One fighter is looking to grab ahold of the next rung on the ladder that he recently let slip, while the other is looking to prove he is a contender in the division. This fight will sort out a lot or create even more confusion in an already jumbled 170 pound division.
Jon Fitch is coming off a recent decision victory over crafty veteran Akihiro Gono, but more importantly recovered after a devastating loss to Georges St. Pierre. Fitch is a great wrestler, though I won't say he's top notch, but only due to the fact that he's in the division that houses the best wrestler in all of mixed martial arts, Georges St. Pierre. Fitch is coming in looking for vengeance of sorts, hoping to avenge his teammate's loss to Thiago. Fitch should look to feel the standup out, finally deciding to take the fight to the ground. Look for him to work single and double-leg takedowns and employ some ground and pound while actively avoiding submission attempts.
Paulo Thiago is looking to add another American Kickboxing Academy fighter to his short list of victims. We saw very little, other than his devastating knockout of Josh Koscheck. From what I saw in that fight, he looked nervous and a little sloppy at times. I'm not so certain he is ready for someone of Jon Fitch's caliber. He'll look to somehow gain a dominant position on the ground against Fitch.(No easy task) Let's hope that Paulo hasn't fallen in love with haymakers as Gabriel Gonzaga did with headkicks, and sticks to a gameplan, because he'll need to fight a smart fight to stick with Fitch.
I see the two feeling each other out, shadow boxing for a minute or two. Then I see Fitch working a takedown and his ground and pound. This will be a reoccurring theme as Fitch outpoints Thiago for three rounds.
Result: Jon Fitch by Unanimous Decision.
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