UFC 96 Breakdown: The Undercard

Tamdan McCrory vs. Ryan Madigan

Tamdan “The Barn Cat” McCrory Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 6’4/170 lbs.
Age: 22
Hometown: Ithaca, N.Y.
Fighting out of: Binghamton, N.Y.
Team: CNY MMA
Record: 10-2

The breakdown: You can’t teach genetics, and McCrory’s rare combination of reach and power is something he needs to use against Madigan, who won’t make for a willing sparring partner. To that end, McCrory has to pump his jab and establish his range before Madigan starts chasing the takedown. By keeping Madigan at bay, McCrory can pick him apart from afar and turn this fight into a kickboxing seminar.

The X factor: When McCrory hurts his opponents, he often gets wild in search of the finish, and that leaves him open to takedowns. Rangy fighters succeed by staying calm and measured, and that’s a lesson McCrory needs to learn before he ends up on the ever-expanding UFC scrap heap.

Ryan “The Lion” Madigan Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 6’0/170 lbs.
Age: 31
Hometown: Orrville, Ohio
Fighting out of: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Team: Jungle Fight Team
Record: 5-0

The breakdown: Despite a solid kickboxing background, Madigan should recognize that he only needs to stand with McCrory long enough to set him up for a takedown. Taking advantage of McCrory’s often reckless aggression is the best way to beat him, and while getting into a clinch battle with the lanky New Yorker is a losing proposition, Madigan could easily shoot in on the toothpicks that hold McCrory upright. From there, a disciplined ground-and-pound strategy should be enough to frustrate McCrory’s attempts at jiu-jitsu.

The X factor: A striker by trade, Madigan’s inexperience may lead him to believe he can and should engage McCrory in a striker’s showdown. For his own sake, Madigan should brush up on his Shakespeare and remember the bit about discretion being the better part of valor.

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The bottom line: Even if Madigan comes out cautious on the feet, he still has to find a way around McCrory’s Dhalsim-level reach. Figuring out that puzzle won’t be easy, as McCrory rains down punishment on the inexperienced Madigan; it will turn impossible once McCrory hits his rhythm. Count on McCrory impressively dismantling the undefeated prospect.