UFC 185 matchups
UFC 185 MATCHUPS
A breakdown of the fights on the main card of UFC 185 today at American Airlines Center in Dallas:
Anthony Pettis (18-2) vs. Rafael dos Anjos (23-7)
■ CLASS: For lightweight title
■ LINE: Pettis minus-450
■ STORYLINE: Dos Anjos is a powerful and fundamentally sound striker who is tough and relentless. He’s also an ideal opponent to showcase the immense talent of Pettis. Dos Anjos is an extremely capable grappler but has become reliant on his kickboxing. Pettis, the lightweight champion, is an emerging superstar, and Dos Anjos is likely to stand in front of him and provide a great opportunity for Pettis, who has stopped four straight opponents in the first or second round, to further his legacy. Dos Anjos is durable, having been finished twice in 30 career fights. This will be a whole new challenge, though. Pettis might be the most explosive athlete in the organization.
■ PICK: Pettis by second-round knockout
Carla Esparza (11-2) vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (8-0)
■ CLASS: For women’s strawweight title
■ LINE: Esparza minus-165
■ STORYLINE: Esparza became the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s first women’s strawweight champion with an unexpectedly dominant victory over Rose Namajunas, who was viewed as the preferred choice in terms of marketability. Her first defense takes place under similar circumstances. UFC president Dana White hasn’t been shy in espousing his love of Jedrzejczyk’s personality and fighting style. Esparza is far more substance than style, which is all that matters once the bell rings. She is experienced in big fights and should be able to use her wrestling to neutralize Jedrzejczyk’s kickboxing. This has the potential to be a boring fight if Esparza has her way, and that probably would mean she retains the belt. To be fair, her win over Namajunas in December provided plenty of excitement.
■ PICK: Esparza by decision
Johny Hendricks (16-3) vs. Matt Brown (21-12)
■ CLASS: Welterweight
■ LINE: Hendricks minus-365
■ STORYLINE: Hendricks will look to bounce back from losing his belt to Robbie Lawler in December with a bout in his Dallas hometown. He should certainly have the crowd on his side to go with his advantage in power and wrestling. Brown is incredibly tough, but his durability very well might be put to the test. Hendricks has one-punch knockout power to go with perhaps the strongest wrestling skills in the division, if not the entire organization. While Hendricks doesn’t always make full use of that aspect of his game, he must recognize the clear advantage he possesses over Brown in this matchup. He knows a win is imperative to ensure he doesn’t fall too far out of contention for the belt that he hopes to win back in the near future. Look for him to get this fight to the mat early and often.
■ PICK: Hendricks by decision
Roy Nelson (21-10) vs. Alistair Overeem (38-14-0, 1 No Contest)
■ CLASS: Heavyweight
■ LINE: Overeem minus-190
■ STORYLINE: This might be the most fun fight on the card. There is little mystery to how it’s going to play out. Nelson knows that Overeem has shown a vulnerable chin, and the Las Vegan will hunt for the overhand right for as long as the fight continues. Overeem will try to close the distance and punish Nelson with knees and short punches in the clinch. Nelson would be best served to take down Overeem and try to grind out a win. He loves getting in slugfests, though, and Overeem will oblige. There was a time in Nelson’s career when he was almost impossible to knock out. Those days have passed.
■ PICK: Overeem by second-round knockout
Chris Cariaso (17-6) vs. Henry Cejudo (7-0)
■ CLASS: Flyweight
■ LINE: Cejudo minus-600
■ STORYLINE: Cejudo already cleared the biggest hurdle of the week when he made weight Friday. The 2008 Olympic wrestling gold medalist has had major issues cutting to 125 pounds but hit the scales right on the number. Now he can focus on getting the job done in the cage. Expectations are soaring for how good Cejudo can be as a mixed martial artist. It’s up to him to live up to the hype. This will be his biggest test to date, and Cariaso is certainly capable of springing the upset. The number is way too big, but Cejudo should still find a way to win.
■ PICK: Cejudo by decision
ADAM HILL/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
