UFC on Fuel TV 2 Preview: The Main Card

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Welterweights
DaMarques Johnson (15-9, 4-3 UFC) vs. John Maguire (17-3, 1-0 UFC)

The Matchup: A U.S. vs. U.K. matchup is always entertaining, as Johnson gets the chance to relive his time on Season 9 of “The Ultimate Fighter” in a matchup with the Englishman Maguire. Johnson had a short night’s work in his last outing, scoring a first-round knockout of Clay Harvison at UFC on Fox 1, but if Maguire’s UFC debut is any indication, “The Darkness” could have a more difficult night ahead of him.

The Tsunami Gym representative outworked Justin Edwards at UFC 138 to earn a unanimous nod. Maguire had his greatest success when he grounded Edwards in round two and three, locked in a body triangle and hunted for chokes while attacking with punches from behind. Such a persistent work rate will serve him well against Johnson, who has been known to fade in the face of constant pressure.

Five of Johnson’s nine defeats have come by way of submission, so it’s likely that the American will want to keep the action standing, although he is plenty capable of displaying his own grappling acumen should a scramble ensue.

Much of Johnson’s best standup work comes from fighting inside, which will leave him susceptible to takedowns from Maguire. Constantly trying to keep the fight upright will take its toll on Johnson’s gas tank, and as the fight advances, he will become easier to wrestle to the mat. If Johnson can’t connect with a momentum-shifting strike early on, Maguire will have the advantage as the contest evolves into more of a grinding affair.

The Pick: Johnson tends to be uneven in his performances, and he just might be due for a letdown against a lesser-known commodity such as Maguire. The Brit will outwork Johnson, and in a mild upset, earn a hard-fought decision for his seventh straight victory.

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