UFC on FOX 8: Tarec Saffiedine is a ‘technically better’ striker than Robbie Lawler

When Tarec Saffiedine -- the last man to hold the Strikeforce welterweight title -- was booked to swing leather against Robbie Lawler at UFC on FOX 8 on July 27, 2013, the collective thought was: Bangfest!

Saffiedine has been known to systematically pick apart his opponents on the feet, as he did to Nate Marquardt earlier this year at Strikeforce: "Marqaurdt vs. Saffiedine." Tarec battered and bruised "The Great's" legs repeatedly, earning him a unanimous decision win and the 170-pound strap.

And while Lawler may not have the same "technical" striking prowess like the one his Belgian foe possesses, he does carry with him the reputation of knocking people out, thanks to his brute force and massive punching power than can lay any 170-pound fighter out with a single strike.

In fact, his last 10 victories have come via knockout or technical knockout, which includes wins over Josh Koscheck, Matt Lindland and Melvin Manhoef.

Not a bad resume.

But when two of the top strikers in the welterweight division meet in Seattle, Wash., it will be the technical striking of Saffiedine that will win him the bout against "Ruthless."

"Sponge" broke it down to BJPenn.com:

"He's known for his power. Even when he fought at 170 (pounds) he was heavy-handed. His wrestling is not bad and his ground is not bad. I believe he is going to try to stand on his feet and try to look for the knockout and I'm going to do what I'm used to doing, work on my striking. I believe technically on the feet I am better. I am going to keep it the way I want it to be fought, standing if I need to. Do what I have to do, I believe in my skills so, it will go my way."

After an injury prevented him from taking a high-profile fight against Carlos Condit at UFC 158 last March -- one that could have catapulted him to a potential title shot against Georges St. Pierre with a win -- Saffiedine is still content with his decision, saying he is in no hurry for a title shot and would like to get a few fights inside the Octagon, first.

And while Robbie looked ever-so impressive in his UFC return against the aforementioned Koscheck at UFC 157, stopping him in the first round, he isn't exactly in contention for a shot at the gold, just yet.

A win over Tarec, however, gets him that much closer.

What say you Maniacs, who will prevail in "The Emerald City" when these two talented strikers tangle in the center of the Octagon? Will Saffiedine's technical striking trump Lawler's powerful haymakers?

Or will it be the other way around?