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[dagreat1]

What do you guys think about this matchup and it's purpose (it must have one).

Is it supposed to be a stepping stone for Leben to move up in the rankings for a shot at the title in a few more fights?

Or is this now a stepping stone for McDonald after he made quick and effortless work of Herman?

I think more of a stepping stone for McDonald as people were really impressed with his performance in that fight and Leben has really shown that he is a 1 dimensional brawler with sloppy standup and that the only thing saving him is his granite chin and heavy hands (I am being a bit harsh on Leben and a chin and heavy hands can take you pretty far but as far as near future contender goes, I think he needs to improve on striking acuracy and foot work).

In 4 years Leben could be a great fighter if he works to become a well rounded fighter because heavy hands and chin are not things you can learn so he has a distinct advantage to start out with.

McDonald is likely a big underdog but I think he will win this fight via 2nd round submission.

[Malice]

Yup McDonald looked good and I think he will beat Leben if he doesn't get caught by a punch in first 30 secs.

[iced]

this will be a very interesting fight. i am very suprised to see mcdonald back in action so soon. he did look very good on the ground against herman though. and leben is finally getting his ppv fight, but against an up and coming fighter. i wonder how leben feels about this? he has worked his way up the mw ladder, but then fed to the dogs against silva. i wonder if the ufc doesn't think he's that great?

[AudieMurphy1]

mcdonald was definitely impressive, would be a great fight

[AJL416AZ]

i've been hearing that it's off, but if its still on

Leben will KTFO him with another wild shot

[jwistead]

Originally Posted by AJL416AZ

Leben will KTFO him with another wild shot

Yeah. The whole point of this fight is that MacDonald beat Hermann, who is Leben's teammate. I guess the UFC likes doing these types of matches. I don't think MacDonald looked *that good* on the ground. Leben by 1st round KO (wild punch).

I agree with the post that said Leben could be a top level fighter in 3 or 4 years if he diversifies his training a bit. Maybe that's why he's training with AMC and Matt Hume right now? I think his striking would be truly scary if he had Silva's footwork, positioning and speed.

[Bran]

i'm giving it to macdonald. just got a hunch

[Cromm]

I dont know enough about MacDonald to make an accurate prediction. The only issue I've had w/ Leben is his sloppiness, it will work but not consistently v. strong strikers. His main strength is his ability to absorb punishment and still strike when the oppisition cant see it coming. MacDonald obviously looked very solid on the ground, but I have not seen his stand up. It will be interesting to see this fight.

[Kewl144]

Originally Posted by iced

i am very suprised to see mcdonald back in action so soon.

Check his 2006 schedule. MacDonald has fought 6 times this year with only a month seperating his last fight before his beat Herman. He also fought 6 times in 2005.

[chief j strong bow]

I think this will be the last we see of Leben for sometime.