UFC Fight Night 29 Preview

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Light Heavyweights

Fabio Maldonado (19-6, 2-3 UFC) vs. Joey Beltran (14-8, 3-5 UFC)

The Matchup: Certain fights are made with entertainment in mind, and Maldonado-Beltran fits that bill. Both men are willing to eat a few shots in order to dole out some punishment in return, making this a potential “Fight of the Night” candidate.

Beltran returns from a nine-month suspension due to a positive test for nandrolone following his UFC on FX 6 showdown with Igor Pokrajac. The failed drug screen negated “The Mexicutioner’s” first 205-pound win in the Octagon, but much of the strategy Beltran employed in that bout could benefit him against Maldonado, who ended a three-fight skid by outpointing Roger Hollett at UFC on FX 8. Beltran controlled Pokrajac in the clinch, pushing around his Croatian opponent while landing punches and knees. While Maldonado, a former professional boxer, has skilled hands, he is vulnerable in the clinch, as Pokrajac proved in their May 2012 meeting.

With that said, Maldonado will have plenty of opportunity to do damage: Beltran is prone to throwing wild punches as he attempts to close the distance, leaving himself open to counters. Beltran needs to tie up Maldonado as soon as possible, because the Brazilian is an accomplished combination puncher who works the body as well as anyone in the division. Beltran’s ability to control his foe with underhooks and protect himself when the two combatants break away will be critical.

If Beltran is forced to do anything other than dirty box, he will likely be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of Maldonado’s attacks. Though the Californian rarely pursues the takedown, Maldonado’s poor defensive wrestling could convince him to opt for a few timely level changes.

The Pick: As fun as Maldonado is to watch, many of his most memorable bouts end with him on the losing end. Both men are notoriously durable, so a knockout is unlikely, but Beltran will eventually get the nod due to constant pressure and steady diet of effective clinch work.

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