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UFC middleweights Alan Belcher and Jason MacDonald will open the Spike TV broadcast of Ultimate Fight Night 25: Shields vs. Ellenberger.
Belcher, a Southern boy who fights like he was born in a Bangkok Muay Thai camp, is coming off a 16 month layoff after nearly his vision due to a detached retina.
MacDonald, a Canadian submission specialist, is an aging journeyman on his second run in the UFC.
Assuming both fighters come into the bout in something resembling their top condition, it should be a classic striker-vs-grappler battle.
Belcher has some of the best Muay Thai in the middleweight division and MacDonald is one of the best submission artists not born in Brazil. Belcher has worked hard to improve his take down defense, scrambling and escapes and that should give him a path to victory. All he has to do is keep the fight standing and beat up MacDonald on the feet.
Unfortunately for MacDonald, his best striking asset is his Thai plum, but I don't see him getting that position on Belcher.
Look for Alan Belcher to return to contention in the UFC's 185 pound division with a dominant victory over Jason MacDonald.
| Aspect | Belcher | Points | MacDonald | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Range Fighting | ||||
| Boxing | Pro | 1 | Passable | Belcher |
| Kickboxing | Is He Thai? | 2 | So-so | Belcher |
| Wrestling | Ok | 1 | Good | MacDonald |
| Clinch Fighting | ||||
| Dirty Boxing | Good | 1 | Ok | Belcher |
| Thai Clinch | Pain Central | 1 | Good | Belcher |
| Throws/Trips | Eh | 1 | Good | MacDonald |
| Ground Fighting | ||||
| Positional Control | Ok | 1 | Heavy | MacDonald |
| Scrambling | Slippery | 1 | Quick | Tie |
| Escapes | Up and Out | 1 | Slick | Belcher |
| Submissions | Ok | 1 | Excellent | MacDonald |
| Intangibles | Recovered? | 1 | On the Downswing? | Tie |
| Overall | Back in the Hunt | 6/4 | Might Have Been | Belcher |