UFC 101 Preview: The Prelims

Matt Riddle vs. Dan Cramer

The Breakdown: This is one of those fights between young prospects who happen to be mirror images of each other. Both Cramer and Riddle are ginormous welterweights who make up for their inexperience with paralyzing ground-and-pound. The difference is that Riddle happens to be the much better fighter despite his Gotti boy haircut. Come fight time, Cramer will have to negotiate Riddle’s superior wrestling and conditioning while steering clear of any brain scramblers Riddle unloads on the feet. Just in case you’re waiting for a riddle pun, I’m letting you know now it’s not happening.

The X Factor: After a middling run on “The Ultimate Fighter,” Riddle has been a revelation in his first two UFC bouts and is looking like a future welterweight contender. The weight of expectations is the only variable we haven’t seen Riddle overcome, and with the whispers growing louder over his bright future, you have to wonder how a 23-year-old kid will handle going from afterthought to blue-chipper in such short order. Thus far, Riddle’s success has been built on flawless preparation and in-cage execution, but if he starts buying too much stock in his own talent, he could easily go from pleasant surprise to cautionary tale via Mr. Cramer’s fists.

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The Bottom Line: While prospects get fed to the genetically engineered super-lions of the UFC, Riddle is getting deluxe treatment and it will show as he treats Cramer like a showcase opponent. Expect Riddle to wear him down with suffocating top control and strikes before putting him away with a kimura late in the second round. Let’s just hope that Riddle doesn’t show up to the cage ever again looking like he stuck his finger in an electrical socket.