Preview: UFC on Fox 26 ‘Lawler vs. dos Anjos’

Welterweight

Jordan Mein (30-12) vs. Erick Silva (19-8)

ODDS: Mein (-135), Silva (+115)

ANALYSIS:: This is a fight that tugs at your heart strings as a fight fan, because this bout seems like a referendum on two fighters in waning stages of their careers. However, Mein is only 28 years old and Silva just 33. In fact, this will be Mein’s third fight back since his first MMA retirement, a classic rite of passage. Silva has an inch of reach on Mein, but that is about it. They have similar frames and fight at similar range, though the Canadian is by far the busier of the two fighters. In fact, despite Silva being remembered at his best as a violent, offensive whirlwind, “The Tiger” only lands 2.77 significant strikes per minute. Even if Silva has more power in his counter hooks and body kicks, Mein is the steadier jabber and kicker when preserving range, and he is more inclined to attack or counter. Silva’s best traits are actually as a scrambling grappler, and it comes as little surprise that in his seven UFC wins -- all of them stoppages -- five have come by way of submission. Silva is the more explosive of the two, yet Mein is likely the better wrestler, as the Albertan had early success against both Emil Weber Meek and Belal Muhammad in the grappling department. Worse, Silva is getting knocked out with increasing frequency and hitting the deck even in fights he wins, as in the Luan Chagas contest -- a bout in which he was nearly knocked out after dominating the first round. Mein’s flaws are the lesser evils here. Silva’s fitness and chin are major liabilities, and one fighter is infinitely more active. Mein breaks his three-fight losing skid on points, but Silva imploding is always a distinct possibility.

Welterweight

Danny Roberts (14-2) vs. Nordine Taleb (13-4)

ODDS: Taleb (-150), Roberts (+130)

ANALYSIS:: A battle of Henri Hooft and Firas Zahabi turned Duke Roufus charges opens the show at 170 pounds. Roberts and Taleb are 6-foot-1 welterweights with real size and length, in addition to the physical bulk and strength Taleb possesses. Taleb is a conservative stalker, attacking with thudding jabs and low kicks, seldom launching too many combination attacks behind those weapons. The southpaw Roberts is the fancier boxer, popping off his jab more rapidly, throwing his own kicks in more rapid succession and then segueing into a more diverse legs-body-head attack. Despite Roberts earning a second-round knockout in his last outing in July against Bobby Nash, the bout was a reminder of how haphazard the Brit’s wrestling game can be and how susceptible he is to simple takedowns, even though he is quick to scramble back to his feet. Taleb often tackles his foes to the mat and is able to use his size and strong base to grind away on top, but like his standup, his top position attack is powerful but seldom active and threatening. This bout seems bound for a close decision, but I feel better with judges rewarding the more active party in Roberts, whose jab and kicking game should prove more consistent, voluminous and effective. Even so, he will have to avoid Taleb’s slugging counters and occasional wrestling phases. “Hot Chocolate” via lukewarm decision is the pick.