UFC 104 Preview: Spencer Fisher vs. Joe Stevenson

Spencer Fisher (23-4, 8-3 UFC) vs. Joe Stevenson (30-10, 7-4 UFC)

The Story So Far: Back in June Joe Stevenson was preparing to fight Nate Diaz in the main event of The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale and there were whispers that if Stevenson lost he could be sent packing from the UFC. Prior to the Diaz fight Stevenson was 1-3, losing an interim lightweight title fight to B.J. Penn while he then defeated Gleison Tibau Stevenson dropped his next two fights to two title contenders in Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez. Despite the rumors of a potential departure Stevenson soldiered through his fight with Nick Diaz and picked up a win. Realistically Joe was probably never in danger of being cut from the UFC. His status as a former TUF champion and the caliber of his competition probably gave him the wiggle room to escape being served a pink slip. Fortunately for Stevenson it never came to that. 

Spencer Fisher is rarely in the discussion as a potential lightweight challenger yet he is 4-1 in his past five fights with the lone loss coming to Frankie Edgar who recently upset the former lightweight champion Sean Sherk. While Fisher is clearly in the top-ten of the UFC's lightweight division, the time is now for Spencer to put his name in title contention.

Conventional Wisdom: During Joe Stevenson's down swing he went away from his wrestling base and engaged in a bad kick-boxing habit. But against Nick Diaz Stevenson when back to the ground and dominated Diaz on the way to an unanimous decision. Previously Spencer Fisher was defeated by a similar game plan when he fought Frankie Edgar. Going into this fight the basic assumption is that we will see a repeat of both of these fights, with Stevenson using superior wrestling to win a decision over Fisher. 

WKR Analysis: Spencer Fisher has made comments about his frustration with wrestlers who lay in their opponent's guard and fail to damage their opponent or attempt to finish a fight. Unfortunately that appears the very thing he will have to deal with at UFC 104. If Stevenson decides to pull a Sean Sherk and kick-box with Spencer then the advantage will swing in favor of "The King." Thus it appears that the critical factor of this fight will be Fisher's takedown defense and sprawl. 

Fun Fact: Joe Stevenson has been married twice and has two sons with each of his wives. 

Spencer Fisher is married to female mixed martial arts fighter Emily Fisher. The couple has three daughters.