UFC on Fuel TV 9 Preview

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Lightweights

Michael Johnson (12-7, 4-3 UFC) vs. Reza Madadi (12-3, 1-1 UFC): Johnson had seemingly turned a corner in his career, posting three consecutive victories in the Octagon heading into his UFC 155 matchup with Myles Jury. “The Menace” dropped a puzzlingly one-sided decision to the Jury, however, offering little resistance against his opponent’s takedowns and ground-and-pound. Madadi, meanwhile, had a seven-fight winning streak halted by Cristiano Marcello at UFC 153. Johnson rights his ship here, using superior quickness and aggression to take a decision.

Welterweights

Adlan Amagov (11-2-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Chris Spang (5-1, 0-0 UFC): Perhaps it is just wishful thinking, but would it not have been more creative to pair Strikeforce imports against UFC veterans in their Octagon debuts? Both Amagov and Spang have shown flashes of potential in the Strikeforce hexagon. Amagov landed some nasty kicks in a TKO triumph over Keith Berry in August, while Spang scored an impressive stoppage against Nah-Shon Burrell in May. Amagov, who is more likely to take down his man, wins via decision.

Featherweights

Marcus Brimage (6-1, 3-0 UFC) vs. Conor McGregor (12-2, 0-0 UFC): Brimage earned the signature victory of his career to date at UFC 152, outpointing the highly regarded Jim Hettes in September. A Cage Warriors Fighting Championship titlist in two divisions, McGregor carries an eight-fight winning streak into his UFC debut. Brimage takes this by decision.

Welterweights

Ben Alloway (12-3, 1-0 UFC) vs. Ryan LaFlare (7-0, 0-0 UFC): Alloway displayed a penchant for the spectacular by finishing Manuel Rodriguez with a front kick to the face and follow-up punches at UFC on FX 6. LaFlare, who has had recent bookings with both Strikeforce and the World Series of Fighting fall through, has yet to go the distance in seven appearances under the Ring of Combat banner. LaFlare outwrestles his opponent and eventually earns a TKO in round three.

Middleweights

Tom Lawlor (8-5, 4-4 UFC) vs. Michael Kuiper (12-1, 1-1 UFC): With losses in four of his last six fights, the entertaining Lawlor could find himself on the UFC’s chopping block if he does not get a win against Kuiper, who battered Jared Hamman with a series of power punches in a second-round TKO triumph at UFC 150. Kuiper, with his judo base and heavy hands, has the look of a fighter who could just be coming into his own. He wins by submission in round two.

Welterweights

Papy Abedi (8-2, 0-2 UFC) vs. Besam Yousef (6-1, 0-1 UFC): Abedi has offered little resistance in two Octagon defeats thus far, but he gets another shot because the promotion needs to fill out its card with Swedish fighters. Yousef got the better of Simeon Thoresen in the standup during their UFC on Fuel TV 2 encounter but was ultimately submitted in the second round. Abedi finally finds success in the Octagon and earns a decision.

Middleweights

Tor Troeng (15-4-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Adam Cella (4-0, 0-0 UFC): A pair of cast members from Season 17 of “The Ultimate Fighter” square off here. Troeng, who has competed mostly on his home soil of Sweden in seven years as a professional, was eliminated from the reality show via knockout by Josh Samman. Cella, of course, suffered the now-infamous spinning heel kick knockout to Uriah Hall on the series. Troeng snatches a submission in round one.

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TRACKING TRISTEN 2013

Overall Record: 61-39
Last Event (World Series of Fighting 2): 5-5
Best Event (Strikeforce “Marquardt vs. Saffiedine): 9-2
Worst Event (UFC 156/UFC on Fuel TV 8): 5-6