 vs
UFC
77 Hostile Territory
Allan Belcher vs Kalib Starnes
Saturday October 20, 2007 10PM EST
Belcher +115
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This UFC mixed martial arts fight between Allan “the Talent” Belcher (10-3) and Kalib Starnes (8-1-1) is going to be a tough one at UFC 77: Hostile Territory. On paper Starnes has the better fighting background with a better all round fight game. Kalib was an early odd on favorite to win the Ultimate Fighter Reality series (TUF) but many questioned his heart and work ethic.
Starnes has the talent but everyone is questioning his heart and ability to train properly. Back in British Columbia, Canada he does not train with world class fighters at his Team Revolution camp. He has been rumored to take time off and not train as hard as he should. Perhaps all his partying and lifestyle is getting the better of him before he is a real superstar. Starnes last fight was a three round decision win over Chris Leben at UFC 71 - Liddell vs. Jackson which was a boring fight versus an below average fighter.
Starnes is a much better fighter than Leben yet he gassed at the end of the first round as he tried to coast. Again people are questioning his heart and training. Starnes is listed as a Brazilian jujitsu fighter but his base and technique is not from official BJJ but more of a modified Jujitsu. Kalib signed on with American Top Team in July 2007 but he travels back and forth to Canada to train at Team Revolution. This shows that he is not a committed fighter and just goes back to his home club and train with lesser opponents. At ATT Din Thomas, Denis Kang, Jeff Monson, Marcus "Maximus" Aurelio, Thiago Pitbull Alves, Wilson Gouveia, Graison Tibau Alves, Benji Radach and Yves Edwards all train there. Who trains at Team Revolution?
Exactly.
Will Starnes be able to put the work in to be a top MMA fighter like the rest of the ATT fighters or will he just waste his ability by continuing to party away his talent. Alan Belcher has better striking abilities with his Muay Thai but has surprising BJJ defense skills. His ability to defend the takedown is a key to this fight and Starnes does not have an overpowering ground game to take him down. Yes, he is technically better but that’s not enough.
Six of Alan Belchers fights have come by KO and the three losses that he has had (Kendall Grove, Yushin Okami and Marvin Eastman) have all been better strikers than him. Starnes striking ability is good but not anything for Belcher to be worried about. Kalib has better BJJ skills but not enough skills to overpower him. Belcher will be able to sprawl and defend Kalib’s takedowns and will keep the fight standing.
This is a make or break fight for both fighters as one will probably stay in the UFC and the other one might not be invited back. Both fighters have the talent to breakout as they have been able to beat lesser talent but both fighters have not been able to beat the upper echelon fighters like Okami or Kendall Grove.
Bottom Line: Belcher may not be able to KO Starnes but he will look better and be in better shape. The Talent will press the action in this fight as Starnes fighting style is more passive. I don’t like Starnes fight style. He lumbers in and is not light on his feet. This will prove detrimental to him in this fight as he is fighting a powerful striker. Belcher has great kicks and elbows and Starnes will not be able to move out of the way. He will get hit and hit often.
All the talent in the world doesn't help you if you don't train. Belcher wins by out working Kalib in a three round decision
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