Don’t forget Fitch vs. Palharaes at WSoF 16
As Darragh Murphy argues for Ireland’s SportsJoe, this weekend’s most intriguing MMA fight may be Rousimar Palhares v Jon Fitch in the WSoF.
There was a UFC Friday night in which the champion of a new division was decided. Saturday there is another UFC, with three literally gigantic fights.
However, as Darragh Murphy argues for Ireland’s SportsJoe, this weekend’s most intriguing MMA fight may be Palhares v Fitch, for the WSoF welterweight title. Both fighters were dropped by the UFC. Palhares was released for holding submissions for too long. Fitch was let go for a style of fighting that was not fan friendly, and for being in UFC president Dana White’s words “super f—ing expensive.”
Palhares has won 10 fights by heel hook. Fitch has not won by KO in since 19 fights ago. So how is the fight going to go?
The main area of intrigue ahead of tonight’s battle comes by wondering which wins, Fitch’s wrestling or Palhares’ Jiu Jitsu?
Fitch hasn’t won by KO/TKO since 2006 and his boxing is nothing to write home about so it’s hard to see him pulling off a win on his feet tonight.
So does he decide to take down the heel-hook machine? It appears that he must use his wrestling if he’s not going to outbox the Brazilian but then he puts himself right in Palhares’ game. A conundrum indeed.
Perhaps Fitch will try to keep the fight in the clinch where he can use his grinding pressure and dirty boxing to rough up the WSOF welterweight champion.
If that’s the case, what does Palhares do? Does he, and can he, take Fitch down to attempt to initiate a sub?
And finally, what happens if Palhares does grab a hold of Fitch’s foot and twist? Does he hang on and do serious damage to the challenger?
Whatever happens, we’ll be watching!
WSoF airs at 9:00 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network. So UG, what are you watching tonight?