UFC Fight Night 24 – Dan Hardy vs. Anthony Johnson Prediction
DAN HARDY vs. ANTHONY JOHNSON
Fight Overview: Dan Hardy, coming off two straight losses, looks to get back on track agaisnt the returning Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. Hardy has looked very vulnerable his last two fights and Johnson is a very impressive athlete, but it remains to be seen how much toll the injury, the long layoff, and the huge weight cut are going to have.
Hardy’s Strengths: Hardy is a very skilled and powerful striker who can hurt guys with his hands and feet. He also has decent takedown and submission defense and good escapes on the ground.
Hardy’s Weaknesses: He doesn’t have much offensive grappling at all and his chin can be exploited, as Carlos Condit showed. Johnson definitely has more power than Condit, so Hardy needs to be careful.
Johnson’s Strengths: Johnson has extremely powerful striking, is massive for the division, is an extremely physically strong guy, and has underrated wrestling and top control.
Johnson’s Weaknesses: Johnson, while talented, is still very raw. He also struggles mightily to make 170 pounds and is coming off a serious knee injury and a year-plus layoff.
The Verdict: This should be an extremely competitive fight. Johnson is the bigger, stronger, and more athletic fighter, but Hardy is the more experienced and technically proficient striker. Johnson has huge power, so Hardy is going to need to be careful, but Hardy is quicker and more accurate in the striking department, and his grappling defense should be enough to help him hold Johnson off on the ground if and when it goes there. I think Johnson’s layoff and huge weight cut are going to have an effect on his cardio, and as he begins to tire I expect Hardy to take control in the striking exchanges. Hardy by T/KO.
Fight Prediction: Dan Hardy by third round TKO.
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