UFC Fight Night 26, Fox Sports 1 (Shippin‘ Up to Boston)



Tomorrow night marks the launch of the new Fox Sports 1 channel with UFC Fight Night 26: Shogun vs Sonnen. 

With a 7-year contract already signed, the UFC is a planned centerpiece of the new sports channel, which Fox hopes will challenge ESPN’s longtime dominance over the cable sports world and return a profit in a quick 3 years.  I’ll believe it when I see it, but I’m up for anything that promotes the sport and puts more fights on TV, especially free fights (for those of you who haven’t joined the rest of us in the 21st Century and cut the cable).



The UFC is aiming to hook more casual fans into regular viewers, and has stacked this non-PPV card with recognizable names, proven finishers, and promising young talents.  The main event features UFC veterans Chael Sonnen and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, names who casuals will recognize and hardcores will be interested in.  



While I’m leaning Chael, I honestly cannot pick this one with confidence.  Shogun has the advantage on the feet, but I don’t know if he can stop Chael from taking him down and tossing him around.  Rua, however, can be wily from his back, and has decent counter-wrestling, so expect him to drag this thing out, maybe even improve his position.  Shogun has the knockout power to end the fight on the feet, but I think that Sonnen’s strike defense might prove superior to Rua’s takedown defense, allowing him to control the fight, and win rounds.



Expect both guys to get banged up pretty bad, but also expect this thing to go the distance.  At this level of skill, both fighters have an answer for the other guy’s strengths. 



Unless Shogun knocks Chael out like Freddy Roach taught him to.

Also on the card (taking place in Boston), is Boston native Joe Lauzon, and Irish fighter Conor McGregor, who might as well be a Boston native for the reception he is sure to receive in Beantown.  Conor is one of those guys who’s fun to watch because he’s having fun out there.  In the tradition of Irish pugilists throughout the ages (see picture), Conor is a stand-up brawler with fists like rocks and a great instinct for the game.  Not that his opponent, Max Holloway, is any kind of a pushover, but I feel like the UFC is setting Conor up for a triumphant debut in front of America’s most receptive city for an Irishman.



But don’t count Holloway out just yet.  He’s a creative, unpredictable fighter, and he’s just as at home on his feet as McGregor is.  Besides, we’ve seen the UFC’s plans fall through in the past, as in Cat Zingano’s recent face-crushing victory over Meisha Tate.



I’ve got mixed feelings about Beantown, myself.  My grandfather (RIP, 6 months past) was the son of Greek immigrants, and grew up in depression-era Boston.  So I have roots in the city, so to speak.  At the same time, Boston is full to the brim with douchebags.  So while I’m picking McGregor here (and I really do like the kid), I also crack a smile every time I think about how salty Boston will be if he gets knocked out.



One last note: if you’re the gambling type, and happen to reside in a municipality with legal sportsbooks, I would put a small amount on John Howard over Uriah Hall.  While Uriah will most likely come away with the win, Howard, who is currently rated at +355 by 5Dimes, has enough of a chance and is so undervalued that this stands as a potentially profitable play.  Also, go ahead and take Sonnen/Shogun going over 2.5 rounds.  Like I said, unless Shogun gets a knockout, this thing should go the distance.  If you win on both, send a little of that gravy my way, eh?

But if you lose, I don’t want to hear about it.

Keep those hands up, protect yourselves at all times, and keep the action rolling.  This has been the Rabbit Punch.