UFC 137: Previewing The Prelims

Donald Cerrone vs Dennis Siver

16-3 Record 19-7

28 Age 32

156 Weight 156

5'11 Height 5'7

73" Reach 70"

-230 Odds +170

How they got here: Siver is coming off his close contested and controversial decision win over Matt Wiman at UFC 132 and has won 4 fights in a row overall.  Cerrone stepped in to replace Sam Stout and has been a roll as of late winning his first 3 UFC bouts most recently over Charles Oliveira at UFC Live 5 and overall has won 5 in a row.

What to expect: Cerrone has the reach advantage which could interest him in a standup battle with the German but his best bet (and advantage) is to get this fight to the ground.  Siver has proven many times in the past that he can land his spinning back kick with frequency and it's no secret he will be looking to land it on Cerrone.  As mentioned though can he keep the fight standing if Cerrone starts to look for takedowns as it has been an issue for Siver in the past.

My Prediction: Cerrone Submission 2nd Round

Tyson Griffin vs Bart Palaszewski
15-5 Record 35-14

27 Age 28

146 Weight 156

5'6 Height 5'9

68" Reach 70"

-300 Odds +275

How they got here: Griffin is coming off his Featherweight debut where he defeated Manvel Gamburyan by decision at UFC Live 4.  Palaszewski is making his UFC debut after he has forced out of his initial bout at UFC 130 because of injuries, his most recent bout was a loss against Kamal Shalorous at WEC 53.

What to expect: Griffin should be looking for the takedowns constantly against the heavy handed Palaszewski.  Does Palszewski have the takedown defense or can he bait Griffin into a brawl are the questions that should be asked if considering Palaszewski to come out on top of this one.

My Prediction: Griffin by Decision

Brandon Vera vs Eliot Marshall
11-5 Record 11-3
34 Age 31

205 Weight 205

6'2 Height 6'3

76" Reach 77"

-365 Odds +375

How they got here: Vera avoided his 3rd loss in a row and release from the UFC after a failed drug test by Thiago Silva after their UFC 125 bout.  Marshall is coming off his return to the UFC which was a disappointing TKO lose to Luis Cane at UFC 128.

What to expect: This fight could look alot like Marshall's bout against Cane as Vera has good standup and has the ability to definitely duplicate the outcome.  Marshall's best bet is to get this fight to the ground and get a submission, but Vera could have an adequate ground game to defend any attacks Marshall has for him.

My Prediction: Vera by TKO 2nd Round

Ramsey Nijem vs Danny Downes
4-2 Record 8-2

23 Age 25

170 Weight 155

5'11 Height 6'0

74" Reach N/A

-180 Odds +180

How they got here: Nijem who is making his Lightweight debut is coming off his loss to Tony Ferguson in the finale for the winner of season 13 of the Ulimate Fighter.  Downes is also coming off a loss at the same event as he fell to Jeremy Stephens.

What to expect: Downes should be able to use his superior stand up to pick apart Nijem.  Nijem on the other hand will want to use his size advantage to get this fight to the ground.

My Prediction: Downes by TKO 3rd Round

Chris Camozzi vs Francis Carmont
15-4 Record 16-7
24 Age 29

185 Weight 185

6'3 Height 6'3

75.5" Reach N/A

-105 Odds -105

How they got here: Camozzi is making his UFC return after a one fight stint outside the organization where he defeated Joey Villasenor.  Carmont is making his UFC debut on a 5 fight win streak which all have been stoppages.

What to expect: Camozzi's size and experience on the big show should allow him to get Carmont to the ground and away from his deadly striking, while looking for a submission or tko stoppage.

My Prediction: Camozzi by Decision

Dustin Jacoby vs Clifford Starks

6-0 Record 7-0

23 Age 30

185 Weight 185

6'4 Height 5'10

N/A Reach N/A

-100 Odds -105

How they got here: This matchup actually seen more shuffling than the main event as it originally started as Brad Tavares vs Tim Credeur.  Credeur got injured and was replaced by Jacoby, with the St. Pierre injury Tavares vs Jacoby was bumped up to the main card, Tavares ended up getting hurt him self and Starks replaced him and the fight was again back on the prelims.  Both undefeated and making their UFC debuts, Jacoby has won all 6 of his fights by stoppage while Starks has 4 stoppage victories to his credit.

What to expect: Always hard to predict 2 debuting fighters against each other but Jacoby seems to be the more well rounded of the 2 and probably will try to get this to ground and look for a submission.

My Prediction: Jacoby by Submission 2nd Round

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