UFC on FOX 4: August 4, 2012 Staples Center in Los Angeles, California UFC Welterweight Contender Mike Swick (-250) Profile: When Mike Swick (14-4) steps inside the Octagon at UFC on FOX 4, it will be nearly 30 months since his last fight when a darce choke caused him to tap out to Paulo Thiago at UFC 109. Misdiagnosed with a stomach disease, the 33-year-old Swick has been unable to keep on any mass whatsoever, and after a long rehabilitation, this original cast member of The Ultimate Fighter will be making his return to the UFC at welterweight. Known for his extremely aggressive style and his back-to-back 20-second knockouts that earned him the nickname “Quick” Swick, he comes back to the UFC with the strong element of ring rust possibly playing a huge factor in his upcoming fight against fellow welterweight contender DaMarques Johnson. UFC Welterweight Contender DaMarques Johnson (+200) Profile: Ultimate Fighter Team USA vs. Team UK runner-up DaMarques Johnson (16-10) has had an up-and-down run in the UFC. The 30-year-old’s entry into the promotion was met with a loss to James Wilks in the TUF 9 finale. However, Johnson was able to bounce back with two impressive wins after suffering that loss, earning Submission of the Night against Edgar Garcia and Knockout of the Night against Brad Blackburn. Since those back-to-back wins, he has tumbled into a pattern of splitting his fights. Falling first in ugly fashion to Matt Riddle by TKO, then rebounding with a victory against Mike Guymon before being submitted in a loss to Amir Sadollah. Johnson redeemed himself after the Sadollah fight with a first-round knockout of Clay Harvison, but then found himself on the wrong end of an armbar finish against UFC newcomer John Maguire at UFC on FUEL TV 2. Opening UFC on FOX 4 Odds Analysis: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas has made Swick a solid -25o favorite (bet $250 to win $100) against Johnson, who opened as a +200 underdog (bet $100 to win $200) according to the MMA odds. Swick is obviously getting a ton of respect in this situation despite coming off consecutive losses and being out of action for more than two years. But to his credit, he has worked extremely hard in making his return to the Octagon and was one of the top welterweight contenders prior to his absence. Johnson may be the ideal opponent for Swick to get back on track against considering he has dropped five of his past nine bouts and lost to the only decent fighters he faced recently during that stretch in Matthew Riddle and Amir Sadollah. This would definitely qualify as a signature win for Johnson, although MMA bettors can expect a very motivated Swick who will be difficult to beat here at UFC on FOX 4.
