Issue 054
September 2009
Our resident experts preview three upcoming fights in their own very different ways.
First, Andrew Garvey takes a look at the bigger picture. What are the career implications for the combatants? Where are they coming from, and what will victory or defeat hold for them? Next, Fighters Only’s technique expert, Peter Irving, breaks down the strategic and tactical considerations.
Breakdown by the Numbers
Gray Maynard vs Roger Huerta
2004
Year Maynard started training MMA with BJ Penn.
11
Maynard’s position in the ranks of the ‘all-time most successful wrestler in Michigan State University history’, with 106 career wins.
4
Years age difference between Maynard (30) and Huerta (26)
13
Months Huerta took out from fighting to appear in a feature film and finish college
75%
Roger Huerta’s finishing rate
Gray Maynard vs Roger Huerta
UFC Fight Night, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, September 16, 2009
The Bigger Picture
Aspiring film star Huerta makes his first appearance in the Octagon in over a year in this, the final fight of his current contract. The UFC may be giving him a very painful going away present in the shape of ‘the Bully’.
At the end of 2007 ‘El Matador’ Huerta seemed poised for genuine UFC stardom. The handsome Hispanic had appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated (a much overblown slice of mainstream coverage, as the article was about the UFC and not Huerta at all), was regularly thrilling crowds with his frenetically inventive striking and had amassed a 6-0 UFC record. True, Huerta hadn’t faced any of the lightweight division’s elite but, at 24 years of age and with a genuinely emotional life story, apparent star quality and phenomenally entertaining wins over high-caliber fighters Leonard Garcia and Clay Guida, he had the MMA world at his feet (and fists, elbows and knees). But things went off the rails a little in 2008.
Burnt out from fighting five times the previous year, Huerta took some time off to continue his college education and start looking at his options in modeling and acting. When he returned to action he faced ever-improving top contender Kenny Florian in August. He was aggressive as ever, but Florian countered expertly, exposing and outclassing the wind-milling Huerta. Florian even outwrestled the younger man (impressive given Huerta’s collegiate background) and took a clear, unanimous win. Not only had his reputation inside the Octagon suffered a real setback but Huerta’s ill-considered rant a few weeks previously, about how little he was being paid, seemed to have soured UFC management on one of their bright young stars.
Few would consider the 30-year-old Maynard a media magnet or a bell-to-bell creator of excitement. Unbeaten at 7-0 (albeit with one bizarre no contest and a TUF 5 loss to Nate Diaz that isn’t officially counted) Maynard is a suffocating All-American wrestler who seems able to take down, shut down and grind out any lightweight fighter in the world. He’s also a huge lightweight. Indeed, wrestling and size are how ‘the Bully’ has scored most of his UFC wins. Dennis Siver, Frankie Edgar and Rich Clementi have all been out-muscled and outwrestled to very obvious decision defeat. Most recently, stung by criticism of his fighting style, Maynard chose to keep his UFC 96 fight with Jim Miller entirely on his feet. True, Maynard showed much improved boxing and made a mess of Miller’s face but, in trying too much to be entertaining, he’d simply swapped a wrestling style he’s excellent at, for an infuriatingly one-dimensional boxing match.
If Maynard tries repeating that strategy against Huerta he’ll be taking a very serious risk. Huerta is a much more experienced, more aggressive striker but has really struggled at times with good wrestlers (most notably the unheralded Doug Evans). Maynard may be a poor finisher with just one KO victory but he’s been quietly edging closer to a title shot. If he sticks to his wrestling base he should be able to physically dominate Huerta en route to another decision win. If so, expect to see him in a title fight in 2010. As for Huerta, the next place he’s likely to turn up is the bargain bin at the local DVD shop.
Technical Breakdown
The shorter Maynard should have the upper hand in the clinch, where his aggressive wrestling and stamina will pay off. Maynard’s takedowns are hard to fault, and his defensive wrestling skills are equally unquestionable, having demonstrated great balance defending leg attacks and great strength and posture fending off upper body tie-ups. With this exceptional balance, Maynard is particularly adept at ‘offensive defense’, never missing an opportunity to let his hands go while his opponent is trying to tackle his leg. Like most who make the wrestling to MMA transition, his strength on the mat is using top position to ground ‘n pound. His fitness and wrestling skill serve him well enough that he is scarcely seen on his back.
Maynard is very much the quintessential boxer / wrestler, using head movement and favoring his hands heavily over kicks, knees or elbows. He tends to paw more with his left hand and unleash power shots with the right, mixing-up straights and hooking body-shots.
A straightforward pressure-fighter, Huerta benefits from a greater reach than Maynard, but has been taken down by opponents after eagerly coming forward with a high elevation. Although often finding himself out-positioned on the mat, Huerta scrambles tenaciously and, although he may sometimes throw himself recklessly from the frying pan into the fire, he does make the most of it when he finally achieves top position.
It is common to see Huerta in negative positions, but rarely does he allow himself to be completely dominated – from the back, front headlock or top position he maintains good avenues of escape. Although the switch-hitter Huerta’s chipping kicks and wide elbowed, winging hands may not be the most technically sound or beautiful to watch, he does throw with bad intentions and moves fluidly from orthodox to southpaw as he chases his opposition with hook and straight combinations from either side.
Breakdown by the Numbers
Hermes Franca vs Tyson Griffin
‘05
Year in which Griffin beat Urijah Faber for the Gladiator Challenge bantamweight title.
10
Years age difference between Griffin and Franca.
11
Number of career submission wins by BJJ black belt Franca, including Nate Diaz, Jamie Varner and Toby Imada.
18
Number of combined UFC fights between Griffin and Franca.
90%
Hermes Franca’s finishing rate
Hermes Franca vs Tyson Griffin
UFC 103, Dallas, Texas,
September 19th 2009
The Bigger Picture
Lightweight Franca, in his third fight since his steroid suspension and first since a serious knee injury, faces the decade-younger Griffin in what looks like being a great fight. The 25-year-old Griffin is making his ninth UFC appearance and sports a won-loss record of 6-2, losing only to Frankie Edgar and Sean Sherk – two fighters who have also beaten Franca.
Perhaps most impressive though is Griffin’s habit of picking up ‘Fight of the Night’ bonuses, thanks to a crowd-pleasing, all-action style both on his feet and on the mat. Recipient of a whopping five such bonuses, Griffin is guaranteed entertainment. When not shut down by a wrestler like Sherk, Franca, with his flowing Brazilian jiu-jitsu and wild right hands, is also plenty of fun to watch. After being mauled by Sherk, Franca seems quite a long way from another title shot but Griffin, despite a seeming inability to finish at this level, is clearly a UFC favorite. Few would really expect him to win the lightweight title. With an impressive and entertaining win here, however, he’ll be able to make a real case for being at least considered as ‘challenger material’ before too long.
Technical Analysis
Franca’s clubbing punches have never been beautiful to watch and he moves with a plodding, flat-footed style, but his big right hand can cause trouble for anyone. Look out for the overhand. Griffin, although hindered by his short reach, makes up for it with superb flexibility and a tremendous work rate. Griffin maintains an intense pace and keeps a tight guard throughout three rounds, whereas Franca often fades as the fight wears on, leaving his hands low.
Griffin’s balance is very well developed and his scrambling is relentless. Getting close enough to attempt a takedown may not be the problem for Franca, but finishing the takedown certainly will. Franca’s real strength is of course his jiu-jitsu. A legitimate black belt, he rarely allows any submission attacks to be mounted on him, finishes strongly with a traditional repertoire of BJJ submissions and passes guard with little difficulty. Although very durable, he does have a habit of letting fights slip away from him and into the hands of the judges when faced with opposition who can maintain a more intense pace. Griffin certainly fits that bill.
Breakdown by the Numbers
Frank Trigg vs Josh Koscheck
12
Years that Trigg has been fighting professionally.
4-1
4 years and 1 month, length of time between Trigg’s UFC appearances.
2
Times Trigg challenged for the UFC welterweight title.
73
Frank Trigg’s finishing rate (percent).
88%
of Koscheck’s MMA fights that have been in the UFC
Frank Trigg vs Josh Koscheck
UFC 103, Dallas, Texas,
September 19, 2009
The Bigger Picture
Elite wrestler Koscheck returns after his shocking KO loss to Paulo Thiago, and faces another top class wrestler making a return appearance of a very different kind. At 37 years of age and 2-3 in his previous stint with the promotion, sometime commentator and radio show host Frank Trigg was a surprise addition to the UFC welterweight division earlier this year.
‘Twinkle Toes’ has gone 7-2 since his last UFC appearance (an absolute humbling at the hands of Georges St Pierre in 2005) and has beaten some good fighters along the way. But still, in a sport (and particularly a division) increasingly dominated by the under-35s, Trigg seems an odd choice of opponent for Koscheck and it is questionable what he really brings to the division as a whole.
As a wrestler, Koscheck has superior credentials, is younger at 31, has been facing better opposition at this weight (Trigg is usually a middleweight) and has evolved into a legitimate top contender. Against Paulo Thiago he simply got caught by a wild uppercut. He put in very impressive performances in losses to St Pierre and Thiago Alves, and looked superb in stoppage victories over Dustin Hazelett and Yoshiyuki Yoshida. Expect another inside-the-distance win for Koscheck.
Technical Analysis
Koscheck, the prolific college wrestler, has developed his boxing skills to a high level and successfully harnessed the knockout power that often comes from a wrestling base. His striking is often limited very much to his hands, allowing him to strike without sacrificing his base. He uses his high kick to good effect though (as seen against Hazelett) and has notably worked on his flexibility (look for his pre-fight ritual of hoisting his legs up in a vertical split against the Octagon). He tends to let the left arm hang a little low, flashing out jabs and faking to the body to cue-up the power in his big right hand.
Trigg is a southpaw and, like Koscheck, built his boxing skills on top of his wrestling, but he has never succeeded in appearing truly comfortable as a striker. Trigg generally rushes to clinch, and his success comes when he can assert dominance in top position and get his ground ‘n pound working. Taking down (and keeping down) a wrestler of Koscheck’s caliber will be a major task even for a decorated wrestler such as Trigg. Don’t expect to see either man going for many submissions.
