UFC 92 Breakdown: The Main Card

CB Dollaway vs. Mike Massenzio

CB “The Doberman” Dollaway Scouting Report
Height/Weight: 6’2/185 lbs.
Age: 25
Hometown: Mt. Gilead, Ohio
Fighting out of: Tempe, Ariz.
Record: 7-1

The stakes: From golden boy to reality reject, Dollaway started out as the favorite to win season seven of “The Ultimate Fighter,” only to be thwarted twice over by MMA rookie Amir Sadollah. For all of his obvious physical ability, the arrogance and lacking submission savvy Dollaway has shown thus far makes one wonder if he’ll ever get over himself long enough to develop into a quality fighter. Now would be a good time to start.

The breakdown: The last thing Dollaway needs to do is hurry to the ground against a talented grappler like Massenzio. Instead, he should use his wrestling in reverse to keep the fight standing just long enough to take away Massenzio’s base with leg kicks. From there, Dollaway can proceed to the mat and execute his ground-and-pound without having to deal with a fresh fighter. Either that, or Dollaway can just walk around with a smirk and hope everything works out.

Mike “Master of Disaster” Massenzio Scouting Report
Height/Weight: 6’2/185 lbs.
Age: 26
Hometown: Teaneck, N.J.
Fighting out of: Paterson, N.J.
Record: 11-2

The stakes: An unexpected presence in the UFC, Massenzio announced his arrival with a slick first-round submission win over the ever dangerous Drew McFedries at UFC Fight Night 15. Now a main-card fighter taking on a “TUF” alumnus, Massenzio has a chance to turn himself into a known commodity and perhaps set himself up as a contender.

The breakdown: Dollaway has shown a penchant for the boneheaded on the mat, and that’s the weakness on which Massenzio must hone in. It seems unlikely Massenzio can score a takedown on a wrestler of Dollaway’s caliber, but if pulling guard is what it takes, then that’s what he must do. The more time Massenzio spends on the mat with Dollaway, the better his chances are of luring him into another rookie mistake.


* * *

The bottom line: While there’s no discounting Dollaway’s potential, his overall approach to the sport has been a disappointment, as he projects a cocky persona that has done him no favors. Unless Dollaway has decided to take cross-training seriously, watch for Massenzio’s solid submission skills to give his limbs a major twisting.