Preview: UFC Fight Night 147 ‘Till vs. Masvidal’

Middleweights

Jack Marshman (22-8) vs. John Phillips (21-8)

ODDS: Marshman (-165), Phillips (+145)

Welshmen collide in what should be a crackerjack main-card opener. Marshman was the first fighter from Wales to get signed by the UFC -- even through Brett Johns beat him in terms of getting inside the cage first -- and immediately got to work showing what he is all about. Marshman’s debut against Magnus Cedenblad basically covered all the bases. Marshman got out-wrestled and took a ton of abuse, but he survived, authored a thrilling comeback and scored a second-round knockout. That has been the book on Marshman. He is an athletically limited but willing brawler who is absolutely tough as nails. Remember, he ate a spinning wheel kick from Thiago Santos, and rather than completely knocking him out, it merely left him grounded and stunned. Coming off of two losses, Marshman could use a win here, but he will have to walk through another war to do it.

Phillips is certainly a character. He has some charisma and is probably best known for living in a caravan while training at SBG Ireland. As far as inside the cage goes, it is a pretty simple read, as Phillips is all big punches and little else. He has been able to grab a choke if need be on the regional circuit, but at the UFC level, Phillips has been particularly outclassed by better athletes on the ground. Charles Byrd immediately took him down and tapped him without much trouble, and Kevin Holland managed to finish things with a rear-naked choke after mostly picking apart Phillips. At the very least, the UFC has done well to try and match Phillips in some fun fights, so at least his puncher’s chance is going as far as it will take him.

This is Phillips’ most winnable fight of his three UFC appearances. Marshman is not an elite athlete and is more than willing to indulge Phillips in the type of fight that he wants. Shot for shot, Phillips is probably the harder hitter, but Marshman is a much crisper and quicker fighter with a lot more options, so this fight is his to lose. Plus, he is probably durable enough to eat a big shot from Phillips and survive when others could not. There is a chance of a late knockout, but Phillips is tough in his own right, so the pick is Marshman via decision.

Last Fights » ESPN Plus Prelims