UFC 157 ‘Rousey vs. Carmouche’ Preview

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Heavyweights

Brendan Schaub (8-3, 5-3 UFC) vs. Lavar Johnson (17-6, 2-1 UFC): If Schaub wanted to alleviate doubts about his chin after consecutive knockout losses, he has the perfect matchup to do so. Johnson will attempt to back up Schaub with big right hands and uppercuts in hopes of scoring the quick finish, so it is imperative that the Grudge Training Center product not get careless in exchanges. Expect a more wrestling-based approach from Schaub in order to capitalize on Johnson’s subpar ground game. In a mild upset, “The Hybrid” earns the first submission victory of his career in round two.

Lightweights

Michael Chiesa (8-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Anton Kuivanen (17-5, 1-1 UFC): Chiesa continued to display a flair for the dramatic against fellow “Ultimate Fighter” cast member Al Iaquinta in June, rallying from danger to submit his foe in the first round. Kuivanen, a native of Helsinki, Finland, will want to use kicks to control distance, although he does have eight submission victories to his credit. Chiesa takes this one by decision.

Lightweights

Sam Stout (18-8-1, 7-7 UFC) vs. Caros Fodor (7-2, 0-0 UFC): Stout struggled in his element against John Makdessi at UFC 154, as “The Bull” landed his jab repeatedly and countered effectively throughout the bout. Fodor, meanwhile, is coming off a submission loss to Pat Healy under the Strikeforce banner in March. Blending striking with takedowns and clinch work, Fodor earns a decision.

Featherweights

Dennis Bermudez (9-3, 2-1 UFC) vs. Matt Grice (15-4, 2-4 UFC): A pair of hard-nosed wrestlers square off here, as both Bermudez and Grice would prefer to establish themselves through top control and ground-and-pound. Bermudez probably has the heavier hands of the two, and “The Ultimate Fighter 14” finalist rides a relentless approach to a second-round technical knockout.

Welterweights

Nah-Shon Burrell (8-2, 0-0 UFC) vs. Yuri Villefort (6-1, 0-0 UFC): Burrell is a gifted athlete with good hand speed and a versatile striking arsenal, but he will have to prove he can rebound from a knockout loss to Chris Spang. Villefort, meanwhile, suffered the first setback of his professional career to Quinn Mulhern in May. Villefort can disrupt his foe’s offensive rhythm by dragging the fight to the mat and controlling the tempo with his grappling. Villefort wins by decision.

Welterweights

Brock Jardine (9-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. Kenny Robertson (11-2, 0-2 UFC): Jardine was unable to defend the takedowns of Rick Story in his promotional debut at UFC on FX 4, while Robertson faced similar struggles in his UFC on Fuel TV 4 matchup with Aaron Simpson. This is something of a pick ’em fight, but look for some creative striking to be the difference for Robertson in a decision win.

Welterweights

Jon Manley (7-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Neil Magny (7-1, 0-0 UFC): This is prove-yourself time for a pair of cast members from Season 16 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” It was not a particularly inspiring iteration of the show, meaning that continued employment is no guarantee, even for a pair of promotional debutantes. Magny wins by decision.

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“TRACKING TRISTEN 2013”

Overall Record: 35-20
Last Event (UFC on Fuel TV 7): 8-4
Best Event (Strikeforce “Marquardt vs. Saffiedine): 9-2
Worst Event (UFC 156): 5-6