UFC Fight Night 66 'Prelims' undercard preview and predictions, Pt. 2 – MMAmania.com
More fights are coming to Fight Pass and FOX Sports 1 this weekend (Sat., May 16, 2015) when UFC Fight Night 66: “Edgar vs. Faber” kicks off from Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. MMAmania.com’s Patrick Stumberg continues the UFC Fight Night 66 “Prelims” party with the second (and final) installment of a two-part under card preview series.
What happens when you put two guys who can’t lose non-title fights opposite each other in a non-title “super” fight?
Two high-speed, battle-tested wrestlers who once held gold will battle it out in Manila, Philippines, this Saturday morning (May 16, 2015) as former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar faces former World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) Featherweight Champion Urijah Faber in the 145-pound main event of UFC Fight Night 66.
Saturday morning will also see Gegard Mousasi face Costas Philippou in a clash between two men coming off of brutal knockouts. “Filipino Wrecking Machine,” Mark Munoz, will also be in action in his retirement bout, taking on 6’6″ The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 17 veteran Luke Barnatt.
We examined the first three of six planned “Prelims” undercard bouts yesterday evening right here. Tonight, we preview and predict the remaining balance that will air on FOX Sports 1:
155 lbs.: Tae Hyun Bang vs. Jon Tuck
Korea Top Team’s Tae Hyun Bang (17-8) joined UFC soon after his mandatory enrollment in his nation’s armed services, losing a decision to heavy-handed Chechen Mairbek Taisumov. His second effort proved somewhat lucrative, laying out Kajan Johnson to earn both “Fight- and Performance-of-the-Night” honors in his opponet’s native Canada.
An 11-year veteran of the game, Bang has knocked out nine foes and never gone down to strikes himself.
Jon Tuck (8-2) — who had yet to leave the first round prior to joining UFC — lost in the elimination round of TUF 15 after breaking his toe against Al Iaquinta. He’s since gone even (2-2) in the organization proper, most recently dropping a decision to fast-rising prospect Kevin Lee.
His seven finishes include four via strikes.
Tuck, though not a bad fighter by any stretch of the imagination, suffers from the classic flaw of being “well-rounded.” He’s got decent striking, wrestling and grappling, just not the ability to impose any of those skills once he starts getting overwhelmed in another area. Compounded with cardio issues, I’m not sure he’ll be able to put the heavy-handed Korean on his back consistently.
On the feet, Bang’s power should carry him to victory. Even if he can’t put away the durable Tuck, he’ll land enough eye-catching shots to wear down his man and take an increasingly lopsided decision win.
Prediction: Bang via unanimous decision
155 lbs.: Zhang Lipeng vs. Kajan Johnson
Zhang Lipeng (9-8-1) capped off a successful run on TUF: “China” by narrowly defeating “Team Flying Lions’” Wang Sai in Macau, China. He’s since split his next two bouts, defeating TUF: “Nations” competitor Brendan O’Reilly before dropping a wide decision to Chris Wade in Boston.
At 25, he is six years younger than his opponent.
Kajan Johnson (19-11-1) made it to the semifinals of TUF: “Nations” before suffering a jaw-breaking knockout loss to countryman and eventual winner Chad Laprise. After healing up, he returned to action at UFC 174, where he took home a “Fight of the Night” bonus in a losing effort against Tae Hyun Bang.
Though his record seems rough on paper, he is 13-3-1 in his last 17 fights.
Johnson is skilled and well-rounded, just cursed with a fragile jaw that his recent crushing losses won’t help at all. Luckily, Zhang isn’t a factor on the feet, so Johnson ought to be able to showcase the full range of his arsenal without fear of a sudden absence of consciousness.
Zhang’s chances of victory begin and end with his ability to grind Johnson down for the full 15 minutes. I don’t think he can do it. Johnson controls the stand up and eventually catches an overeager Zhang with a submission in the middle part of the fight.
Prediction: Johnson via second-round submission
170 lbs.: Li Jingliang vs. Dhiego Lima
Li Jingliang (9-3) joined UFC with five wins in his last six bouts and, in his first bout with the promotion, made it six of seven with a win over David Michaud at UFC 173. In his second bout, “The Leech” faced hulking Canuck Nordine Taleb, losing a narrow split decision after a solid effort.
Five of his wins are by submission, one due to punches and four via guillotine.
Dhiego Lima (10-3) — one of only two men to actually finish an opponent on TUF 19 — found his run halted at the Finale courtesy of teammate Eddie Gordon’s heavy hands. He earned his first UFC victory his next time out against Jorge Oliveira, only to suffer his second knockout loss in three fights against “The Dirty Bird,” Tim Means.
He has finished seven of his opponents, four by way of submission.
It’s become abundantly clear that Lima will not reach the lofty heights his brother has. He’s got solid technical prowess, just not the power, strength nor durability that make Douglas such a terrifying and devastating opponent.
This is usually the part in the prediction where I say something like, “but he should still win this one,” but I’m not sure.
While Li is fairly one-note with his attack, his massive strength and solid wrestling make it a very effective note. I don’t believe Lima has the thump to put him away on the feet and I believe Li will be too heavy on top for Lima to finish from his back.
“The Leech” drags him into the bog for a narrow decision victory.
Prediction: Li via split decision
It’s a battle between two of the lower weight classes’ all-time greats, heading a card of quality matchmaking.
See you there, Maniacs!
Remember, too, that MMAmania.com will provide LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Fight Night 66 fight card, starting with the Fight Pass “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. ET, the FOX Sports 1 undercard at 8 a.m. right on through the FOX Sports 1 main card at 10 a.m. ET.
Current UFC “Prelims” Prediction Record 2015: 34-32 (2 NC)
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