MMA Preview – Mauricio Rua vs Paul Craig at UFC Fight Night 164
THE FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 164? Saturday 16th November, 2019 - 23:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 164? Ginasio do Ibirapuera, Sao Paulo, Brazil
What channel is UFC Fight Night 164? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 164? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ which can you sign up to here!
Are tickets still available for UFC Fight Night 164? https://www.ufc.com/tickets
THE STATISTICS
THE LOWDOWN
Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua is back to grace the octagon and was scheduled to face fellow vet Sam Alvey but after breaking his hand, Scotsman Paul Craig has stepped up to replace him and fight the legend.
Shogun is a warrior and he is still slugging it out with the best 15 years after knocking out monsters in Pride. Anthony Smith brutally snapped a three-fight winning streak with elbows but that winning streak included a decision over current top contender Corey Anderson, as well as a TKO over Gian Villante. Shogun quickly resumed putting people to sleep after his loss to Smith and comes off a brilliant TKO win over Tyson Pedro.
Craig has stepped up and will attempt to collect the biggest scalp of his career. Regardless of the result, we will be in for a cracker as Craig is never involved in a boring fight. He is 4-4 in his UFC career and has never gone to a decision in his 16 fights. He has fought three times already this year, firstly he submitted Kennedy Nzechukwu but then got starched by Alonzo Menifield but he is coming of his 11th career submission which was a rear-naked choke over Vinicius Moreira.
THE PREDICTION
Despite Craig being a completely different fighter to Alvey, Shogun is unlikely to alter his preparations too much as he will hunt the knockout as usual. This is a good match-up for him as Craig’s only real threat will be on the ground, but Shogun is a very experienced jiu-jitsu black belt.
All the difference will come on the feet where Shogun is a different class. Shogun is easily hit but Craig does not quite have the technique and combinations to put him away and Shogun is likely to pierce the guard and land on the chin until the Scotsman falls.
Winner: Shogun via KO/TKO
Striking and grappling stats sourced via FightMetric.
