more puzzling.

For his own sake, let us hope Koscheck’s trainers have him locked in a room watching his knockout loss to Paulo Thiago on a permanent loop while Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony plays in the background. At this point, the Ludovico technique may be the only hope Koscheck has of coming to his senses.

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The Bottom Line: This will not be pretty for Koscheck, as his guns blazing approach runs face-first into the nuclear warheads Johnson keeps in his gloves. There should be a minute or two of entertaining violence before Johnson lands something of the fight-ending variety and picks up the “Knockout of the Night,” provided there are no more weight-cutting follies for him. Consider it more proof that trainers need to start looking to 20th century English authors for new ideas.