This fight was originally scheduled for the undercard but was bumped up to the main card earlier this week when Matt Brown had to pull out of his fight against Carlos Condit due to a back injury. There were 7 other preliminary fights that the UFC could have picked from, but you’d be hard pushed to remember the last time Joe Lauzon or Mac Danzig were involved in a boring fight. They are both well known for putting on exciting fights, but despite their credentials as being exciting UFC veterans, both Joe Lauzon and Mac Danzig find themselves in difficult positions going into their fight on Saturday night.
The UFC has formed a habit of releasing fighters who lose 3 fights in a row. Joe Lauzon and Mac Danzig both go into this fight on the back of a 2 fight losing streak, which means that the loser of this fight could be looking for a new employer come Monday morning.
In several interviews both fighters have addressed the importance of winning on Saturday night and have openly spoken about the pressures of having to fight when your job is on the line. They’ve both seemed fine with the idea, stating that the pressure drives them on to perform better. They have also been complimentary towards one another by pointing out that the UFC likes to keep it’s most exciting fighters on the roster. Since Danzig and Lauzon are well known for putting on exciting fights, another loss for either fighter wouldn’t necessarily mean the end, it just puts them in a very dangerous position…
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OUR PICK FOR THIS FIGHT…
The odds favour Joe Lauzon in this fight and we would have to agree with that. Joe’s recent losses have come against a higher calibre of opponent than Danzig’s and he also has more ways in which he can win this fight. Danzig is probably the more powerful fighter and he does possess one punch knock out power, but Lauzon is one of the toughest guys in the UFC’s Lightweight Division and only Anthony Pettis has managed to knock him out in the last 4 years. We’ve seen Lauzon endure so much punishment and just keep coming forward and I’m unconvinced as to whether Danzig is capable of keeping up with pace that Lauzon sets.
Danzig’s run in the UFC has been disappointing since he won the Ultimate Fighter back in 2007. Since winning the show he has only won 4 fights out of 11 and all the people he has beaten are no longer fighting in the UFC due to poor performances.
In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Lauzon hinted at wanting to take this fight to the ground. Danzig has really good takedown defence and can handle himself on the ground, but Lauzon should be able to outwork him to win this fight.
Joe Lauzon has beaten much better opponents that Danzig and has proven over time that he is an extremely tough opponent for anyone in the UFC’s Lightweight division. I expect him to outwork Danzig and push the pace of this fight, eventually winning via a hard fought decision.
This has got all the makings of fight of the night and I really wouldn’t be surprised if the UFC kept both of these guys around for just a little bit longer.
JOE LAUZON TO WIN[divider]
BEST ODDS AVAILABLE FOR THIS UFC FIGHT…
The best odds for this fight can be found at [adrotate group=”6″].
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UFC BETTING TIPS FOR UFC ON FOX 9…
Demetrious Johnson v Joseph Benavidez
Michael McDonald v Urijah Faber
Joe Lauzon v Mac Danzig
Cody McKenzie v Sam Stout
