UFC 135: Previewing The Prelims

Tony Ferguson vs Aaron Riley

11-2 Record 30-12-1

28 Age 30

169 Weight 155

6'0 Height 5'9

76" Reach 69"

-290 Odds +275

How they got here: Ferguson returns to action after having won season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter by defeated Ramsey Nijem and has won 4 in a row overall.  Riley is coming off a win over Joe Brammer, previous to the victory Riley fell to another TUF winner Ross Pearson by TKO.


What to expect: Ferguson will have the size, height and reach advantage in this one but if Riley is able to bait him into a slugfest and get inside of the reach he could give Ferguson some troubles.  Ferguson though should ignore the tempting offer of a standup war and go for the takedown and wear on Riley while taking himself out of Riley's most dangerous weapon and chance of winning.


My prediction: Ferguson by Decision

Nick Ring vs Tim Boetsch

12-0 Record 13-4

32 Age 30

185 Weight 186

6'1 Height 5'11
74" Reach 75"

+140 Odds -150

How they got here: Ring has won his first 2 UFC bouts most recently a submission win over James Head and controversial win over Riki Fukuda.  Boetsch is coming off his Middleweight debut against Kendall Grove which he won by decision.


What to expect: The tough Ring will surely want to avoid the powerful Boetsch and get this fight on the ground.  It could be a tall order just to close the distance on Boetsch to set up a takedown and even from there to keep the larger Boetsch down could be equally as difficult.  Look for Boetsch to keep this standing with solid takedown defense and crisp aggressive striking.


My prediction: Boetsch by Decision

Junior Assuncao vs Eddie Yagin

12-4 Record 15-4-1

30 Age 32

154 Weight 144

5'9 Height 5'7

72" Reach N/A

-115 Odds -110

How they got here:  Assuncao is making his UFC return after having gone 1-2 with the organization in 2006-2007 since then he has gone 7-1 including 6 in a row.  Yagin is making his UFC debut after having won 2 in row, most recently his upset submission victory over Joe Soto.


What to expect: Assuncao should be able to get this fight to the ground and control it from there with his great submission game.  Yagin though shouldn't be counted out after coming off his big upset win and still is a tough test for Assuncao.


My prediction: Assuncao by Submission 2nd Round

Cole Escovedo vs Takeya Mizugaki

17-7 Record 14-6-2

30 Age 27

135 Weight 136

5'7 Height 5'7

72" Reach 69.5"

+185 Odds -185

How they got here: Mizugaki is coming off a loss to Brian Bowles and is 1-1 so far with the UFC.  Escovedo is also coming off a loss, his debut against Renan Barao.

What to expect: Underrated pick for fight of the night we could expect these 2 to have a pretty even standup battle.

My prediction: Mizugaki by Decision

James Te Huna vs Ricardo Romero

12-5 Record 11-2

Age 33

205 Weight 205

6'1 Height 6'0

75" Reach 76"

-150 Odds +145

How they got here: Romero is coming off a loss to Kyle Kingsbury and is 1-1 in his UFC career.  Te Huna is also 1-1 in the UFC with his most recent fight a submission loss to Alexander Gustafsson.

What to expect: We could see a grueling stand up battle here with condition definitely coming into a factor.

My prediction: Romero by Decision

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