UFC Fight Night ‘Henderson vs. Khabilov’ Preview

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Lightweights

Yves Edwards (42-20-1, 10-8 UFC) vs. Piotr Hallmann (14-2, 1-1 UFC)

The Matchup: Were it not for a failed post-fight drug test by Yancy Medeiros following UFC “Fight for the Troops 3,” Edwards would be carrying a three-fight skid into his matchup with Hallmann.

Even so, Edwards has won just twice in his last seven outings, a slump that began with a knockout loss to Sam Stout at UFC 131. Perhaps age and wear and tear are finally setting in on the 37-year-old “Thugjitsu Master.” A 64-fight career tends to have that effect. However, Edwards still remains a dangerous adversary, as he proved by becoming the first person to knock out Jeremy Stephens at UFC on Fox 5 in December 2012. His vast experience edge should count for something against Hallmann, who was 10 years old when Edwards made his professional MMA debut.

After taking advantage of Francisco Trinaldo’s faulty gas tank in his first Octagon appearance, Hallmann was outboxed and outwrestled by Al Iaquinta in his most recent outing. The Pole was holding his own until midway through round two, where Iaquinta rocked him with a couple right hands to seize control of the bout. Despite the gap in experience, Hallmann will be a tough test for Edwards. In addition to being younger and having less mileage than his veteran counterpart, Hallmann is a large lightweight who previously competed at 170 pounds.

Hallmann must limit his mistakes to be successful. That means not getting careless and allowing Edwards opportunities to counter on the feet or transition to submissions on the floor. Hallmann is decent at mixing together punches and kicks at range, but that area of the fight will favor the versatile and sometimes unorthodox Edwards. Hallmann should look to close distance, land offense in the clinch and mix in takedowns. On the mat, he is adept at taking his opponent’s back.

Edwards is unlikely to be overwhelmed by Hallmann, but in recent narrow defeats to Daron Cruickshank and Isaac Vallie-Flagg, the American Top Team product seemed to fade late. Clinch work and wrestling from the larger Hallmann could produce similar results.

The Pick: Hallmann wins by decision.

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