UFC ‘Fight for the Troops 2’ Preview: The Main Card

Joey Beltran | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

The Matchup: Barry was impressive in defeat against 2006 Pride Fighting Championships open weight grand prix winner Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic, as the Milwaukee-based dynamo put on a helluva show before finally succumbing to a third-round choke at UFC 115. Barry has surfaced as the face of UFC heavyweight striking, at least in terms of performing it from a pure kickboxing standpoint. He stands in contrast to the 260-pound guys who simply throw bombs and crush people on size and strength alone. Barry’s blend of athleticism and striking prowess are forever followed by questions about his ground game, but those doubts make for yet more reasons to watch him. He’s going to get you, or he’s going to get got. Either way, it’s eminently watchable.

Beltran, for his part, is a stylistic opposite. The wrestling-based grinder does not have a lot of excitement in his fights, but he is effective. In stopping the hyped Rolles Gracie at UFC 109 and then outpointing Tim Hague at UFC 113, Beltran emerged from the bottom tier of the UFC’s heavyweight pack.

Beltran will hold a decided wrestling advantage against Barry, but he will be tasked with closing the gap to apply it -- a pretty dangerous venture. Barry can deliver a fight-changing blow in multiple ways, and it can become frustrating to try and catch a versatile striker when you do not have the confidence to let your hands go to help close the gap.

Beltran and Barry both have their work cut out for them here. Barry still has a lot of upside in terms of developing better takedown defense and positional wrestling. Beltran should be able to give Barry fits if he gets him down, even in a three-round fight with restarts.

The Pick: We will go with Barry by second-round knockout, in a bout in which he takes some lumps but shows improvement in his all-around game.

Next Fight: Miller vs. Wiman