UFC ‘Jones vs. Matyushenko’ Prelims Preview
Stann vs. Massenzio
Jul 28, 2010
Stann (right) file photo: Dave Mandel | Sherdog.com
Brian Stann vs. Mike Massenzio
This middleweight matchup is a critical one for Massenzio and Stann. Both are on uneven footing in the UFC thanks to their mixed results in the Octagon thus far. Who gets back above water depends heavily on Massenzio’s wrestling and, above all, his health. While Stann has made real improvements in his striking fundamentals and footwork, he still doesn’t have serious takedown defense. Massenzio is an underrated wrestler who has been dealing with a laundry list of injuries that have kept him out of the cage. With more than a year and a half on the sidelines, the hope is that Massenzio is all better. Even then he’ll still be carrying a few layers of cage rust.
Compounding the issue is Stann’s cut down to middleweight, which will ensure he’s either dehydrated or massively massive. Given the fact that Stann was never a huge light heavyweight, the cut will almost certainly make him a more physically competitive fighter. Mix in his vastly superior striking and suddenly adroit footwork, and the onus is on Massenzio to put together the kind of Octagon performance that has eluded him thus far.
Under normal circumstances Massenzio would be a tempting, even obvious, pick. Time away from the cage has been unkind to returning fighters lately, though. He still makes for a good underdog, but no one should have any illusions about him finding new form against a challenging opponent.
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