Penn and Stevenson Vie for Vacant Title
Undercard
Jan 17, 2008
If you're going to hold an MMA card in Europe, you better load up
on locals. The UFC is doing just that by featuring a wide array of
Europe's finest on an undercard designed to please anyone who wears
sandals with socks on in public.
First up is a heavyweight showdown between Dutch kickboxer Antoni Hardonk (Pictures) (5-4) and brawling Englishman Colin "Big C" Robinson (9-3). Both men are still trying to find their footing in the UFC thanks to relatively one-dimensional striking styles and mediocre conditioning.
Seeing as how they've been matched with an opponent who will oblige
their desire to have it out on the feet, we can at least be spared
an unsightly ground "battle" between these two.
While Robinson has a fair bit of boxing ability, Hardonk is far more versatile on the feet and should dispatch Robinson early in the first round via knockout. Lord, save us all if these two decide to put on a grappling exhibition.
We all know that any Team Tompkins-trained fighter will be quite the kickboxer and Stout is no exception, but it has become obvious that Mr. Tompkins may want to incorporate some more grappling into the daily regimen.
Typically, Stout manages wins against grappling-minded opponents by surviving just long enough to get back on the feet and score a knockout. In the UFC, such strategies rarely work out for the best, and Eklund won't make the mistake of giving Stout the opportunity to get going on the feet.
Chalk one up for the Swedes as Eklund scores a quick and easy first round strangulation win. Expect the usual "stand and fight" chorus from the Tompkins-manned corner.
No one ever knows quite what to expect from Alessio Sakara (Pictures) (11-6 1 NC), who can go from impressive to inept in the time it takes Hilary Clinton to summon up a few crocodile tears. Bringing out that ineptitude will be the goal for UFC newcomer James Lee (James Lee' class='LinkSilver'>Pictures) (13-2 1 NC).
Stylistically, this is a Bad News Bears matchup for Sakara, who lacks anything resembling takedown defense and has yet to show any acumen on the ground when working off his back.
Although Lee has yet to step up against the same level of competition as Sakara, he does have the wrestling and submission ability to give a one-dimensional striker like Sakara fits. Don't wait for Sakara to show off any hidden jiu-jitsu skills as Lee notches a submission win in his UFC debut.
The closer on this UFC undercard features another newcomer in England's own Paul Kelly (6-0) squaring off against fellow countryman Paul Taylor (Pictures) (8-2-1, 1 NC).
Cultural heritage and sun-deprived skin are just about the only things these two share, however. Taylor is one of the division's more dangerous strikers while Kelly prefers to grind out opponents with ground and pound.
While glossy undefeated records often send tongues wagging, Kelly has yet to face anyone of note and will be hard pressed surviving the standup exchanges that Taylor is so adept at forcing.
Even if Kelly manages a takedown, Taylor is hardly an easy mark and has the tenacity to work his way out of trouble. A spirited first round will give way to a dominant showing in the second by Taylor, who will score a high-kick KO midway through the round.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to start loading up on Guinness to get myself in the right state of mind for this event. You can start sending "Get well soon" cards to my liver now. He'll appreciate the thought.
First up is a heavyweight showdown between Dutch kickboxer Antoni Hardonk (Pictures) (5-4) and brawling Englishman Colin "Big C" Robinson (9-3). Both men are still trying to find their footing in the UFC thanks to relatively one-dimensional striking styles and mediocre conditioning.
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While Robinson has a fair bit of boxing ability, Hardonk is far more versatile on the feet and should dispatch Robinson early in the first round via knockout. Lord, save us all if these two decide to put on a grappling exhibition.
Everyone rooting for Sweden's Per Eklund (Pictures) (12-2-1) should hope for their
man to put on a grappling exhibition against the always-dangerous
Sam "Hands of Stone" Stout (12-3-1).
We all know that any Team Tompkins-trained fighter will be quite the kickboxer and Stout is no exception, but it has become obvious that Mr. Tompkins may want to incorporate some more grappling into the daily regimen.
Typically, Stout manages wins against grappling-minded opponents by surviving just long enough to get back on the feet and score a knockout. In the UFC, such strategies rarely work out for the best, and Eklund won't make the mistake of giving Stout the opportunity to get going on the feet.
Chalk one up for the Swedes as Eklund scores a quick and easy first round strangulation win. Expect the usual "stand and fight" chorus from the Tompkins-manned corner.
No one ever knows quite what to expect from Alessio Sakara (Pictures) (11-6 1 NC), who can go from impressive to inept in the time it takes Hilary Clinton to summon up a few crocodile tears. Bringing out that ineptitude will be the goal for UFC newcomer James Lee (James Lee' class='LinkSilver'>Pictures) (13-2 1 NC).
Stylistically, this is a Bad News Bears matchup for Sakara, who lacks anything resembling takedown defense and has yet to show any acumen on the ground when working off his back.
Although Lee has yet to step up against the same level of competition as Sakara, he does have the wrestling and submission ability to give a one-dimensional striker like Sakara fits. Don't wait for Sakara to show off any hidden jiu-jitsu skills as Lee notches a submission win in his UFC debut.
The closer on this UFC undercard features another newcomer in England's own Paul Kelly (6-0) squaring off against fellow countryman Paul Taylor (Pictures) (8-2-1, 1 NC).
Cultural heritage and sun-deprived skin are just about the only things these two share, however. Taylor is one of the division's more dangerous strikers while Kelly prefers to grind out opponents with ground and pound.
While glossy undefeated records often send tongues wagging, Kelly has yet to face anyone of note and will be hard pressed surviving the standup exchanges that Taylor is so adept at forcing.
Even if Kelly manages a takedown, Taylor is hardly an easy mark and has the tenacity to work his way out of trouble. A spirited first round will give way to a dominant showing in the second by Taylor, who will score a high-kick KO midway through the round.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to start loading up on Guinness to get myself in the right state of mind for this event. You can start sending "Get well soon" cards to my liver now. He'll appreciate the thought.
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