UFC on FOX 7 HP Pavilion, San Jose, California Saturday, April 20, 2013 Heavyweight Fight: Daniel Cormier vs. Frank Mir Fight Breakdown: The co-main event of UFC on FOX 7 is a heavyweight bout between Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion Daniel Cormier and former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir. Cormier is currently a -420 favorite (bet $420 to win $100) at Several Bookmakers, while Mir is a +355 underdog (bet $100 to win $355). Cormier (11-0) won the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix with his big victories over Josh Barnett, Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva and Jeff Monson and will be making his UFC debut in this bout fresh off a TKO victory in a squash match against Dion Staring at the Strikeforce Finale. The 34-year-old Cormier was an Olympian in free style wrestling for Team USA and his mat skills have transferred well into MMA as he’s undefeated and coming off a string of big victories over solid opposition. In addition to his high-level grappling, Cormier has devastating knockout power and because he’s a smaller heavyweight he’s extremely fast. Against Mir Cormier has to keep the fight standing and land his punches and kicks, because it would be foolish to play into the wheel house of Mir, who prefers to fight his opponents on the ground. Mir (16-6) is the former UFC heavyweight champion and is one of the greatest heavyweight fighters in the MMA history. As such, he’s the perfect test to see if Cormier is the real deal. But don’t let the matchmaking fool you, because Mir wants to win this fight and get back into title contention, and he moved to the desert to work with Greg Jackson to show he’s serious about this fight. The 33-year-old is a BJJ black belt and has won nine fights via submission with a variety of different finishing moves, including a kimura on Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira that won “Submission of the Year” in 2011. On the feet Mir does have knockout power of his own (three T/KO wins) but his chin is a big question mark at this point of his career as he’s been finished by strikes six times, including in his last outing against Junior dos Santos at UFC 146. Against Cormier Mir will have to use his size advantage and grind on Cormier and try to take him to the ground, because if he stands and trades, it’s not likely to end pretty for him. Fight Prediction: Mir is going to try for the takedowns right away but he’s not going to get them on the Olympic wrestler Cormier. Cormier will keep the fight standing and start to use his fast hands to land powerful combinations on Mir, eventually hurting him and them swarming on him to get the TKO stoppage. Adam’s Pick: Cormier via TKO (click for latest MMA odds) Adam’s Recommended Play: I don’t see any way that Cormier loses this fight so even at the hefty -420 price tag I do like him as a parlay key. Also take a look at Cormier via T/KO when the props are released, but only play it at + money.
