UFC 134 Rio Preview Part One: Thiago Tavares vs Spencer Fisher

Columns, Features, Previews, Top Story

Two of the more aggressive UFC lightweights will headline the Prelim portion of the card, as the always tenacious Thiago Tavares (15-4-1) faces the forever game Spencer ‘King’ Fisher (24-07). Both fighters will be intent on bouncing back from defeats in a division stacked from top to bottom with incredible talent.

At first glance the respective fighters may appear to have little in common, but upon entering the UFC they were both highly touted as top prospects that would make a big impact in the division. However, in MMA things can change very quickly and nowhere more so than in the UFC, as after several defeats you can find yourself not only being squeezed out of any title aspirations, but of employment in the premier promotion entirely.

Tavares came into the UFC unbeaten, having impressively dispatched of all twelve of his opponents, with ten of those victories ending by submission. This placed him aboard a hype train, with many tipping him to make his way into the title picture, but sadly for Tavares, that train slowed considerably with the first loss of his career to Tyson Griffin, came to a grinding halt against Matt Wiman, and flew off the tracks completely in his second knockout loss courtesy of a straight right hand by WEC graduate Shane Roller.

Fisher, a product of the famed Pat Milletich camp, is the sort of fighter you tend to take for granted, having made his debut over nine years ago. It is little wonder, having trained under such a respected pioneer of the sport, that he is known for his durable no-nonsense approach both in and out of the octagon. Though his window toward UFC gold has most certainly closed, he remains a dangerous veteran whose heart and willingness to trade has never been in question.

After the initial success Tavares had, he will be hoping that a return to his native Brazil will be just the remedy needed to ignite the Jiu Jitsu specialists faltering career. In recent bouts he has appeared to move away from those grappling roots, instead preferring to test his striking, resulting in mixed fortunes for the Brazilian Top Team fighter. Though his stand up has improved, he lacks raw knockout power and remains vulnerable, having seen his spirited flurries weathered by opponents, before succumbing to their less technical but more hurtful blows.

Fisher has been through many memorable wars both in the welter and lightweight divisions, most notably submitting former UFC welterweight challenger Thiago Alves, knocking out Matt Wiman via flying knee, and splitting a pair of highly entertaining bouts with Sam Stout. In recent times he has struggled to find the consistency needed, but has remained competitive in a shark infested weight-class, losing by decision to current Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar, Dennis Siver, and Ultimate Fighter winner Ross Pearson.

Tavares would be wise to focus on what earned him his place on the UFC roster, and take the fight to the ground as soon as possible, but with the crowd urging him on, and Fisher’s all action style, it would be no surprise if he were tempted into a fan friendly slug fest. Fisher is well rounded with great ground skills of his own, but the southpaw should have a major advantage on the feet fusing excellent Boxing with formidable Muay Thai. If he can coax Tavares into fighting his fight, then he has the tools to put the Brazilian away.

I expect a close contest, and though Fisher will be confident of producing another knockout, I believe Tavares superior ground skills, along with the sway of the crowd, will propel him to victory and earn him a razor thin split decision.

Luke Cho Yee is a writer from the UK who has followed MMA since before the term was coined, from the inception of the UFC to the glory days of PRIDE. A keen martial arts practitioner himself, he cannot wait to see how the sport continues to evolve.