UFC 90 Breakdown: The Undercard

Spencer Fisher vs. Shannon Gugerty

Fisher Scouting Report
Height/Weight: 5’7/155 lbs.
Age: 32
Hometown: Cashiers, N.C.
Fighting out of: Bettendorf, Iowa
Record: 21-4

The stakes: A lightweight engine of quality fistic entertainment, Fisher has spent most of his UFC run on the cusp of making a title run, only to lose at the worst moment possible. After a loss to Sam Stout cost him a number one contender’s match and a defeat to Hermes Franca cost him a shot at the lightweight belt, Fisher looked like he had a certifiable case of Dan Marino syndrome.

If Fisher’s ever going to ditch the bridesmaid routine, he’ll have to start by taking out his frustration on Gugerty. That, or Fisher will keep building his credentials for the Coulda Woulda Shoulda Hall of Fame.

The breakdown: An aggressive, versatile striker with surprising submission skills to round out his repertoire, Fisher’s real issue comes on defense.

Often the victim of a top control specialist or his own brazen aggression, Fisher has yet to find the balance his style needs to ensure a successful run through the myriad of contenders populating the lightweight division. Given Gugerty’s reliance on the ground game, Fisher needs to force his opponent to come forward and make him pay every time he closes the pocket. Since Fisher lacks a lengthy reach, his best approach would be to move in and out with combinations while mixing in some clinch work anytime Gugerty grabs hold of him.

Gugerty Scouting Report
Height/Weight: 5’10/155 lbs.
Age: 26
Hometown: San Diego, Calif.
Fighting out of: San Diego, Calif.
Record: 11-2

The stakes: A late replacement for MMA’s premier felonious fighter, Melvin Guillard, Gugerty steps in with a chance to cement his UFC credentials.

Gugerty’s in a shark tank division where wins are more valuable than cigarettes in D-block and losses will get you a bus ticket to some secluded show run by the ubiquitous Uncle Jim.

The breakdown: First things first. Unless Gugerty knows a quality maxillofacial surgeon, he’d be well advised to avoid any exchanges with Fisher. The strategy for Gugerty has to focus on getting this bout to the ground by any means necessary.

From there, Gugerty has to advance position quickly and corral Fisher, who has an active guard but wilts once opponents get past it. Considering Gugerty lacks all-universe takedowns, he has to be willing to work actively for a submission, as he cannot bank on surviving 15 minutes with Fisher.


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The bottom line: “The King” is too active a striker to allow Gugerty to score takedown after takedown without proper retribution.

Everyone has seen Fisher get wrestled to the mat, but he remains dangerous from bell to bell, and Gugerty does not possess the skills to keep him at bay all night.