UFC 132 Main Fight Card Breakdowns: Dominick Cruz Vs. Urijah Faber, Wanderlei Silva Vs. Chris Leben And More

The success of that event helped convince the UFC brass to absorb the WEC into the big show. Tonight’s the payoff for Faber and Cruz as they get to headline a major UFC pay-per-view card.

Fight-wise, Cruz is a very different fighter than the kid Faber submitted with a first round guillotine in 2007. Cruz hasn’t lost since. His win streak has been built upon his amazing mobility and awkward, unconventional approach to kickboxing.

Silva is an all-time great of the sport. He spent most of the last decade as Pride’s middleweight (205lbs) champion before coming to the UFC. Silva was one of the first Brazililan fighters to add a brutal Muay Thai style to a jiu-jitsu base and he imposed a reign of terror on Japanese MMA.

Since then Leben has established himself as a solid draw in the UFC who alternates winning and losing but always entertains the fans.

Condit is a gritty, rangy former WEC welterweight champion who has shown he’s got big league heart and skills since coming to the UFC. He’s a vicious Muay Thai fighter on the feet, with particularly nasty knees and elbows in the clinch. On the ground his jiu jitsu is top notch. Unfortunately Condit’s wrestling is not his strong suit.

Kim is a judoka who also has excellent wrestling skills. That combination means he’s got many many ways to take his opponent down. Unlike many judo players who come to MMA, and he’s very good at keeping his man on the mat once he has him there.

Wiman, a veteran of the fifth season of The Ultimate Fighter, is also riding a 3 fight win streak and is 7-3 overall with the promotion. What he’s missing is that high profile win that will thrust him onto the contender track.

Stylistically this fight is reminiscent of an old-school MMA striker-vs-grappler bout in that each man excels at one aspect of fighting although both men are fairly well-rounded.

If you’re a Tito fan, you might want to get your hanky out for this one.

He has virtually no chance of putting Bader on his back and doesn’t have the power to get a KO standing. He may outpoint Bader on the feet for stretches of the fight, but Bader’s power will make itself felt.