Preview: UFC 214 ‘Cormier vs. Jones 2’

Light Heavyweights

Jimi Manuwa (17-2) vs. Volkan Oezdemir (14-1)

THE MATCHUP: From a promotional perspective, this bout serves two helpful functions. If an injury or bizarre circumstance befalls either fighter in the main event, then Manuwa and Oezdemir are both in shape and ready to step up as a short-notice replacement. More importantly, however, the winner of this bout could be the next challenger for the title. Whether Cormier triumphantly avenges his first loss to hated rival Jones or the greatest light heavyweight of all-time reclaims his throne, the belt will have at least one hungry challenger waiting in the wings.

Oezdemir might seem like a strange candidate for the belt, but the Swiss kickboxer already has two impressive wins on his resume. Well, not much about the Ovince St. Preux fight was particularly impressive, but Oezdemir did overcome long odds on short notice to get the split decision win. The odds were not much closer when Oezdemir faced Misha Cirkunov in May, and yet, Cirkunov plummeted face first to the canvas within the first 30 seconds of the fight, the result of a bizarre, glancing punch just behind the ear. Nothing about Oezdemir’s two-fight UFC run has inspired much confidence that he is ready to vie for the belt, and yet he has proven, twice now, that he has a talent for surprising fans and opponents alike. It must also be said that, at just 27 years old, Oezdemir certainly has not done anything to remove himself from the title picture, either. He has promise, a mean streak and an experienced trainer who understands mean fighters very well.

Since his loss to Gustafsson, Manuwa has been training with the Swede and his teammates at Allstars Training Center. In that period, he has begun to fulfill the potential revealed in his 2012 UFC debut. Two additions have made the difference for Manuwa in his last two impressive wins. First, he has begun to pressure more. Unlike many MMA fighters, Manuwa is perfectly comfortable keeping an opponent’s back to the fence for extended periods of time. As a speedy, powerful puncher who likes to throw single, precision strikes, this control and distance management enables Manuwa more chances to probe his opponent’s defenses. In addition to pressure, however, Manuwa has suddenly started making liberal use of his jab. He has always possessed a quick jab, but only recently has it been featured so heavily in his game. His jab is sharp and sneaky. It makes his opponents jumpy and hesitant, anxious and unsure of when that lamppost jab will smash their nose or bloody their lip. With the initiative so firmly in his grasp, Manuwa is then able to time and place his devastating power punches.

Generally, the men who beat Manuwa are superior technicians with equal or great athletic ability. Oezdemir does not seem to fit the bill, but he will still offer some interesting stylistic challenges to the Londoner. For one, both men like to pressure, but Oezdemir has already demonstrated a dogged determination to keep up the pace even when exhausted. He will at least try to throw Manuwa off his game by moving forward. Secondly, Oezdemir is an excellent kicker. He has surprising speed and dexterity in his thick legs and kicks equally well with both of them. Manuwa is an able kicker, as well, but he prefers to fight in boxing range. He will have to defend or counter those kicks in order to fight at his preferred distance.

Both men are decent takedown artists and strong takedown defenders, though Oezdemir’s excellent ground-and-pound might give him reason to drag down Manuwa. Without clean entries, however, his only path to the ground will be through the clinch, where Manuwa is more than capable. In all likelihood, wrestling will be a wash.

THE ODDS: Manuwa (-180), Oezdemir (+140)

THE PICK: Oezdemir’s natural inclination to pressure -- emphasized by Henri Hooft’s harsh commands -- may force Manuwa to use his footwork in the early portions of this fight. Fortunately, the sharp jab he has begun to flash recently will serve him well to pot shot from the outside until an opportunity to gain control presents itself. Oezdemir is a good athlete, but he is slower than Manuwa. He is a hard hitter but a little less polished. His stolid determination alone makes him a potential spoiler, but this seems like Manuwa’s fight to lose. The pick is Manuwa by second-round TKO.

Last Fight » The Prelims