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With U.F.C. 170 now in the books, all eyes are turning towards Dallas, Texas for U.F.C 171 on March 15. The American Airlines Center will be rocking with what is an absolutely stacked card. Back in december after then champion Georges St-Pierre vacated the welterweight belt for personal reasons. A hole was left to see what 170lb. fighter is the best in the world. Filling these two spots the UFC has put # 1 ranked Johny "Bigg Rigg" Hendricks vs #3 ranked "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler which could turn out to be an epic main event. Co-Main event of the evening puts Carlos Condit vs Tyron Woodley. With so many amazing fights on this card I will give a breakdown of my favorite matchups for the night.
Kelvin Gastelum vs # 14 Rick Story
The main fight on the prelim card looks to be a good one. Gastelum brings in his 8-0 record against an always tough and game Story. Gastelum vs Story is an interesting matchup in both have a strong stand up game and very good wrestling and ground game. I think the gameplan is very much the same for both fighters, use the jab to set up strong hooks. The main difference i see is that Gastelum may want to use more of a ground and pound approach where as Story may want to keep the fight standing and keep the pressure on. Gastelum is an up and coming young mma talent, but i think Story uses his veteran composure and strong hands to pull of a victory.
#7 Jake Shields vs #12 Hector Lombard
With back to back wins over Tyron Woodley and Demain Maia, Jake Shields will step into the cage with a very dangerous Hector Lombard. In what is on paper, a classic wrestler/BJJ black belt in Shields vs a Judo/ Heavy handed striker in Lombard. I find this to be an interesting matchup because I feel that Lombard has a major advantage at the beginning of the fight with his very strong strikes, If Shields can weather the onslaught on the first round, He could possibly wear down Lombard. The most trouble Lombard has had, was going deep into the later rounds. Lombard has already said that he will K.O. shields, so this should be an interesting fight in how both fighter approach this fight.
# 2 Carlos Condit vs #12 Tyron Woodley
The Co-Main Event of the night could have one or two of the nights bonus's written all over it. We very well could be looking at the next challenger for the welterweight belt crowned after this fight. Woodley is an up and coming fighter, who has very explosive strikes and strong wrestling to go with it. Woodley's power in his hands can put any 170 lb. fighter to sleep with one shot. Condit is a veteran of the octagon who has been in wars with the best the ufc has to offer. Condit is a true MMA fighter, he is solid in every aspect of the game. Very good stand up, with a great ground game. I think if Condit can slip the shots of Woodley and land a few strikes while taking the fight to the ground, he has a great chance of winning and securing a title shot. The gameplan for Woodley needs to be stay very agressive and cut the ring off so that he can box Condit in and land some power shots to set up his takedowns. Once on top he needs to rain down shots to finish the fight. No matter how it ends it should be in the running for fight of the night.
#1 Johny Hendricks vs #3 Robbie Lawler
The Main Event will crown and new welterweight champion. After losing his last fight to the then champ Georges St-Pierre in a controversial decision, Johny Hendricks looks to come back and claim the belt that should have been his after the last fight. Hendricks is an all american wrestler with dynamite in his left hand. Beating some the best fighters in the game today, he seems to be determined to become champion. On the other side of the cage is Robbie Lawler. Lawler is a veteran of MMA and no stranger to the UFC. Since coming back to the UFC Lawler has been on a tear, finding ways to win over the top contenders. This fight matches up two fighters who can stand in the middle of the cage and throw leather. I think the difference in this fight is the wrestling abilities of Hendricks. If Hendricks can put lawler on his back and dictate how the fight will go, He will leave the cage with the belt around his waist. The key for Lawler is to use his veteran knowlege and toughness to try and land one of those killer blows to end the fight. I have hendricks winning this fight, But this is a fight ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN!!!!!
