UFC 120 Preview: The Prelims

Spencer Fisher vs. Curt Warburton

Based on recent results, Fisher’s days as a top-shelf lightweight appear to be long gone. Will his match with Warburton end his days as a relevant presence in the 155-pound division? If nothing else, the UFC rookie will indulge Fisher in the kind of fight he has grown accustomed to winning.

Much of the edge has come off Fisher’s striking, but he still looks good enough to handle Warburton. His hands are faster, and he maintains a severely underrated sense of timing. The fundamentals of counterpunching and lateral movement are not byproducts of athleticism, and Fisher has a stronger grasp on those intricacies of striking than his opponent.

Even if Warburton tries to get Fisher on the floor, he will not be dealing with some one-dimensional striker there. Time and time again, Fisher has shown a surprisingly active guard and has only been beaten there by world-class fighters. Warburton, a quality fighter on the British scene, has yet to match up against anyone in Fisher’s universe as it relates to skill.

This looks like a pick your poison match for Warburton, as a bout with Fisher holds many great pitfalls, standing up and grappling. He seems all but certain to fall into one of them, and Fisher will be all too happy to take advantage.