UFC 105 Preview: The Main Card
Swick vs. Hardy
Nov 11, 2009
Mike Swick vs.
Dan
Hardy
The Breakdown: In a title eliminator with a shot at welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre as the somewhat-masochistic prize, Swick and Hardy have distinguished themselves in a division rapidly running out of contenders. The style clash between them depends largely on how Swick approaches Hardy, who has proven lethal as a striker but lacks the same mystique on the mat.
While most of Swick’s success has come as a striker, he has shown
the intelligence to throw changeups at the opposition. Remember
when he adopted a wrestling-centric approach against Marcus Davis
at UFC 85? That versatility and Swick’s willingness to use it will
play heavily into just how much of Hardy’s vaunted striking the
sure-to-be rabid locals will get to see.
The X-Factor: There will not be much Hardy can do if Swick starts shooting for his legs, but the mohawked Brit has shown himself to be a gifted counterpuncher, and Swick has the habit of getting wide with his fists. Both bode well for Hardy, who needs to use his jab and force Swick to set up his takedowns with punches.
Those punches will give Hardy the time he needs to measure his counters and perhaps force Swick into exchanges for which he is not prepared. Hardy has the equal measures of patience and aggression necessary to make the strategy work; it boils down to staying focused in between takedowns.
* * *
The Bottom Line: It will not be pretty, but Swick will take an uneventful decision fueled by savvy strategy and tactical ground-and-pound. Prepare to keep your sound system on low because the chorus of boos will be loud enough to shatter glass.
The Breakdown: In a title eliminator with a shot at welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre as the somewhat-masochistic prize, Swick and Hardy have distinguished themselves in a division rapidly running out of contenders. The style clash between them depends largely on how Swick approaches Hardy, who has proven lethal as a striker but lacks the same mystique on the mat.
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The X-Factor: There will not be much Hardy can do if Swick starts shooting for his legs, but the mohawked Brit has shown himself to be a gifted counterpuncher, and Swick has the habit of getting wide with his fists. Both bode well for Hardy, who needs to use his jab and force Swick to set up his takedowns with punches.
Those punches will give Hardy the time he needs to measure his counters and perhaps force Swick into exchanges for which he is not prepared. Hardy has the equal measures of patience and aggression necessary to make the strategy work; it boils down to staying focused in between takedowns.
The Bottom Line: It will not be pretty, but Swick will take an uneventful decision fueled by savvy strategy and tactical ground-and-pound. Prepare to keep your sound system on low because the chorus of boos will be loud enough to shatter glass.
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