UFC Live 6 will feature reigning UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz vs. Demtrius Johnson in the main event at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. Oct.1.
Cruz without a doubt brings more momentum to this fight with a 9-bout win streak against top contenders, including former WEC Featherweight Champion Urijah Faber. Incidentally, his win against Faber also avenged his only professional loss from 2007 and improved his record to 18-1.
Johnson (11-1) cannot be counted out yet, though, as he is also coming off a win streak with four consecutive victories in the last year alone. Like Cruz, he has only one blemish on his fight record, which consists of a decision-loss to Brad Picket at WEC 48 in April 2010. Johnson's stock skyrocketed, however, when he defeated former WEC Bantamweight Champion Miguel Torres via decision at UFC 130 last May in spite of suffering a shin fracture in the second round.
With the championship belt on the line Cruz will certainly try to use his superior experience and striking power against Johnson while staying clear of Johnson's submission skills on the ground. Although both fighters can go the distance, Johnson has never been in a title bout before. As such it remains to be seen if he can keep up with Cruz who has proven his stamina in three other title defenses.
Cruz also has a height and reach advantage since he is five inches taller than Johnson. Combined with his crisp striking skills he should have an easy time dominating Johnson in stand up. Johnson's odds are clearly better on the ground where he can utilize his wrestling and submission skills (five wins via submission) to control Cruz who was caught in a guillotine choke by Faber in round one at WEC 26. Although Cruz' ground skills have no doubt improved since that fateful loss he still shows a preference for stand-up as he won six of his 18 career fights via knockout, eleven via decision and only one via submission.
Expect fireworks and high-speed action that will most likely result in a decision.
Predicted winner: Cruz via decision.
The UFC Live 6 main card will be broadcast live on Versus TV at 9 p.m. ET. Participating sports bars nationwide will also stream the fights.
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