UFC Fight Night 24 Preview: The Main Card

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Welterweights
Dan Hardy vs. Anthony Johnson

The Matchup: There are matches that give one a gut feeling that there will not be fireworks, and then there are fights like this one, where the Violence Quotient jumps off the charts.

Johnson is a ridiculously larger welterweight, walking around well-muscled at 210 or more pounds and making the kind of weight cut that may be hazardous. It makes him larger and oftentimes stronger than his opponents, but he is vulnerable to being gassed by those who can outwrestle him, as Josh Koscheck did at UFC 106.

Johnson’s size and numbing power make him a handful for anyone crazy enough to keep it standing, and Hardy is exactly the kind of guy who will try to do so. The Briton loves to trade shots and does not figure to have the wrestling chops to take down Johnson.

Johnson’s range and ability to drive home powerful shots, particularly in combinations, mean Hardy will have to close the distance to land his own punches. That is a tough task. Johnson’s days as a welterweight are numbered, as he is simply too big to keep making 170 pounds for long, particularly against grappler types. However, this matchup is perfect for him because Hardy will come right at him, which is pretty much the equivalent of throwing fastballs at a cleanup hitter.

The Pick: Look for Johnson to set the tone early with big one-twos and Hardy to fire back. Johnson has a strong chin and will simply keep pressing, dropping bombs en route to a savage second-round knockout.

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