‘TUF 13’ Finale Preview: The Main Card

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Light Heavyweights
Fabio Maldonado vs. Kyle Kingsbury

The Matchup: Two talented light heavyweights with athleticism and upside to burn collide in this one. Maldonado also sports the most impressive professional boxing record I have ever seen in a veteran MMA fighter: 22-0 with 21 knockouts, even though his competition was exceedingly weak, even by boxing’s standards; or, as Vinny Pazienza put it before destroying a 31-0-3 Nelson Bolanos, “That’s pretty impressive, even if he did fight his mother in 30 of them.”

Maldonado can strike and has solid jiu-jitsu; Kingsbury might have the takedown advantage. He remains a work in progress and has improved considerably since losing via decision to the more-experienced Tom Lawlor at the “The Ultimate Fighter 8” Finale in December 2008, putting together three respectable wins.

This is definitely a fight Kingsbury wants to take to the ground, as Maldonado is a solid striker who can string together stout combinations. Kingsbury may be the better long-term prospect with his athletic upside, but Maldonado may have a bit too much in the striking and overall experience departments. If Kingsbury is to win, he will have to take control early and dictate the pace, denying Maldonado a chance to find his range.

The Pick: This one should be entertaining while it lasts. Look for Maldonado to pull out a late stoppage after wearing down Kingsbury on the feet.

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