UFC Live 6: Previewing The Prelims

Yves Edwards vs Rafaello Oliveira

40-17-1 Record 14-4

     35 Age 29

     155 Weight 155

   5'10 Height 5'8

        73" Reach 71.5"
       -165 Odds +155

How they got here: Edwards is coming off his devastating KO loss to Sam Stout at UFC 131, before the loss Edwards was on a bit of a comeback having won 3 fights in a row.  Oliveira made his UFC return after winning 4 fights in a row outside of the organization but he yet again fell short losing to Gleison Tibau by submission at UFC 130.


What to expect: Edwards should be able to use his reach advantage and superior muay thai and striking skills to keep Oliveira guessing throughout the fight.  Edwards should also be crafty enough to escape any situations Oliveira may get him in and may even have his own submission attempts that Oliveira will have to think about.


My prediction: Edwards by Decision

Michael Johnson vs Paul Sass

9-5 Record 11-0

25 Age 23

155 Weight 155

5'10 Height 6'1

 74" Reach N/A
 -180 Odds +160

How they got here: Johnson returns to action after his impressive performance against Edward Faaloloto who he defeated by TKO at UFC Live 4.  Sass is coming off his UFC debut at UFC 120 where he defeated Mark Holst by submission, impressively 10 of Sass's wins have come by submission.


What to expect: Johnson has been caught in submissions in his past but it really seems after his last fight he is putting together a well rounded game.  Sass is a dangerous threat for Johnson though with his long limbs and great off his back a takedown by Johnson could end up for trouble him.  Look for Johnson to continue testing out his stand up in this fight but a takedown is never out of the question.


My prediction: Johnson by TKO 2nd Round

Byron Bloodworth vs Mike Easton

6-1 Record 10-1

28 Age 27

135 Weight 135

5'9 Height 5'6

N/A Reach N/A
+300 Odds -340

How they got here: Easton is making his UFC debut on a 5 fight win streak with his most recent win coming over Chase Beebe.  Bloodworth steps in on very short notice for the injured Byron Bloodworth and is also making his UFC debut on a 3 fight win streak


What to expect: Never underestimate the guy coming in on short notice but Easton should be able to overwhelm Bloodworth with his striking advantage.


My prediction: Easton by TKO 1st Round

Shane Roller vs TJ Grant

10-4 Record 16-5

32 Age 27

155 Weight 170

5'10 Height 5'11

   72" Reach 72.5"
 -180 Odds +175

How they got here: Roller is coming off his KO loss to Melvin Guillard at UFC 132 and is 1-1 so far in the UFC.  Grant is making his lightweight debut after losing to Ricardo Almeida at UFC 124 in his most recent fight.


What to expect: This should be a grueling battle fought mostly on the ground with the 2 grapplers.  Grant who is the bigger fighter should be able to control Roller on the ground to get the decision victory.


My prediction: Grant by Decision

Josh Neer vs Steve Wisniewski

31-10-2 Record 28-12-1

28 Age 29

  170 Weight 170.5

 5'11 Height 5'11

 N/A Reach N/A
-250 Odds +225

How they got here: Neer is making his 3rd try with the UFC after putting together a 4 fight win streak.  Wisniewski is also getting another shot at the UFC after losing to Nick Thompson way back at UFC 56.  Wisniewski is riding a 6 fight win streak with 5 of them coming by way of stoppage.


What to expect: Wisniewski will be wanting to get this fight down to the ground and look for a submission against the dangerous Neer.  For Neer it could be 3rd times a charm and will want to make a good impression in his UFC return and will be looking for the early KO.


My prediction: Neer TKO 1st Round

Walel Watson vs Joseph Sandoval

8-2 Record 6-0

25 Age 27

133.5 Weight 135

5'11 Height 5'6

N/A Reach N/A
-110 Odds -110

How they got here: Watson who is making his UFC debut has won all 8 of his bouts by stoppage.  The undefeated Sandoval is also making his UFC debut after having won the majority of his fights with the Shark Fight organization.


What to expect: Hard to know what to expect when it's 2 debuting fighters but Watson should be the more aggressive fighter who gets the takedown and looks for a submission from there.


My prediction: Watson by Submission 2nd Round

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