UFC 104 Preview: Spencer Fisher, Joe Stevenson Clash in Lightweight Showdown

In lightweight action, rebounding veteran Joe "Daddy" Stevenson (30-10, 7-4 UFC) will battle a surging Spencer Fisher (23-4) in what looks to be a wrestler vs. striker showdown. Stevenson comes into the contest following an unanimous decision victory over Nate Diaz at The Ultimate Fighter Season 9 Finale after being defeated by both Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez at UFC 91 and UFC 95 respectively. Fisher is coming off a questionable decision victory over Caol Uno at UFC 99 while beating both Shannon Gugerty and Jeremy Stephens in 2008.

The general consensus thought among fans is that Joe Stevenson will implement a similar gameplan against Spencer Fisher that he did against Nate Diaz. Clinch, takedown, smother, and try to remain active enough to steal each round away from Fisher. If Stevenson's wrestling is good enough to continually put Fisher to the floor, I don't see a way in which Fisher can truly stop Stevenson's gameplan. Fisher has already stated that he realizes Stevenson's aim at implementing a "lay and pray" strategy against him, but he's brought in a number of top-level wrestlers to improve his takedown defense and wrestling for this fight.

Fisher will admit his wrestling isn't his best attribute, but he was a fairly tough individual for Uno to take down at UFC 99. Stevenson will be a much stiffer test as his shot is a bit quicker, and he's a beefier lightweight than that of Uno who can work in the clinch to gain the takedown a bit more effectively. Fisher's striking will be his deterrent, and he'll need to put the leather on Stevenson's chin early before he's sucked into a clinch war with Stevenson.

This will be Stevenson's second fight under the tutelage of Greg Jackson, and Jackson's words of wisdom are probably centered around sticking to your strengths. I think Jackson's gameplan to clinch and take down Diaz was easily the most obvious gameplan, and Stevenson worked it effectively. I see no reason why this fight would go any different as Fisher's weaknesses are documented in various bouts he's been involved in.

If we could bet on whether Spencer Fisher was going to show up and put every ounce of heart into entertaining the crowd, we'd all be rich. I'll be rooting for Fisher to pull off the upset in this bout, but Stevenson's strengths on the floor outweigh anything Fisher can offer if we look back through his battles in the Octagon. Unless he's improved vastly in his takedown defense, Stevenson should be able to smother him to victory.