Leonard Garcia (left) owns a solid chin. | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
Featherweights
Leonard Garcia vs. Chan Sung Jung
Jung -- a replacement for Nam Phan, who lost a controversial decision to Garcia in their first bout -- relocated to train with Urijah Faber and Team Alpha Male for a month, which can only help his overall game. The key question is whether he decides to stand and bomb with the lively Garcia or force a ground fight in which he can win rounds and a decision.
Garcia has made a name for himself in epic wars, despite often losing his technique and heaving wild shots at times when straight ones would be more effective. He fights on heart and pluck, with great conditioning, to boot. There is also the accompanying perception that he has gotten decisions he did not deserve; the win over Phan at “The Ultimate Fighter 12” Finale in December unleashed serious controversy among fans, and his nod on the judges’ cards in the first Jung bout was a close one, as well.
Look for a good back-and-forth fight, but it remains to be seen whether or not Garcia can be controlled on the ground here; he is pretty tough to keep down at featherweight. Jung has an exciting style, and he is too much of a brawler to change it. He cannot help but fire back when he gets tagged.
The Pick: Garcia by close decision -- again.