UFC 120: Breaking Down Browne/Kongo and Wilks/Patrick

Added on Oct 15, 2010 by John Petit in

UFC & MMA

Travsis Browne (10-0) +165

Cheick Kongo (15-6-1) -200

Travis Browne is fighting in his second fight in the UFC after his first win against James McSweeny at the TUF 11 Finale. Browne has yet to taste defeat, but to be frank he has never fought a veteran like Cheick Kongo. Although Kongo has been on the losing side, 6 times (four in the UFC,) he also has 12 appearances in the octagon alone. Browne has heavy hands, and his 8 out of 10 knockouts should attest to that. However, he just hasn’t fought the same level of competition as Kongo. If he can stand and trade with Cheick, and finish him in this fight, he will rocket himself up the Heavyweight Ladder.

Cheick Kongo is an ex-muay thai champion that has traded punches and kicks with some of the heaviest hitters in mixed martial arts. Before submitting Paul Buentello, to strikes, he was a on two fight losing streak. You shouldn’t let that throw you though, because those two losses were to former champ Frank Mir, and number one contender Cain Velasquez. He has prominent wins over Mirko Crocop and Antonio Hardonk, but is also responsible for one of the most brutal finishes in 2008 over Mostapha Al Turk. The destruction even had Joe Rogan on his feet, from the booth, screaming at the ref to stop the fight. Yes, THAT kind of destruction.

If you like picking upsets then this is the fight for you, but you will be likely trying to explain to your fellow fight fans why you did such a thing for a long time to come. Kongo will use his striking to keep Browne at bay in this fight, and eventually send him to his back. Although Browne’s guard game hasn’t been tested, he is going to need to a miracle if he is laying under a ground and pound specialist such as Kongo. I expect Kong to put away Travis Browne early in the second round.

James Wilks (7-3) +140

Claude Patrick (12-1) -165

James Wilks is the season 9 winner of The Ultimate Fighter where he beat DaMarques Johnson to score himself the contract. He is currently 7-3, with his most recent loss coming from TUF alum Matt Brown via TKO. The one thing Wilks has been successful at is using his clinch, and rag-dolling peopl while he beats him them up. The bad news for James is the fact that Claude Patrick knows how to grapple, and he knows how to finish fights.

Claud Patrick is 1-0 in the UFC, and is 12-1 overall. Although he has taken some time off here and there, he hasn’t lost a fight since 2002 against UFC vet Drew McFedries. The ONLY fight of his to go to the judges card. He has 3 wins by TKO, and 9 wins by submission, all of which were Guillotine Chokes. Patrick knows how to use his positional wrestling to wear down his opponents, and he is always looking out to grab everyones neck. He isn’t in there to “showcase his talent, or “test himself,” he is in there to win by either putting fist to face or chocking you out.

Wilks needs to stay on the outside in this fight, and use his punches and low kicks to take the steam out of Claude’s wrestling. That being said, I expect Claude Patrick to press wilks against the fence until he makes a mistake. Claude will grab a hold of Jame’s neck, and force him to tap in the end of round one.