UFC is set to have it's first event in Washington DC as UFC Live 6 will be hosted at the Verizon Center. Headlined by the first free title fight in four years since UFC 75 Bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz will look to defend his title against Demetrious Johnson. The co-main event features to striking Heavyweights that do not want to have a 2 fight losing streak. 2 Welterweights Anthony Johnson and Charlie Brenneman are looking to break into the top 10 while Mac Danzig and Matt Wiman are looking to set the record straight to round out the main card.
Main Event
Bantamweight Championship
18-1 Record 10-1
26 Age 25
134 Weight 135.5
5'8 Height 5'3
68" Reach 63"
-425 Odds +325
How they got here: Both fighters are coming off the biggest wins of their respective careers. Cruz defeated Urijah Faber to avenge his only loss in the first UFC event headlined by Bantamweights. It was Cruz's 3 straight title defense and 9th win in a row overall. Johnson is fresh off his win over former WEC Bantamweight champion Miguel Torres to earn the title shot and has won 4 in a row overall.What to expect: Speed vs speed, wrestling vs striking. Both fighters are used to being the faster fighter in their fights but for once that could be an even stat. Cruz should be his usual self with tons of head and foot movement to throw off Johnson and his takedown attempts. Unfortunately for Johnson another strength of Cruz's is his takedown defense as he showed against the bigger opponent in Faber that he is really tough to takedown and keep there. Johnson is much faster and a better wrestler than Faber but the reach, striking and takedown defense of Cruz is most likely going to be too much for "Mighty Mouse". It wouldn't be all that surprising if Cruz scored a few takedowns himself and possibly look for a finish.
My prediction: Cruz by Decision
Pat Barry vs Stefan Struve
6-3 Record 21-5
32 Age 23
243 Weight 255
5'11 Height 6'11
74.5" Reach 84"
-180 Odds +150
How they got here: Both are coming off disappointing KO loses in their last bouts. Barry who seemed to have Chieck Kongo all but knocked out ended up being on the wrong end of the KO in one of the most entertaining 1st rounds of the year. Struve's most recent outing was also ended early, his by the hands of Travis Browne also in the 1st round.
What to expect: If their recent bouts tell us anything we should be expecting a pretty exciting war. The reach of Struve will surely play a part at some part during this fight weather it be in the stand up or on the ground looking for a submission. Barry has been caught with punches and submissions in his most recent fights and Struve is more than capable of doing the same to him. Even with the huge height and reach advantage against him Barry could even out that disadvantage in a hurry with the power he has in pretty much all his limbs. Barry's gameplan should involve leg kicks to slow Struve and attempt to get inside, but perhaps as he learned in his last fight not to get too overly aggressive.
My prediction: Struve by TKO 2nd Round
Charlie Brenneman vs Anthony Johnson
14-2 Record 9-3
30 Age 27
170.5 Weight 171
5'10 Height 6'3
70" Reach 78"
+160 Odds -200
How they got here: Brenneman took full advantage of the opportunity of being bumped into a main event against Rick Story the day before the event. Brenneman went on to defeated Story by unanimous decision which was also his 2nd straight win in the UFC. Johnson returned to the octagon after a long layoff to defeat Dan Hardy by decision earlier this year.What to expect: Johnson has openly said he was just going for the win and played it safe against Hardy. At no fault of his own though Johnson could be involved in another fight decided by wrestling against the tough Brenneman. Johnson will have to use his reach to keep Brenneman back and avoid his takedowns will he attempt any of his big kicks against the wrestler is the big question.
My prediction: Johnson by Decision
Matt Wiman vs Mac Danzig
14-6 Record 20-8-1
31 Age 28
156 Weight 156
5'8 Height 5'10
5'8 Height 5'10
70" Reach 67"
+145 Odds -175
How they got here: A rematch from their UFC 115 bout which ended in conterversy as Wiman won by submission to a more than concious and non-tapping Danzig. Since the bout Wiman went on to defeat Cole Miller and then be involved in more comtervsery as he lost a decision to Dennis Siver where most thought he had the win. Danzig returned to the win column with a TKO over Joe Stevenson in his last bout.What to expect: Their first fight was pretty entertaining before the early stoppage and we should expect a similar pace to this one. Look for Wiman to push Danzig in the stand up and most likely get a TKO. Danzig will want to get this on the ground and on top of Wiman but that could be a tall order.
My prediction: Wiman by TKO 2nd Round
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