What: UFC on FX 4
Where: Revel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey
When: Friday, the eight-fight FUEL card starts at 6 p.m. ET and the four-fight FX card starts at 9.
Main Event: Gray Maynard vs. Clay Guida (five rounds)
Co-main event: Sam Stout vs. Spencer Fisher
Local Fighters: Dan Miller (Whippany, N.J.), Nick Catone (Hamilton, N.J.)
PREDICTIONS
Maynard vs. Guida
Guida has gone the distance 14 times in 41 fights. But if he wants to defeat Maynard, he’ll have to put him away early, and give that he’s won just four bouts by knockout that’s far from a given. The Carpenter loves to set a frantic tempo where as the Bully is methodical in his attack. Maynard, however, can strike quicker than a rattlesnake (ask Frankie Edgar). Even when suffering his first MMA defeat, Maynard tested Edgar harder than any man before him. He returns to the Octagon after spending eight months rejuvenating and working with a new team at AKA. You never discount Guida. He can go 10 rounds if necessary and still run in place while granting a post-fight interview. He’s also been up this mountain before, getting close to grabbing the prize before losing his footing. Maynard won’t knock him out, his preferred method of victory. He’ll instead turn to his wrestling roots while unveiling some new wrinkles. Maynard unanimous decision
Stout vs. Fisher
Two very talented lightweights stuck in the middle of the shuffle square off in their trilogy bout. Fisher, 36, is a competitor who refuses to give an inch. Stout has flirted with greatness and at age 28 still has a lot more to offer. “Hands of Stone” takes a big step forward. Stout unanimous decision
Cub Swanson vs. Ross Pearson
Once a promising lightweight prospect and now a current featherweight, Pearson is 2-2 in his last four fights. To be fair, he dropped a close split decision to the explosive Edison Barboza and is off a December win over Junior Assuncao. Swanson has alternated wins and losses since Jose Aldo destroyed him in eight seconds. Both fighters have high ceilings, and each have found that next level elusive. This will be fun and will be close, but I’m still a believer in “The Real Deal.” Pearson split decision
Brian Ebersole vs. T.J. Waldburger
Ebersole is a crafty veteran of 65 MMA matches. In none of them has he suffered a knockout loss. Having won 10 straight, his last three over Chris Lytle, Dennis Hallman and Claude Patrick, the Bad Boy may actually be peaking. Waldburger has upside but also lots to learn. Despite winning his last two via first-round submissions, he’s not ready for prime time just yet. Ebersole submission 3.
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