Can Holly Holm prove that she isn’t a one trick pony?

Fighting Words pits two of our Generation Iron MMA writers against each other in a heated debate on big fight predictions. Jonathan Salmon: So, looks like you were right about the Anderson Silva/Michael Bisping fight last week. I could go on about how the fight was controversial and who really should have won, but we’ve got other business that needs tending to. Namely the fact that you think Miesha Tate is going to defeat Holly Holm at UFC 196. I hate using the word delusional, but well, you’re delusional. Tate certainly has the tools for victory, the problem is that she’s facing someone with a wealth of experience against all manner of opponents. Holm is easily the pick. Lionel Harris-Spence: I must admit. I had your thoughts at first. To a certain degree I still do, but Tate can make it ugly and Holly “flash in the pan” Holm still has a lot to prove. It’s funny because when we spoke about the Holm, Rousey fight I gave her virtually no chance based on her past UFC fights. In the first one she had no punching power, and the second one, though better, was less than impressive. Obviously she had her coming out party against Ronda but I’m still not convinced, she’s going to have to win one more. JS: I think what you need to look at is Holm’s ability to completely negate her opponent’s game plan and that’s due to the high level coaching staff she has over at Jackson-Winklejohn. They’ve seen what Tate can do and likely have developed a game plan that centers around fast hands and particularly counter striking. I see Tate getting overly aggressive and leaving openings once she tries to get her offense going. LHS: You’re right. It CAN definitely go that way…but i don’t think it will. I think Holly Holm’s game planning will make her stiff and if things don’t go according to “plan” then Miesha will have a definite advantage. Let’s face it, Miesha’s a Brawler who no doubt has a diverse set a skills, but her biggest attribute is her heart. If she can get close enough to make it ugly and take Holm out of her “structure” and in the land of impromptu then I can see Holm being in deep water. Not to mention Holm’s chin is suspect. We saw it in the Ronda fight, where the few shot’s she did land definitely had Holm’s wobbled. On top of that Miesha looks bigger for this fight. Maybe she’s done something different in strength and conditioning but if she can get her to the ground or clip her with something that could make a difference. JS: Rousey’s busy, aggressive attack throws almost everyone off so it was to be expected that a shot or two would land. But Holm showed equal amounts of heart as Tate. If she was wobbled she showed no signs of backing down, got back to business and finished the former champ. There’s been a lot of ifs and maybes, which is expected in a prediction, but I’ll give you some facts. Miesha Tate is at an extreme speed disadvantage in this match up.Tate’s brawling style means she’s going to have to eat a few shots in order to close the distance which for Holm will be a field day. Holm’s footwork is more advanced than anything Tate has faced in the past. Tate will have trouble closing the distance and Holm will not oblige Tate and enter into a slugfest. Ronda did that against Tate and it spelled trouble for the former champ. Holm’s fast feet will have her out of trouble before Tate can mount a reasonable offense. LHS: Tate will definitely have to eat a few shots to get in but I don’t think she’ll be dazed and confused like Ronda Rousey. Tate is like the female Martin Kampmann in that it seems like she hits a 5th gear at the site of her own blood. Tate’s incredibly hard to put away and I don’t see Holy hitting her with any ground game like Ronda Rousey. While Holly Holm’s footwork will make her hard to get to, Miesha’s a veteran who can make in cage adjustments. We also have to look at the mental game. During the press conference Holly says that she’s putting a lot of pressure on herself for this fight as she’s the frontrunner in defending the belt. Miesha is taking this fight quite calmly, not looking nearly as emotionally tense as when she fought Rousey. I don’t think heaping all that emotional pressure on herself will be a good thing for the current champ. The real interesting thing will be how Holly Holm reacts if she gets down on the score cards. Prediction: Miesha Tate upset by 5 round war! Who do you think will win in the Co-Main Event this weekend? Let us know in the comments and forums. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron MMA on Facebook and Twitter.