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| (Photo courtesy of Zuffa) |
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| (Photo courtesy of Zuffa) |
Alex Caceres is a big bantamweight, he has long arms and long legs, Dominick Cruz has all of the same advantages. Caceres has an ever improving striking game and a slick submission game that could cause Dominick Cruz some serious problems. His striking is not yet up to the standard of Dominick Cruz but if they end up on the ground, Cruz could be in serious trouble. Caceres is currently ranked #13 in the world and faces Urijah Faber at UFC 175, if he wins, it could catapult him into the top ten and then a bout with former Batmanweight Champion Cruz is a serious possibility. If they are to fight, Caceres' best option would be for him to get the fight to the ground, easier said than done, especially against talented wrestler Dominick Cruz. Prediction: Dominick Cruz via Unanimous Decision.
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| (Photo courtesy of Zuffa) |
Faber and Cruz have fought twice before and have won one-a-piece. Faber submitted Cruz at WEC 26 but Cruz rebounded and defeated Faber via Unanimous Decision at UFC 132. It is pretty evident that the two men do not like each other, and with Faber's excellent form of late, the rematch may well be set up. Cruz's last fight was a victory over Demetrious Johnson over 2 years ago. Faber was on a four fight win streak, defeating the likes of Iuri Alcantara and Scott Jorgensen. Faber challenged former Champion Renan Barao for the belt in February after Cruz pulled out of the UFC 169 bout. 'The California Kid's' 4 fight win streak was brought to a end in the very first round, when Barao finished him with punches. Although Faber is coming off a loss, he is still ranked #2 in the Bantamweight division and would provide a high caliber opponent for Dominick Cruz's return. Prediction: Urijah Faber via Unanimous Decision.
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| (Photo courtesy of Zuffa) |
Michael McDonald is 23 years old and he has already racked up some of the most vicious knockouts in UFC history, he has also challenged for a UFC championship. He challenged then-champion Renan Barao at UFC On Fuel TV and was arguably the first man to really test Barao in the UFC. McDonald has lethal hands and excellent wrestling. Since joining the UFC in 2010, McDonald has fought the best in his division, he has beaten guys such as Brad Pickett, Chris Cariaso and Miguel Torres. McDonald's power and wrestling may cause Cruz some problems. Cruz will need to stay on his feet and use movement throughout the whole fight to avoid McDonald's power. Prediction: Dominick Cruz via Unanimous Decision.
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| (Photo courtesy of Zuffa) |
Raphael Assuncao is ranked #3 in the bantamweight division and has defeated current champion TJ Dillashaw, he is near the top of the pile and is may be the next challenger to the bantamweight throne. He is currently on a 6 fight win streak. Since his last loss to Erik Koch in his UFC debut he has beaten high caliber opponents such as Vaughan Lee, Mike Easton and training partner of Renan Barao, Johnny Eduardo. Assuncao has speed and power, he would be a tough test for Dominick Cruz. This is a fight Cruz will have to be on his game to win. Prediction: Dominick Cruz via Unanimous Decision.
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| (Photo courtesy of Zuffa) |
Renan Barao was dominated for five round by TJ Dillashaw at UFC 173 on Saturday, it was his first loss since 2005, he lost the championship and in my opinion, doesn't deserve an immediate rematch, what I do think the UFC should do, is set up a Cruz-Barao fight. After the beating he took, he will be recovering for quite a while, so why not keep him on the shelf whilst he's recovering, then when Dominick Cruz returns, put the former champions in the cage together. Dillashaw's movement was too much for Barao to handle on Saturday, Cruz's movement is one of his best aspects. Cruz also has great wrestling, but I think Barao would be able to stuff most if not all of Cruz's attempts. Considering what has just happened, this fight makes perfect sense. A former champion who lost his belt due to numerous injuries fighting a guy that transformed the bantamweight division, winner fights for the title? Why not do that? Barao was dominant until TJ Dillashaw came along and Cruz was dominant until he sustained numerous injuries. Prediction: Renan Barao via Submission.
Who do you think Dominick Cruz should face when he returns to the octagon? Tweet me and let me know @JohnKingMMA
-John.
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