Preview: UFC 206 ‘Holloway vs. Pettis’

Featherweights

Cub Swanson (23-7) vs Doo Ho Choi (15-1)

THE MATCHUP: Choi is what old-time boxing heads used to call “the coming man.” Though the Korean firecracker is just 25, analysts have had their eyes on him for years, and he has delivered on expectations, knocking out all three of his UFC opponents in less than five minutes combined. In Swanson, however, Choi meets his toughest test -- a cagey veteran who, while looking a little past his best, has a deep well of elite experience from which to draw and enough power to earn any young gun’s respect.

Choi is a brawler at heart, but he has honed his style into that of an aggressive counter fighter. He pressures his opponent by proximity, staying close enough to threaten at all times, and then unleashes vicious counters when his adversary throws in desperation. Keeping one’s toes in the pocket at all times does carry some risk. For one, it means the opponent is constantly near enough to hit Choi or attempt a takedown.

Swanson can be inconsistent, which makes him a frustrating man for whom to root. At times, he is all discipline, sticking his opponent with the jab and busily feinting to line up power strikes; at others, he is full of bluster, recklessly committing huge quantities of energy to flashy spinning attacks and winging combos; and at times, Swanson is strangely meek and desperate. It is impossible for anyone except perhaps Swanson himself to predict which version will show up on fight night and for how long.

THE ODDS: Choi (-220), Swanson (+185)

THE PICK: Choi has some bad habits. He keeps his head quite high when he throws, a dangerous habit for a pocket boxer, and rarely moves his head in any systematic way. He is a little too open to takedowns and a little too willing to brawl. Someday soon, these flaws will hurt him, and he will lose. The question: Is Swanson the man to exploit those flaws? I am not so sure. Swanson is often wild and predictable with his punches. He tends to struggle when he is pressured and put on the defensive; and he is not a strong enough wrestler to keep Choi down. The pick is Choi by third-round knockout.

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