Lightweights
Kurt Holobaugh (20-8, 1 N/C) vs. Kaynan Kruschewsky (15-2, 1 N/C)Odds: Kruschewsky (-135), Holobaugh (+114)
This should be a good time, as is true of most Holobaugh fights. This marks Holobaugh's third stint under the UFC banner after he went winless in the first two; the first was a loss to Steven Siler after Holobaugh came over in the Strikeforce sale, and the second saw him get matched up against Raoni Barcelos, Shane Burgos and Thiago Moises, a particularly rough run in retrospect. But Holobaugh persisted with his pressure-heavy and violent approach, racking up enough wins to earn another return to the UFC via “The Ultimate Fighter,” winning a veteran-laden season in August to wind up back under contract. Though after a March loss to Trey Ogden -- another fight where Holobaugh's aggression couldn't make up for a lack of athleticism, and one where Ogden mostly neutralized Holobaugh, to boot -- the worry is that Holobaugh's latest stint might end up in the same place as the first two. But for now, there's the opportunity for violence against a willing dance partner in Kaynan Kruschewsky. A well-traveled veteran who went the Contender Series route to earn a contract last year, the Brazilian stepped in on days notice for his UFC debut, giving it a go and eventually getting knocked out by Elves Brener. But like Holobaugh, Kruschewsky has a commitment to making things happen both on the feet and on the ground, so this should be a barnburner for as long as it lasts. Holobaugh gets the nod due to seemingly having the durability and cardio advantages, but this one's all about the action; the pick is Holobaugh via third-round submission.
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Holobaugh vs. Kruschewsky
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The Prelims