TUF 9 Finale Preview: The Prelims

Mike Ciesnolevicz vs. Tomasz Drwal

The Breakdown: After a successful UFC debut at heavyweight, Ciesnolevicz is making the move down to 205 pounds to take on Polish slugger Tomasz Drwal. The style clash is a study in contrasts, as Ciesnolevicz has always struggled with strikers while Drwal flops around like a fish out of water anytime he hits the mat. The key difference is that Drwal has negative cardio and Ciesnolevicz’s takedowns should be more than enough to keep Drwal’s offense limited to spastic flailing.

The X Factor: On paper, Ciesnolevicz should be able to grapple-stomp Drwal, but his chin is a huge liability against someone who makes his living by going for broke with his fists. If Ciesnolevicz can’t score a takedown early or, worse yet, tries to play Drwal’s game, he’ll end up with some short-term memory loss. If only the Knockout of the Night victim got a cut of the bonus.

The Bottom Line: You’ll have to fire up the create-a-fighter mode on “Undisputed” to see Drwal invert Ciesnolevicz’s skull, as this could turn into a sanctioned curb-stomping with Drwal getting the post-fight dental work. If it’s any consolation for Drwal, he’s still the best Polish light heavyweight slugger in the UFC and that’s something I’ll never be able to say myself.