UFC 113 Preview: The Prelims

Jason MacDonald vs. John Salter

The Breakdown: Because Quebec’s athletic commission has the cognitive abilities of a beach ball, David Loiseau was denied the opportunity to take this fight against Salter and instead MacDonald is getting the shot at a short-notice special. Reclaiming the UFC spot he once held will require MacDonald to outwrestle a guy who isn’t the type to give up takedowns.

One of the better top-control grapplers in the middleweight division, MacDonald runs into trouble when he can’t control his opponents -- a major problem in this fight considering Salter is the more fundamentally sound and physically explosive wrestler. This wouldn’t be such a problem if MacDonald didn’t struggle with techniques like controlling posture and creating space. Although Salter is still developing his offensive skills, he does know how to use his wrestling to gain dominant positions and is a surprisingly fluid grappler.

Like many modern wrestling converts, one of Salter’s best assets is his ability to use advanced wrestling techniques that most fighters are clueless how to deal with. MacDonald’s offense sputters whenever he can’t control the terms of engagement, and Salter is at his best when he relies on his wrestling.

The Bottom Line: Salter is a better prospect than he gets credit for. He’s getting a chance to show off the game that got him to the big show in the first place. Time has done fighters of MacDonald’s ilk no favors, and this will be one of those fights that illustrates that point.