UFC 97 Breakdown: The Prelims

Jason MacDonald vs. Nate Quarry

The Breakdown: For a guy with a Team Quest pedigree, Quarry does not seem too fond of the mat, which is where MacDonald, an underrated grappler, will look to take this fight. Quarry does have the power to pole axe MacDonald, but he will not have much in the way of opportunities, as his own sloppy footwork and unorthodox stance make him an easy takedown target. Quarry had better hope he can thwart those takedowns and resist MacDonald’s second effort inside the clinch, because he’s not built to survive on the mat.

The X Factor: MacDonald proved a lot by absorbing a beating from former middleweight champion Rich Franklin at UFC 68, but his whole game falters when he’s forced to slug it out; that’s Quarry’s specialty. If MacDonald struggles for takedowns early, he’ll be severely outgunned, as Quarry’s power alone is enough to turn this fight on its head. The same holds true if MacDonald has to work out of the guard and cannot secure a submission before Quarry finds rhythm with his ground-and-pound. Canada may be his homeland, but MacDonald needs to stay focused on his game instead of trying anything spectacular that could cost him the fight.

* * *

The Bottom Line: Until Quarry does something about his spastic footwork, no one should bank on him thwarting the takedowns of a determined opponent. Expect some dicey moments on the feet early for MacDonald, but he will eventually get Quarry down and chop shop him with precise positioning and surprisingly effective ground striking. From there, set your stopwatch for the tapout, as it will not take long for MacDonald to seal the deal.