Frank Trigg x Josh Koscheck- Both men have a highly credentialed wrestling foundation, but have evolved into complete fighters.  Trigg wrestled at the University of Oklahoma and qualified for the Olympic trials, and Koscheck attended Edinboro University in Pennsylvania and was a four-time NCAA Division 1 All American.  Koscheck hasn't seen action since his flash knockdown from Paulo Thiago, where he was comfortably clobbering the Brazilian before getting sloppy.  Trigg is back into the UFC with a full head of steam after suffering a string of submission losses to the creme de la creme of UFC welterweights back in 2005. Each have drastically improved their stand-up striking game, becoming decent boxers, although in different ways; Trigg fires straight punches from a tight southpaw stance, while Koscheck has adopted a wider and looser style that lends itself more towards hooks and overhands.  Koscheck has more power, but his lack of balance, poise, and tendency to drop his hands during exchanges will leave more openings for the quicker and more accurate Trigg, who also employs better shelling and defense on the feet. We often find that grappling ensues when two strikers meet, and vice-versa.  Barring Koscheck landing a looping right hand, look for Trigg to frustrate Koscheck in the stand-up and then refuse to acquiesce when Kos resorts to the takedown.  Trigg will invoke an effective sprawl and keep a low center of gravity in the clinch, and is fairly effective with short knees and dirty boxing.  That's not to say that Kos will be unable to succeed in any takedown attempts.  With established wrestlers of this caliber, it's rather arduous to predict who will outperform the other in their chosen craft.  Koscheck has youth, height, and perhaps active mobility on his side, but will forfeit a boatload of experience to the wily veteran, who doesn't seem to have lost much of the spring in his step.  Trigg has shown an affinity for finding himself caught in submissions, particularly the rear-naked choke, but Koscheck doesn't necessarily subscribe to the Jiu Jitsu philosophy of intending to pass guard and advance position at every opportunity.  He seems more content to posture up and bomb away when controlling top position, although he does pounce and punish during grappling scrambles. I find myself astonished at the odds slanted so heavily towards Koscheck, with Trigg as high as +350.  This is arguably the most pivotal fight in the career of either fighter, so both will be hungry and will fight like they have something to lose.  It may be dangerous, but I'm going to take a chance and pick another drastic underdog.  My guess:  Trigg by decision

< Prev		Next >