The UFC Prelims are all set to air some way or another today either on Spike TV or streaming on Facebook. Headlining the Spike TV broadcast is a Lightweight bout between #10 ranked Melvin Guillard and Shane Roller. Also being aired is another lightweight fight between Australian George Sotiropoulos and Brazilian Rafael Dos Anjos. Highlighting the Facebook portion of the event is a bantamweight fight between Brian Bowles and Takaya Mizugaki with a potential title shot against tonights main event winner in the cards for Bowles.
Melvin Guillard vs Shane Roller
27-8-2 Record 10-3
28 Age 31
5'9 Height 5'10
71" Reach 72"
155 Weight 156
-270 Odds +220
How They Got Here: Guillard is on a resurgence in his career coming off the biggest win of his career when he stepped in for the injured Kenny Florian and defeated Evan Dunham by TKO at UFC Fight Night 23. Guillard the veteran of 9 UFC bouts has now won 4 fights in a row. Roller is making his second appearance with the UFC he was victorious in his debut defeating Thiago Tavares by TKO at UFC Live 3 and now has won 2 in row.
What To Expect: Guillard is on a roll right now and is gunning for a title shot in the near future. He possibly has the best power in the lightweight division and although Roller's wrestling would give him some trouble I think this is Guillard's fight to loss.
My Prediction: Guillard by TKO 2nd Round
George Sotiropolous vs Rafael Dos Anjos
14-3 Record 14-5
33 Age 26
5'10 Height 5'7
71" Reach 71"
155.8 Weight 156
-225 Odds +185
How They Got Here: Sotiropolous was originally scheduled to face Evan Dunham, he is coming off his disappointing decision lose to Dennis Siver in his home country of Australia at UFC 127. Before the loss Sotiropoulos was riding a 8 fight win streak. Dos Anjos is coming off a lose as well falling to Clay Guida to submission nearly a year ago at UFC 117. Before the setback Dos Anjos was on a 3 fight win streak.
What To Expect: It would be a shame if these 2 BJJ Black Belts didn't engage in a ground battle, Dos Anjos has claimed his BJJ is better than Sotiropoulos's but I think really his game plan is to avoid going to the ground with George. I don't think Sotiropoulos's takedowns are at a high level but still think he should be able to get the job down in this fight.
My Prediction: Sotiropoulos by Submission 2nd Round
Brian Bowles vs Takeya Mizugaki
9-1 Record 14-5-2
31 Age 27
5'7 Height 5'7
70.5" Reach 69.5"
135 Weight 136
-390 Odds +300
How They Got Here: Bowles the former WEC Bantamweight champion is coming off his UFC debut at UFC Live 3 which was a victory over Damacio Page by submission. Before the win over Page was Bowles first career loss against Dominick Cruz when a broken hand forced Bowles out of the fight. Mizugaki is also coming off his UFC debut at the same event as Bowles where he defeated Reuben Duran by split decision.
What To Expect: Bowles is looking to get back into the title picture and think he will be pretty motivated to not only win this fight but to finish it as well. Mizugaki is a tough fight for anyone however and should give Bowles a pretty good test by counter punching and takedown defense. I think Bowles's pace should eventually get to Mizugaki and be able to get him down on the mat and work for a submission.
My Prediction: Bowles by Submission 2nd Round
Aaron Simpson vs Brad Tavares
9-2 Record 7-0
36 Age 23
6'0 Height 6'1
73" Reach
185 Weight 185
-245 Odds +205
How They Got Here: Simpson makes his return to UFC action after defeating Mario Miranda by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 24. Tavares a contestant of The Ultimate Fighter Season 11 has won his first 2 UFC bouts the latest a TKO over Phil Baroni at UFC 125.
What To Expect: Basically Simpson will be looking for the takedown, Tavares will want to stuff them and keep this fight standing for as long as he can.
My Prediction: Simpson by Decison
Anthony Njokuani vs Andre Winner
13-5 Record 11-5-1
31 Age 29
6'0 Height 5'11
75.5" Reach 73"
155 Weight 155
-150 Odds +120
How They Got There: Njokuani looks to return to the win column after his Fight Of The Night performance at UFC 128 against Edson Barboza which he lost by decision. Winner a contestant of season 8 of the Ultimate Fighter looks to rebound and keep his job after having lost his last 2 appearances to Dennis Siver (UFC 122) and Nik Lentz (UFC 118).
What To Expect: Plain and simple it's Muay Thai vs Boxing. Have to wonder if one of them has a surprise takedown attempt up their sleeve though,
My Prediction: Njokuani by TKO 2nd Round
Jeff Hougland vs Donny Walker
9-4 Record 16-6
32 Age 31
5'9 Height 5'9
N/A Reach N/A
135 Weight 135
+180 Odds -230
How They Got Here: In a surprise late booking both fighters are making their UFC debuts. Hougland has now won 8 fights in a row after losing 4 of his first 5 in his career. Walker is also on a 8 fight streak of his own.
What To Expect: Hard to predict what we can expect from 2 guys i've never actually seen in action. But with both making their debuts and being the first fight of the night the "UFC jitters" could be at a minimum so hopefully we can see these guys "fight their fight".
My Prediction: Hougland by Submission 2nd Round
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