After nearly six weeks without a UFC event, a lifetime with the current schedule, the Ultimate Fighting Championship returns this weekend with the highly anticipated UFC 152 card. The card will feature a main event consisting of UFC Light-Heavyweight champion Jon Jones taking on legend Vitor Belfort in a bizarre turns of events (Justin Faux will be breaking that one down later this week.
For now, let’s examine the Facebook portion of the preliminary card.
Three bouts are scheduled to air live on Facebook, a boost from the last few events.
Kyle Noke vs. Charlie Brenneman
Welterweight
Starting the night will be a welterweight clash between Australia’s Kyle Noke and wrestling ace Charlie Brenneman.
After three straight victories to begin his UFC career, Noke was pegged as Australia’s next big star. George Sotiropolous has opened the door for Australian talent to enter, and Noke charged right through. Unfortunately, stumbling blocks in the form of Ed Herman and Andrew Craig have halted the southpaw’s progress.
Charlie Brenneman too looked to be a rising star in the division. A shocking upset decision victory over contender Rick Story last June had Brenneman pegged as a potential challenger. Losses to Anthony Johnson and Erick Silva have since halted his momentum as the Pennsylvania native looks to rebound.
Noke will certainly struggle with the wrestling pedigree of Charlie Brenneman, and it will certainly be a game-changer in what should be a close and competitive bout. Neither of them are particularly susceptible to submissions and I expect a grinding bout. Noke will struggle to keep it on the feet, but when he does he will find success.
That being said, I’m taking Brenneman as I believe his wrestling skill will shine through in a potentially dull bout.
Mitch Gagnon vs. Walel Watson
Bantamweight
Canada has not been kind to Walel Watson in his short UFC career. At UFC 140 last December, Watson lost a close but fair decision to Yves Jabouin in a fight he through he won. Now, the striking phenom returns to Canada to right the wrong.
Again, Watson will take on a Canadian. This time will be in the form of Ontario native Mitch Gagnon. A submission expert, Gagnon will need to get this bout to the ground as quick as possible. This is a classic grappler versus striker matchup and if left out of his element too long, Watson will find a way to pick apart the young Canadian.
I think Watson’s reach will help him keep this bout off the mat, and I predict he’ll pick apart Gagnon for three rounds.
Seth Baczynski vs. Simeon Thoresen
Welterweight
Baczynski, a native of Hawaii, has quietly put together three straight wins in the UFC’s ultra-competitive welterweight division. His well-balanced mix of striking and submissions have made him a force to be reckoned with.
An underrated talent our of Norway, Thoresen is no push over despite his lack of UFC experience. Victories over Fabricio Nascimento and John Maguire established Thoresen as a threat and a dominant UFC debut over Besam Yousef furthered his reputation.
Both men are quality prospects and should provide a phenomenal fight. Baczynski is the far more well-rounded fighter, but Thoresen’s submission prowess could cause fits. I expect a close back and forth bout between these two and I expect to see Thorosen continue his streak via submission.
(Photos courtesy of UFC.com)
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