Setanta.com previews and predicts the UFC 99 tussle between Marcus Davis and Dan Hardy.
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THE TALE OF THE TAPE
|
Marcus Davis |
Dan Hardy |
| Age |
35 |
27 |
| MMA record |
21-5-0 |
21-6-0-1NC |
| Height |
5ft 10 |
6ft |
| Weight |
170 |
170 |
| Last opponent |
Chris Lytle (W) |
Rory Markham (W) |
A fight filled with venom or a media-hyped case of handbags?
It does not matter. When all the smoke clears and Marcus Davis looks into Dan Hardy's eyes, we are set for one humdinger of a fight.
Davis has never been knocked out. Hardy has never been knocked out. Both arrive in Cologne intent on re-writing their own little bit of history.
Hardy doesn't like Davis' "plastic paddy gimmick". Davis detests Hardy's 'arrogance' and personal jibes at his sexuality. The line of professional trash talk has been crossed, these guys cannot bear the thought of losing to each other.
Hardy has never been better prepared. No illness like he had in the build-up to Akihiro Gono, no minor leg knock like he had in the build-up to Rory Markham.
The Outlaw's grappling skills have never been better, his fitness unquestionable. Six rounds of sparring against six different fighters with just a minute's break in between tells its own story, Hardy is training for far more than a three-round war.
Davis is bulking up, just as he did for the Mike Swick fight, which ended up grounded for near on 15 minutes. Back then Davis says he had to take the fight down due to injury. Saturday will tell us if he tries the same.
"The Irish Hand Grenade" has the ability to end things in one punch, his movement remains cunning and difficult to read from that southpaw stance that has been grounded in 15 years of combat. The 35-year-old will have to mix that boxing base with unpredictable takedown attempts in order to close the distance and ruin Hardy's rhythm.
Hardy hasn't even begun to show his full array of kicks. He will snap out the leg kick, keep Davis biting from distance, looking to tag the veteran whenever he rushes in.
The points game is Hardy's, the knock-out game is anybodys.
EXPERT'S VIEW: Hardy has to remain calm. The more the fight goes on, the more cocky he gets and the more he wants to engage. That is when Davis is most dangerous. Davis has sharp submissions but Eddie Bravo has Hardy well-versed off his back. Expect Hardy to dictate with a skilful display of striking.
PREDICTION: Hardy - unanimous decision