Count on all three of Saturday's Fight Night bonuses coming from the main card at UFC on Fox 12. That's no slight to the solid lineup of preliminary bouts, but there seems to be a few can't-miss performances on tap in the main card.
There's no better example than the epic main event matchup between "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler and "The Immortal" Matt Brown. Very seldom will you see a bout where both fighters' styles, mentality and professional motivation align so appropriately for a war.
Somebody is Going to Get Knocked Out
The fighters' quotes leading up to the brawl completely support the thought that something wicked this way comes.
Per Erik Fontanez of MMA Weekly, Brown says “One thing about Lawler is he likes to stay on the feet; he likes to bang. He better [expletive] knock me out or I’m going to knock him out. It’s going to be one or the other. He better knock me out.”
A lot of fighters say things like that, but it doesn't necessarily translate in the Octagon. With guys like Brown, you know he absolutely means every word.
Though not as dramatic, Lawler aims to finish as well. He told John Morgan of MMA Junkie:
“He’s a really good opponent, but I’m not looking to go back and forth. I’m looking to dictate and dominate this fight. That’s what I trained to do.”
This will be the Fight of the Night.
Rumble Will Grab a Bonus
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira is a legend, but at 38 years old, he's over the hill. He's also facing a determined and nasty Anthony "Rumble" Johnson.
Marc Raimondi of Fox Sports doesn't like Nogueira's chances.
The path to victory seems slim for Lil' Nog. You can't completely rule out a guy who has a victory over Rashad Evans within the last two years. However, what will he be able to accomplish against Johnson? Davis wasn't able to take Johnson down and Johnson is an explosive, technical striker. It doesn't seem like it'll be a great night for the Brazilian.
After dismantling grappling wizard Phil Davis in his last fight, Johnson looks prepared to put a beating on "Little Nog." Johnson will have too much speed, power and explosiveness. Look for him to score an impressive TKO victory.
Dennis "The Menace" Bermudez Will Overwhelm Clay Guida
Guida is an old 32. He's had 42 professional fights, and many of them haven't been conducive to sustaining a long career. His style is one that puts him in line to take punishment. He has heart and a good chin, but like many brawlers, the time comes when the heart and chin don't make up for the erosion in skill.
Guida is at that point.
Bermudez has quietly won six fights in a row after a three-fight skid, including losing his UFC debut to Diego Brandao in 2011.
His quickness will be too much for Guida, and it'll lead to a knockdown, subsequent submission victory and a Performance of the Night bonus for "The Menace."
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