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Prediction By Alexander K. Lee
Ben Askren vs. Robbie Lawler
Let’s get this out of the way first: Ben Askren would have been a perennial top-10 contender over the last few years if here were on the UFC roster. With that out of the way, Robbie Lawler is a rough debut matchup for him.
Don’t get it twisted, Askren’s elite wrestling will give Lawler plenty of headaches. Lawler has high-level takedown defense, but has been put on his back by the likes of Donald Cerrone and Matt Brown, two fighters who aren’t exactly known for their power doubles. What usually saves Lawler from being smothered is his ability to limit his opponents’ offense on the mat. This was evident in fights against Johny Hendricks and Cerrone, where neither man was able to do much with their takedowns.
Both fighters are coming off of long layoffs, and I think it will take longer for Lawler to find his rhythm on the feet than it will for Askren to locate his grappling game. There are few fighters in the world better than Askren at getting a fight to the mat. He excels at chain wrestling and finding the slightest openings to unbalance and trip his opponents. Regardless of who Lawler has fought before, Askren’s wrestling is on another level and Lawler is going to have to deal with that as soon as the bell rings.
If he can keep his composure as he usually does, it’s going to be harder and harder for Askren to avoid standing with Lawler, and Lawler will obviously have a huge advantage striking. This is a close call that is entirely based on how much faith you have in Lawler’s takedown defense, but I see it holding up long enough for him stay upright and eventually knock out Askren.
Pick: Lawler
https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/3/2/18245869/ufc-235-predictions
Ben Askren vs. Robbie Lawler
Let’s get this out of the way first: Ben Askren would have been a perennial top-10 contender over the last few years if here were on the UFC roster. With that out of the way, Robbie Lawler is a rough debut matchup for him.
Don’t get it twisted, Askren’s elite wrestling will give Lawler plenty of headaches. Lawler has high-level takedown defense, but has been put on his back by the likes of Donald Cerrone and Matt Brown, two fighters who aren’t exactly known for their power doubles. What usually saves Lawler from being smothered is his ability to limit his opponents’ offense on the mat. This was evident in fights against Johny Hendricks and Cerrone, where neither man was able to do much with their takedowns.
Both fighters are coming off of long layoffs, and I think it will take longer for Lawler to find his rhythm on the feet than it will for Askren to locate his grappling game. There are few fighters in the world better than Askren at getting a fight to the mat. He excels at chain wrestling and finding the slightest openings to unbalance and trip his opponents. Regardless of who Lawler has fought before, Askren’s wrestling is on another level and Lawler is going to have to deal with that as soon as the bell rings.
If he can keep his composure as he usually does, it’s going to be harder and harder for Askren to avoid standing with Lawler, and Lawler will obviously have a huge advantage striking. This is a close call that is entirely based on how much faith you have in Lawler’s takedown defense, but I see it holding up long enough for him stay upright and eventually knock out Askren.
Pick: Lawler
https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/3/2/18245869/ufc-235-predictions
so uh, it's not like they're some mystical god who sees the future
