Preview: UFC Fight Night ‘Edgar vs. Swanson’

---

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Matt Wiman (15-7, 9-5 UFC) vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg (14-5-1, 1-2 UFC)

THE MATCHUP: A pair of lightweight action fighters opens the card in Austin with the promise of outstanding violence. Wiman, a longtime UFC veteran, has been out for nearly two years since losing to T.J. Grant in January 2013. Jackson-Wink MMA product Vallie-Flagg has lost two straight, the most recent a contentious decision to Takanori Gomi in April, and badly needs a win here to keep his job with the promotion.

Vallie-Flagg’s game revolves around pace, offensive output and forward pressure. Although he is not much of a power striker, he throws a constant stream of one-, two- and three-shot sequences, preferring a long front kick, sharp round kicks to the leg and body and a solid punching repertoire. If he overshoots on his forward movement, Vallie-Flagg is happy to dive into the clinch, where he maintains good control and throws solid knees. The big problem is defense; his head movement comes and goes, and his pace practically ensures that he will eat a fair number of strikes. His takedown defense is generally solid but can be cracked by good wrestlers, and his ground game is essentially defensive. In sum, Vallie-Flagg is durable, aggressive and not to be taken lightly on the feet.

Wiman’s game is fairly similar in its broad outlines, focusing on aggressiveness, forward movement and a steady stream of offense. He walks down his opponents on the feet, throwing sharp kicks at distance, punching combinations in the pocket and standing elbows at close range and in the clinch. Despite his skill as a striker, the best part of his game is likely his grappling: Wiman is a relentless and surprisingly skilled wrestler, and once the fight hits the mat, he goes to work from top position. His submission defense is outstanding; he can drop bombs with his ground striking; and he has a great nose for submissions in transition.

BETTING ODDS: Wiman (-220), Vallie-Flagg (+185)

THE PICK: The X-factor here is Wiman’s long layoff, which was essentially a hiatus of choice rather than one foisted on him by injury. If his head is in the right place, the matchup favors him. Vallie-Flagg is not really the kind of power puncher who has troubled him in the past, and Wiman is a good-enough wrestler to get the fight to the ground and put in some excellent work from top position. I think that is exactly what Wiman will do in the process of winning an exciting, back-and-forth decision.

Last Fights » The Prelims