UFC 133 Preview: The Main Card

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Welterweights
Rory MacDonald (11-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Mike Pyle (21-7-1, 4-2 UFC)

The Matchup: Fast-rising welterweight contender MacDonald has been making waves. His thrilling, last-second knockout loss to Carlos Condit at UFC 115 was as impressive a performance as any 20 year-old could be expected to give. The Canadian showed good tactical smarts and a strong closing effort in earning a decision over “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 5 winner Nate Diaz in his last outing. MacDonald, who has trained MMA since he was 14, transitions nicely between clinches and takedowns, strikes and scrambles, and seems to have a natural instinct for the fight game.

Pyle is an interesting test, namely because the veteran potentially has the wrestling and takedown game to stymie MacDonald, whose standup will have to deter “Quicksand” from closing the gap. An extended ground battle does not necessarily mean MacDonald loses, but it does get Pyle over a huge tactical hurdle and makes it a far more winnable fight for him.

If there is one asset MacDonald may lack at this point, it is big-man strength for a welterweight, that requisite horsepower to dominate when technique and conditioning are a push. George St. Pierre has it, as does Jon Fitch. Matt Hughes ruled the division in his heyday with it. It is something MacDonald may grow into -- he just turned 22 -- and that is why Pyle is a meaningful opponent at this point in his career.

Pyle’s wrestle-smash of John Hathaway at UFC 120 was a sobering reminder of what a hard-nosed veteran with good grappling chops can do to a talented young fighter. Pyle’s standup is serviceable but nowhere near MacDonald’s, who is getting better on the feet with each fight. MacDonald’s task is simple: dictate the range and keep Pyle at arm’s length while picking his spots and, if taken down, scrambling up immediately. A grinding, wrenching wrestling match is exactly what Pyle needs, and he may be able to force it in spots.

The Pick: This is where MacDonald’s proverbial rubber hits the road, and he will have to bail himself out at some point. He does just that, rallying in the third to win via knockout after a tough back-and-forth bout.

Jason Probst can be reached at [email protected] or twitter.com/jasonprobst.

Continue Reading » UFC 133 Prelims: Chad Mendes vs. Rani Yahya