Castillo
Striking : 1.5
Grappling : 2.0
Submissions : 2.0
Experience : 1.5
Total : 1.8
Cardella
Striking : 1.5
Grappling : 2.5
Submissions : 2.5
Experience : 3.0
Total : 2.4
Analysis: Both men share a common opponent in American Top Team’s Rafael Dias. A wrestler by trade, Castillo (6-1) stopped the Brazilian on strikes, while Texas’ own Cardella went the distance with the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. The 32-year-old Cardella (7-2), a BJJ black belt under Relson Gracie, has taken all but one of his wins by submission. Besides Leonard Garcia and Marcus Hicks, Cardella serves as the main local draw for WEC’s premiere event in Texas.
* * *
Prediction: WEC matchmaker Sean Shelby appears to be sacrificing a decent prospect in Castillo for the sake of having hometown hero Cardella get off to a good start in his promotional debut. Take Cardella by first-round submission.