UFC Live 3 Preview

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Middleweights
C.B. Dollaway vs. Mark Munoz

The Matchup: An all-wrestler matchup is usually a treat, given the fact that both combatants are fully committed to putting the other guy on his back. The psychological battle in this kind of match is fascinating to watch unfold, as fighters can get sucked into trying to prove a point instead of using all the tools available, such as striking or submission attempts.

Dollaway-Munoz is a showdown between two middleweights who need a win to elevate themselves into the organization’s Top 10. Both lurk just outside it, and victory will likely come to the guy who leaves just a little more in the cage after a grueling battle. A showdown between two standout wrestlers seems to invite the most obvious comparison -- their grappling pedigrees -- instead of comparing how both have translated their wrestling skills into MMA. So far, each has done it fairly well.

Munoz, an NCAA champion for Oklahoma State University at 197 pounds, has clawed his way back up the ranks after a disastrous Octagon debut against Matt Hamill at UFC 96 in 2009, when he was knocked out and shown to be simply too small for 205. Since then, he has adjusted nicely to 185, displaying potent ground-and-pound in doing so. Munoz’s ability to unleash huge shots with slight openings while an opponent is on his back is a fearsome thing to watch. His standup game has progressed somewhat, though in his decision loss to Yushin Okami at UFC Live 2, it was clear he still has to improve on his feet if he wants to compete at the next level.

Dollaway has superior submissions and is a canny grappler himself. The former Arizona State University All-American submitted wily veteran Joe Doerksen in his last outing at UFC 119, and his standup is probably somewhere near Munoz’s level, though he does not hit as hard.

This one comes down to setups for what will be the momentum-changing takedown. Munoz will have to close the range and would be best served using a body lock to try and get Dollaway down. Munoz has a tendency to rely on his leg takedowns too much; he yielded very little in endless takedown attempts on Okami.

Munoz is also extremely hard to keep down, and he is probably a bit stronger physically than Dollaway. They represent the perfect style complement for a tough, drawn-out bout, and this one will probably be a carbon copy of Munoz’s gut-check decision win over Dollaway’s teammate and friend, Aaron Simpson, at UFC 123. Like Munoz, Simpson was an amazing collegiate wrestler, but “The Philippine Wrecking Machine” had just a little too much.

The Pick: Munoz by decision.

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