UFC on FX 4 – Sam Stout vs. Spencer Fisher preview
‘UFC on FX 4’ kicks off a double-header of action from everyone’s favourite mixed martial arts monopoly this weekend, and as the Friday night card draws closer MMABay is at hand to break down the four main card fights set for Atlantic City, New Jersey. Next up, it’s the rubber-match between veteran strikers, Sam Stout and Spencer Fisher. Will ‘Hands of Stone’ dethrone ‘The King’ or will Fisher bow out of the game on a high? Find out after the jump…
Sam Stout (17-7-1, 6-6 UFC)
A fairly pointless rubber-match acts as the co-main event in Atlantic City as two veteran strikers look to extend their UFC careers having met for the first time way back at UFC 58 in 2006. Sam ‘Hands of Stone’ Stout was the victor that night by split decision, only to drop a decision to Spencer ‘The King’ Fisher when the two met again in 2007.
A student and friend of the late Shawn Tompkins, the Canadian has had his share of injury woes in the past few years but did manage to win two on the trot, the second being a stunning first round knockout of Yves Edwards at UFC 131.
In January, Stout saw that run halted when he faced Thiago Tavares at UFC 142 in Rio de Janeiro, dropping a unanimous, but competitive, decision to the local fighter.
Spencer Fisher (24-8, 9-7 UFC)
Grizzled veteran Spencer Fisher used to be one of the most reliable lightweights on the roster, always guaranteed to add some excitement to a main card. But ‘The King’ is ailing, and there is a good chance that, win or lose, he’ll abdicate the throne after a third tussle with Sam Stout.
The North Carolina native’s body is showing signs of wear and tear and he’s been restricted to just a handful of appearances in the past few years. Fisher last won at UFC 120, taking a decision over unheralded Brit Curt Warburton.
The all-action lightweight has since gone 0-2, dropping a unanimous decision to Ross Pearson at UFC 127 before Brazilian Thiago Tavares laid down the smack at UFC 134 and stopped Fisher with second round strikes. ‘The King’s lengthy career is entering its final stage and Fisher would love to go out on a high, or even to prolong his stay in the UFC with a victory.
The Verdict: I must admit, my mouth isn’t exactly watering at the prospect of this lacklustre co-main event. Okay, both like to throw down but neither are natural finishers and there’s no reason to expect anything different than a repeat of the last couple of fights between the two, style-wise. Stout’s more versatile stand-up and Fisher’s creaking bones should make this a pretty clear-cut fight for ‘Hands of Stone’. The Canadian is quicker and hits harder, but with his own job on the line don’t expect Stout to take any chances. A conservative three rounds swing in Stout’s favour, sending Fisher into the retirement home. Stout, decision.
By Steve Davies.
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