UFC on Fox 13 has a premiere heavyweight main event.
No. 2-ranked contender Junior dos Santos takes on No. 4-ranked Stipe Miocic with the winner moving to the front of the line for a title shot. The winner could take on interim champion Fabricio Werdum should Cain Velasquez remain on the shelf, or they position themselves as the next challenger for the winner of the unification bout.
Either way this fight has high stakes on the line.
Dos Santos has been away since receiving a beating at the hands of Velasquez, and Miocic has been on a bit of a run as of late. It will be interesting to see the improvements both have made as they have to bring their A-game to get the W.
Here are three keys to victory for both heavyweights.
Dos Santos' Keys to Victory
Fight at Distance
Dos Santos loves to strike, and Miocic is a developing striker with big power. The former heavyweight champion needs to keep him on the outside.
Dos Santos has a stellar jab. He can pump it out into Miocic's face to keep him at bay. The jab is an underrated offensive weapon in MMA. It helps keep opponents on the outside, and assists in shutting down their offensive game plan.
The Brazilian can stifle Miocic with the jab. On the outside Miocic will find it hard to connect on Dos Santos, and it will give Dos Santos many opportunities to turn off his lights with a big power shot.
Take What Miocic Gives
He does not need to force the action in this fight. He should simply take the fight as it comes and let Miocic make the mistakes. The pressure is on Miocic to perform.
Dos Santos should have the advantage in most areas in this fight, and as such he just needs to take advantage of what Miocic gives him. Dos Santos doesn't have to force anything.
Keep a Consistent Pace
While Dos Santos should take what Miocic gives him to work with, he should also make sure to keep a consistent pace.
Miocic has never gone past the third round. We don't know how he will handle the championship rounds. If Dos Santos keeps him active, not allowing him to take a round off, he will test Miocic's cardio should the fight last that long.
A consistent pace does not mean a high pace. Dos Santos doesn't need to push it. He just has to keep Miocic working in each round. Do not give him a catch to catch recoup during a full round.
Miocic's Keys to Victory
Win in the Clinch
Miocic is not going to win this fight by boxing with Dos Santos. As such, that means he has to get in close.
Miocic has to win those clinch battles. Whether it's dirty boxing or positioning against the fence he has to be successful while laced up with Dos Santos.
The clinch is also a great way to grind on Dos Santos. Miocic has to try to change levels and make him defend takedowns. Velasquez was extremely successful in close. Miocic is not Velasquez, but he is an athletic heavyweight who can try to replicate some of the things that made Velasquez dominate Dos Santos.
Miocic has to win the clinch battles.
Be Successful with Takedowns
Dos Santos has good takedown defense and a good submission game, but Miocic has to get him down at some point.
It is likely that Dos Santos will pop back up, but as long as Miocic continues to stick to him like glue it'll make it hard for Dos Santos to be successful. It turns the former champion into a defensive mode. Miocic is the one that has to push the fight and attack.
Don't Get in a Firefight
The one thing Miocic cannot do on Saturday night is get into a firefight with Dos Santos. If he stands and exchanges, he will get knocked out in brutal fashion. He is just not on Dos Santos' level standing.
Yes, Miocic has KO power and is continuing to improve on his stand-up, but this is a bad matchup to try and prove something to everyone. Dos Santos will send Miocic out on his shield should he want a boxing match.
Miocic is a dog in this fight, but he is a live dog. He has the athleticism and talent to upset Dos Santos in his return to the cage, but he has to be disciplined and come in with a great game plan. Saturday's main event will be a high-level heavyweight tilt. That is plenty to be excited for.
Count me as someone who can't wait to see what the game plans for each fighter are when they enter the cage.
