UFC 122 Preview: The Main Card

Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Goran Reljic

This is a definite style clash, with the smooth-kicking Reljic taking on the no-frills Soszynski. Like MMA’s most famous Croatian, Reljic has a great head kick and dangerous striking. He may have been too big to cut down to 185, where he lost close decisions to C.B. Dollaway and then Kendall Grove. Returning to 205 pounds should be a better fit.

With a record of 24-11, Soszynski has taken on all comers at both 205 pounds and heavyweight and doesn’t do a lot of things flashy or with spectacular highlight-reel mojo. He just comes in shape and grinds it out, win or lose.

The key here will be how much room Soszynski gives Reljic to operate. Given enough space to use footwork and set up angles, Reljic will be able to land strikes, particularly his left roundhouse kick, which he lets loose like a clean-up hitter going for a fastball with the bases loaded.

Soszynski should try to catch Reljic’s kicks to try to set up takedowns, where he can work strikes to the body and head to slow him down. In boxing, you beat a jabber by outjabbing him and in MMA, you give a kicker pause by countering him with a good one to the legs. Soszynki’s stand-up will never have him confused for Peter Aerts, but if he can use well-timed low kicks, that will throw off Reljic’s rhythm, stunting his offense and allowing Soszynski to set up the takedown.

The pick here is Reljic by decision, though. He should have just enough offensive variety and advantages in speed and striking to pull it out, surviving a few tough moments on bottom of Soszynski.