UFC 142 Preview: The Main Card

---

Middleweights
Vitor Belfort (20-9, 9-5 UFC) vs. Anthony Johnson (10-3, 7-3 UFC)

The Matchup: Belfort is in the unique position of already having his next six months planned out. Barring significant injury against Johnson, “The Phenom” will coach opposite Wanderlei Silva on “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil” and face off with “The Axe Murderer” at the show’s finale in June. Belfort has lobbied for another shot at middleweight champion Anderson Silva, but a rematch is unlikely without two victories in the first half of 2012, beginning with Johnson.

Long one of the largest fighters in the UFC at welterweight, Johnson finally makes his middleweight debut. Normally well north of 200 pounds, “Rumble” faced one of the most difficult weight cuts in the sport today to get to 170 pounds, which often had adverse effects on his conditioning come fight night. The tradeoff now is that, while he will not have quite the size advantage he once did, improved stamina should make him that much more dangerous.

The term most often associated with Belfort and his striking seems to be “blitz,” as the Brazilian’s hand speed allows him to unleash blistering combinations before an opponent can recover. Since his return to the UFC, Belfort has shown his frightening standup in first-round finishes of both Rich Franklin and Yoshihiro Akiyama. The 34-year-old southpaw is especially effective when he connects with his powerful left hook.

While Belfort possesses the significant edge in speed, Johnson presents problems of his own with a four-inch reach advantage, as well as knockout power. In recent bouts, “Rumble” has shown a penchant for the head kick, including a finish of Charlie Brenneman at UFC Live 6. Rather than trade with the explosive Belfort, Johnson will want to try and mimic his performance against Dan Hardy in March. There, Johnson used a wrestling-based attack to control Hardy for three rounds to take home a decision.

Belfort will be markedly more difficult to take down, but his wrestling skills are modest at best. The Brazilian has struggled against ground-and-pound attacks in the past, and Johnson, a former junior college national champion wrestler, could plant seeds of doubt in his mind with a similar approach. Belfort likes to lay back and create angles to set up his punches, but this will be more difficult to do against the rangy Johnson. He will have to come forward with purpose and connect to avoid the takedowns of the powerful American.

The Pick: Belfort has a great jiu-jitsu background, and his ability to pull off a submission could save him here. Expect Johnson to be conservative from top position, however, attacking just enough to avoid a restart. Positional control, combined with his reach advantage, will be enough for Johnson to take a decision.

Continue Reading » Next Fight: Rousimar Palhares vs. Mike Massenzio