UFC Fight Night 21 Preview: The Prelims

Jacob Volkmann vs. Ronys Torres

The Breakdown: Hype is a curious thing when it fails to live up to reality. The recipients of said hype are left to pick up the pieces while everyone else walks away. Volkmann and Torres entered the UFC with the hype train running wild, and they have gone a combined 0-3 since first stepping foot inside the Octagon.

Wildly overrated wrestling skills and sub-standard striking have held back both fighters and will play heavily in the outcome of this fight. For someone with a strong Div. I collegiate wrestling background, Volkmann’s takedown defense was shockingly mediocre against Paulo Thiago, who consistently got the better of him in the clinch at UFC 106. That could serve as a potentially game-changing flaw, as Torres has proven quite adept at finishing takedowns in the clinch and using second-effort techniques, like ankle picks and trips.

Considering Volkmann lacks the explosiveness and strength that Melvin Guillard used to thwart Torres at UFC 109, he will need to rely on his striking or grappling to win the match. He has natural talent in those areas, but his awkward striking stance leaves his defense wide open. Volkmann needs a lot more training before he grasps the basics of grappling; the same need not be said for Torres.

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The Bottom Line: Volkmann’s flaws are only exacerbated by his obvious lack of solid strategy inside the cage. Torres at least sticks to what he does best. Durability and conditioning will be Volkmann’s best friends in this fight, but they will only keep him alive to see Bruce Buffer announcing Torres as the winner via unanimous decision.