UFC 98 Preview: The Prelims

Pat Barry vs. Tim Hague

The Breakdown: Looking up and down the UFC heavyweight division, you see an assembly of titanic, youthful talent that looks every bit the part of a promising future. Then you have Barry, a quicksilver kickboxer who stands all of 5-foot-11 but kicks like a mule and punches like a mule too (a mule that has fists and can punch really hard). It’s a terrifying mutation and one UFC newcomer Tim Hague will have to overcome with equal parts grit and brutishness. Many have fallen on their sword for such a strategy, but it’s the only one Hague has in his playbook.

The X Factor: Like any undersized heavyweight, Barry will eventually run into a size disadvantage that he can’t make up with pure skill and talent. Considering Barry will give up nearly half a foot in height and at least 30 pounds in weight, he’ll have plenty to overcome against Hague. If finding his range and taking Hague’s return fire proves too much, Barry’s unlikely climb up the ranks may come to an early end.

The Bottom Line: So Barry is the heavyweight division’s resident Steve Buscemi -- tiny but talented. That doesn’t mean he can’t take out a one-note brawler like Hague, who will be hobbling around the second Barry lands a leg kick. Once leg kick number two and three find their mark, set the timer because it won’t be long before Hague recreates the closing moments of Severn/Rizzo from UFC 27.