UFC 120 Preview: The Main Card

Cheick Kongo vs. Travis Browne

Like most up and coming heavyweights with glossy undefeated records, Browne has not faced anyone anywhere near the top 20 in the division. That trend ends against Kongo, precisely the breed of fighter against whom Brown must prove himself if he wants to advance in the UFC.

It seems an imposing task since Kongo has proven a far more versatile fighter than most seem to realize. Hardly the one-dimensional striker, the lifelong martial artist has some of the best ground-and-pound the division has to offer. Above all else, Browne must defend against that, as his guard game remains untested.

Usually, Browne can put together enough strikes to skip the mat altogether. That may change here. Although the titanic Frenchman’s striking has become somewhat overrated, his reach and power make him effective from all ranges. At bare minimum, he stands as Browne’s equal on the feet, and his speed advantage suggests he can consistently land first -- half the battle in the heavyweight division.

A scenario in which Browne wins is hard to envision outside of his landing a big strike and putting together an immediate finish. The scenario grows hazy when one considers how much more experience Kongo has against world-class competition, not to mention his history of dominance against strikers like Antoni Hardonk and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic. He does not need to trade with Brown, as the second he scores a takedown, he will have this fight by the neck.

All signs point to Browne hitting the proverbial wall in this fight. He strikes lack the speed and timing necessary to win exchanges with Kongo, and he has not yet shown the kind of wrestling chops that would suggest he can stuff the Frenchman’s takedowns. For all of Kongo’s idiosyncrasies on the mat, he can still bully his way into top control against most and put together massive strikes from inside the guard. Expect shades of Kongo’s match with Paul Buentello, as Browne succumbs to ground-and-pound in the middle stages of the bout.