|
UFC Fight for the Troops
December 10th, 2008 6 PM PST
Mike Swick vs Jonathan Goulet
UFC Betting Pick: Mike Swick
Bet this MMA UFC fight at Bodog Life
UFC Middleweight fight: Mike “Quick” Swick vs Jonathan “The Road Warrior” Goulet
Mike “Quick” Swick (12-2-0) has nothing to prove. His only losses have been to a good fighter in Chris Leben back in 04, and the amazing powerhouse that is Okami. His wins are a who's who of rising stars that he personally cut down in their prime. Joe Riggs, David Loiseau, Burkman. Where are they now? Two are out of the UFC, Burkman looks like he is on the way out. Mike's less of a gatekeeper at 185, and more of a vengeful hammer.
Swick has made a sudden shift from flashy, first round knock outs to a more measured three round approach. Te last couple of years have been about decisions for Mike, which isn't necessarily a good switch, but he's won 3 out of 4, which ain't bad. He still has the power and skill to end things quickly, but he doesn't force it. He has a mean standing guillotine choke, but knows that strength isn't his only strength. Good eyes, quick hands, and excellent judgement in the ring all contribute to Mike's success.
He's up against an above average fighter in Jonathan Goulet. But as I've said, Mike has made a career out of beating above average fighters. I think that we'll see a confident and energetic Swick on the 10th, and he's not going to disappoint the troops. That having been said, this is a welterweight fight, and if you noticed from that earlier list, he normally fights at 185. Mike is a machine, and has been training hard and looked good for the Davis fight at 170, so I don't foresee any issues.
Jonathan “The Road Warrior” Goulet (22-9-0) is one of those wanderers that fights as much as he can, in any show that he can. There's nothing wrong with getting experience, and fighting 7 times in 2007 is certainly one way to do that! The problem comes in two painful departments: Injuries and exposing your weaknesses. He's been blessed to have a fairly injury free return to the UFC, so that isn't a problem. Other than being cursed with a long, silly nickname, the guy is fine!
Goulet's training is another story, however. He left Fabiano's BJJ camp with only a blue belt, then switched coaches. He trains 6 times a week, twice a day, but it doesn't seem as intense or evolved as most fighters. They say some guys don't need a lot of training. I don't think Jonathan is one of those guys. There are times in the ring or the cage where he looks a bit sloppy, a bit unfocused. When you're about to face a guy who's main skill is throwing punches in bunches with incredible accuracy, being unfocused can easily turn into a permanent state, if you know what I mean.
Even if he could convince me that his training is OK, I'm worried about his results. Of his 9 losses, 7 of them have been in the first round. Against Swick, that seems to be a self fulfilling prophecy. You can't be one of those guys who starts slow or needs to get hit a few times when you're facing a dynamo who earned his nickname by multiple first-minute victories. That doesn't bode well. The good news is, Jonathan does have a fair number of first round wins under his belt, so maybe he'll be OK. But that isn't a gamble I would take.
Bottom Line: The guy who loves first round knockouts is going up against the guy who tends to get knocked out in the first round. Though it isn't a sure thing give Swick's gear change, I think we're going to see the old Mike in the ring on the 10th. If that's the case...
Expect a highlight reel first round KO by Swick.
Bet
on the UFC at Bookmaker.com - Where The UFC Line Originates
»
Free Mixed Martial Arts Picks Archive «
|
vs
