Kingdom MMA preview UFC Fight Night 42 - The Main Card

UFC Fight Night 42 Henderson vs Khabilov preview and predictions

by Alex Dillon @_alexdillon_

We look ahead and offer a detailed preview on this weekend’s upcoming UFC Fight Night 42 card taking place at the Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico which includes an intriguing main event lightweight clash between Benson Henderson and Rustam Khabilov.

Main card (FS 1 BT Sport 1)

Bantamweights: Erik Perez (14-5, 4-1 UFC) vs Bryan Caraway (18-6, 3-1 UFC)

This bantamweight matchup has all the makings of a good fight on this card. Perez only 24, has won 9 of his last 10 fights with that one loss coming to Takeya Mizugaki last August. He responded well by defeating Edwin Figueroa in his last UFC outing.

Caraway had a similar fate as he also lost to Mizugaki before bouncing back to a win in his last fight over Johnny Bedford. Whilst Caraway has the edge on the ground as a noted submission specialist, Perez has the edge on the feet and also is the younger of the two and more well rounded.

Prediction : Perez    

Lightweights:  Yves Edwards (42-20-1, 10-8 UFC) vs Piotr Hallmann (14-2, 1-1 UFC)

Edwards should be riding a 3 fight losing streak if it wasn’t for Yancy Mederios post fight drug test fail. Having only won 2 out of his last 7, Edwards an MMA veteran of 63 fights, will likely be cut if he loses this one.

Hallmann 1-1 in his UFC career so far was dominated last time out against Al Iaquinta but Edwards isn’t getting younger and tends to fade in later rounds based on his most recent performances which should work in Hallmann’s favour.

Prediction: Hallmann

Lightweights:  Rafael Dos Anjos (20-7, 9-5 UFC) vs Jason High (18-4, 2-2 UFC)

Rafael Dos Anjos was on a roll in the UFC riding a five fight win streak until he came up against lightweight stand out Khabib Nurmagomedov. Overwhelmed when it came down to it but to be honest most lightweights at the moment could suffer the same fate.

High is on a two fight winning streak with notable wins over Anthony Lapsley and James Head. Both fights were in the welterweight division and this will be High’s first fight since his move down to lightweight so it’ll be interesting to see how strength factors into this affair. Regardless of this, Dos Anjos is the better skilled fighter, carrying crisp striking in his arsenal as well as being a BJJ black belt should mean he can deal with High in any area of MMA.

Prediction: Dos Anjos

Flyweights:  John Dodson   (15-6, 4-1 UFC) vs John Moraga (14-2, 3-1) 

A real interesting flyweight matchup serves as the third fight on the main card with Dodson and Moraga squaring off against each other for the second time in their careers. Dodson won the first encounter so Moraga will surely be out to prove a point this time around.

Both fighters have also fought for the flyweight title against champion Demetrius Johnson with Dodson coming the closest to capturing the belt. Dodson is coming off a KO victory over Darrell Montague where as Moraga is coming off a somewhat questionable split decision victory over Dustin Ortiz.

Dodson is the better skilled out of the two and should fancy himself wherever the fight goes and ultimately dispatch Moraga, in my opinion, Dodson is still Johnsons biggest threat in the flyweight division and we should soon see him fighting for the flyweight strap again.

Prediction: Dodson 

(Co- main event)

Lightweights:  Diego Sanchez (24-7, 13-7 UFC) vs Ross Pearson (15-6, 7-3 UFC)

Call this co-main whatever you want... barnburner, slobber knocker, war, one thing’s for sure these two will come to put on a fight. This for me is the leading candidate for fight of the night honours. You often see fighters tweeting about how hard they are training for a fight but all I’ve seen lately is these two both at it. They both seem very up for this fight indeed which promises to be a great scrap.

Sanchez on a two fighting losing streak has been outclassed in his last two outings against Melendez and Jury, blaming food poisoning for his disappointing performance against the latter you have to question whether he has it at the top level anymore. One thing you can count on with Diego is his undeniable heart in any fight, he will look to take Pearson to hell and back if he brings his A game which he should considering its in his hometown.

Before fighting Melvin Guillard in a bout which ended up being ruled a no contest due to an alleged illegal knee from Guillard then pulling out of the rematch due to an injury, Pearson had knocked out his last two opponents in Ryan Couture and George Sotiropoulos and looked to have gain some consistency back in his career.

This is a great matchup for both fighters and gives them the opportunity to push themselves back up the ladder in the lightweight division. If Sanchez can’t get to Pearson and take him down he runs the risk of ultimately, being outboxed by the better more efficient striker. Whatever the outcome, this fight has the potential to steal the show.

Prediction: Pearson 

(Main event)

Lightweights:  Benson Henderson (20-3, 8-1 UFC) vs Rustam Khabilov (17-1, 3-0 UFC)

This lightweight main event could easily turn into a wrestling match rather than an MMA one. Both fighters have proven wrestling pedigree in an MMA cage which poses a lot of questions heading into the fight. Which fighter can take who down first? Which fighter can hold the other down/ get back up?

There’s a possibility that because either fighter knows the other is as good a wrestler as them that they may turn it into a striking affair. However, in my opinion this fight will be decided via wrestling.

Henderson is the former WEC and UFC lightweight champion and has won 9 out of 10 fights when gone the distance which says a lot. Beating Josh Thomson in his last outing, he’s ultimately on a collision course to get another shot at Anthony Pettis lightweight strap, third time lucky maybe, having fallen short the two previous times the foes have met inside a cage.

Khabilov is on a convincing 3-0 streak in the UFC and is part of the so called ‘Russian invasion’ into the organisation which has seen him and fellow lightweight Russian Khabib Nurmagomedov dominate and maul their opponents in impressive fashion. Khabilov made a statement last time out against Jorge Masvidal when he simply ragged him around the octagon on his way to victory.

In Henderson though, he faces a former champion with much more experience, strength and pedigree to his game and quite possibly too big of a step up for him. The way I like to describe Benson Henderson is that he is an amazing fighter but he’s kind of the Junior Dos Santos of the lightweight division, he can keep trying but he’s never going to beat Anthony Pettis in my opinion. However, if you beat him you are probably going to be in line for the title but then again you’re probably not going to beat him.

Prediction: Henderson

Kingdom MMA preview UFC Fight Night 42 - The Prelims

UFC Fight Night 42 Henderson vs Khabilov preview and predictions

by Alex Dillon @_alexdillon_

We look ahead and offer a detailed preview on this weekend’s upcoming UFC Fight Night 42 card taking place at the Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico which includes an intriguing main event lightweight clash between Benson Henderson and Rustam Khabilov.

Preliminary card (Fight Pass)

Light Heavyweights:  Patrick Cummins (4-1, 0-1 UFC) vs Roger Narvaez (6-0, 0-0 UFC)

Patrick Cummins burst onto the UFC scene when he was drafted in as replacement for Rashad Evans to face former training partner and UFC Light Heavyweight Olympian Daniel Cormier. Although he got dominated and beat in the first round it wasn’t really ever a fight as Cormier is far superior at this present time.

Cummins with great wrestling credentials himself should be looking to make a statement in this fight against newcomer Narvaez who is undefeated. Both fighters boast good records which should lead to a good scrap. It’s worth noting that Narvaez is known for being a Middleweight and with this contest being at Light Heavyweight may be too much for him.

Prediction: Cummins

Preliminary Card (FS 1, BT Sport 1)

Lightweights:  John Tuck (7-1, 1-1 UFC) vs Jake Lindsey (9-0, 0-0 UFC)

These two lightweights kick off the fox prelims in another intriguing matchup. Tuck looked impressive in his UFC debut but suffered his first loss at the hands of Norman Parke back in Manchester in October.

Newcomer Lindsey will be looking to make a statement in his first outing especially as he is riding a three win KO streak.

Prediction: Lindsey

Flyweights:  Scott Jorgensen (14-9, 3-5 UFC) vs Danny Martinez (16-5, 0-1 UFC)

In my eyes, this fight is make or break for Scott Jorgensen in the UFC, he’s on a 3 fight losing streak. Yes he’s fought solid opponents in his last 3 outings but he’s been in the sport professionally since 2006 and you have to wonder whether or not he has it anymore at the top level. 

His opponent Martinez, is 0-1 in the UFC, courtesy of a loss to Chris Cariaso, although boasting a decent record, Martinez in the past has come unstuck against top level fighters (Benavidez & Hominick) It should be a fun fight all in all.

Prediction: Jorgensen

Welterweights:  Bobby Voelker (24-11, 0-3 UFC)  vs Lance Benoist (6-2, 1-2 UFC)

This welterweight fight in my opinion is ‘loser gets cut’. Both fighters are on losing streaks, Voelker (0-3) and Benoist (0-2). To be fair to Voelker, one of his losses was a replacement fight against welterweight contender Robbie Lawler but he is on a 3 fight skid so this has to be the last chance saloon for him.

Benoist hasn’t fought for nearly two years dating back to September 2012 and this could be problematic for him.

Prediction: Voelker

Bantamweights: Yaotzin Meza (20-9, 1-2 UFC) vs Sergio Pettis (10-1, 1-1 UFC)

This bantamweight fight rounds off the prelims and promises to be an exciting scrap. Sergio Pettis racked up an impressive record and an RFA title before being signed by the UFC, winning his first fight before losing in a FOTN bout to Alex Caceres last time out. Meza has had mixed fortunes in the UFC so far going (1-2) in the promotion.

Pettis has shown he has what it takes to be at the top level and if you’ve ever seen him fight or even spar you know his skill set is of high quality. The main problem with Pettis I believe is that I don’t think he is fighting at his natural weight class at bantamweight, he has had more fights at flyweight and it makes sense for him to go back down there especially when a fighter gets to the big leagues the weight divisions are stacked. Having said that Pettis should have too much for Meza come fight night.

Prediction: Pettis

UFC Fight Night 35: Rockhold vs Philippou Preview

Kingdom MMA Previews UFC Fight Night 35

by Sam Heard @SamHeard_

Wednesday night will see the UFC’s first event on home shores of the year with UFC Fight Night 35: Rockhold vs Philippou, live from Duluth, Georgia. Though this card may not on the surface look as stacked as some of the oncoming events in terms of title fights or superstar fighters, there are several matches whose outcomes will have a great effect on the divisions in question. Here is Kingdom MMA’s take on the main card’s match-ups, what to look out for and what a win will mean for the fighters involved:

Sam Sicilia (12-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) vs Cole Miller (20-8 MMA, 9-6 UFC)

It took just 1:42 for Sam Sicilia to put an end to his two fight skid by getting the TKO win over Godofredo Castro in Brazil, in a fight he probably needed to win to avoid being cut from the UFC. Now he will meet Cole Miller whose stock has also risen after putting a bold full-stop on a losing streak.

After Cole Miller’s win over Andy Ogle in Manchester he tried calling out huge-prospect Conor McGregor; instead he has been pitted against Sicilia, though a win here will definitely bring the towering Featherweight a step closer to the fight he asked for.

John Moraga (13-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) vs Dustin Ortiz (12-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC)

Until a few days ago former flyweight title-contender John Moraga had been demoted to the Prelims on what is a fairly mediocre card. This seemed a little harsh on a fighter who survived 4 rounds with Demetrious Johnson who is now considered to be a top five p4p fighter – indeed Joseph Benavidez survived for only a minute in the cage with Mighty Mouse and it would be inconceivable to see him on the undercard. Thankfully now the well rounded lightweight has been moved up to the main card. In a division which is becoming increasingly stacked with talent Moraga needs a win to keep himself in top 10 contention.

Dustin Ortiz showed none of the Octagon jitters often shown by UFC newcomers as he displayed the knockout power which got him his place in the sport’s premier promotion with a third round TKO win over Jose Maria Tome. A bout against a man coming straight off a title-fight represents a huge step up in competition for him – if Ortiz is able to pick up a win he will doubtless be considered in the top ten 10 flyweight mix.

Yoel Romero Palacio (6-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) vs Derek Brunson (11-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC)

Yoel Romero has been impressive in the UFC, picking up both his wins in the distance via TKO. In his last fight he showed some creative striking to compliment his Olympic-wrestling pedigree. However, question marks were raised over his cardio, as well as some dangerous disregard for his opponent. For the first time in his career Romero found himself in the third round and had certainly slowed down a great deal – it is hardly surprising given his huge muscular frame. If Romero picks up another win he should be given a stab at fighting a top middleweight.

Derek Brunson last fought on the Early Prelims of the same card as Romero and was able to quickly submit athletic youngster Brian Houston after rocking him on the feet. Brunson has clear power in his striking which could be pivotal if Romero continues to showboat and drop his hands as he did in his last outing. Though Romero isn’t the biggest challenge Brunson has faced as he fought (and lost to) Jacare in Strikeforce, a win here would really put him on the map.

T.J. Dillashaw (8-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) vs Mike Easton (13-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC)

Team Alpha Male’s T.J. Dillashaw looks to get his career back on track after picking up his second career loss after a narrow split-decision went to Brazilian veteran Raphael Assuncao. If Dillashaw wishes to keep his #9 Bantamweight ranking on Sherdog he really needs the win; he will seek to do this by mixing up the heavy hands and explosive wrestling skills which have come to define Team Alpha Male fighters.

Dillashaw and Mike Easton share the dubious record of having been on the wrong side of the judges’ scorecard when fighting Raphael Assuncao, though Easton’s loss was deemed a unanimous one. His last fight was a split-decision loss to the immeasurably tough Brad Pickett. Easton, whose fight career started way back in 2003, needs a win here to avoid the dreaded 3 fight skid and probable expulsion from the UFC.

Lorenz Larkin (14-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) vs Brad Tavares (11-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC)

Hugely talented striker Lorenz Larkin will be looking to get his first UFC stoppage in this next Octagon outing. In his UFC debut Francis Carmont was able to out wrestle Larkin and ‘lay-and-pray’ on his way to an unexciting decision while in his most recent fight Larkin got a decision victory over Chris Camozzi in a fight many people believed he would be able to win in the distance. Larkin will hope to step-up his game in this co-main event context to finally pick up a KO in the UFC.

Brad Tavares will doubtless have studied Carmont’s victory over Larkin with the hope of implementing a similar game plan against the dangerous striker. Since 2012, Tavares has built up a great deal of momentum winning four out of four fights and will seek to make it five against a more difficult opponent.

Luke Rockhold (10-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) vs Costas Philippou (12-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC)

We all remember Luke Rockhold’s disappointing UFC debut where he suffered a first round highlight-reel worthy knockout to Vitor Belfort in a fight were bookies believed him to be the favourite. Rockhold is at a weird junction in his career; he is very much the forgotten man in the middleweight division as people are more excited about the likes of Jacare Souza and Tim Kennedy even though Rockhold has beaten both these Strikeforce vets. A win in this main event, particularly in impressive fashion, will have people talking about Rockhold again for the right reasons and should secure him a top-level opponent in his next fight.

Much like Lorenz Larkin, Costas Philippou is another dangerous striker to have found himself laid upon by Francis Carmont en route to a decision loss. Philippou will have to be wary as Rockhold is arguably a more versatile wrestler than Carmont and has a slick submission game to accompany it. Philippou will be looking to defend Rockhold’s takedown attempts and try to test the chin which looked so vulnerable against Belfort. Philippou, who was once an amateur boxer, is heavy handed and could certainly pull off the upset against the former Strikeforce champion.