UFC 121 Preview: The Undercard

Lightweights
Sam Stout vs. Paul Taylor

File this one under “Strikers Delight.”

Stout has never backed down from a standup battle, and brings inspiring technical skills to the dance, doing stuff that echoes the high-level muay Thai which makes the art a beautiful one to watch. More of a hard-nosed brawler, Taylor brings willing hands and a pitbull-off-the-chain approach.

Given those factors, it would appear Taylor will be coming right into Stout’s wheelhouse, demanding confrontations and heavy exchanges. Stout has good takedown defense and grasps the ground game well, particularly the submission defense and transition elements that allow him to stand back up and keep position. If Stout can keep it standing and dictate the initiative, he’s going to be very tough to beat, and he should do just that en route to a competitive decision win or late stoppage.