UFC Fight Night Breakdown: The Undercard

Matt Grice vs. Matt Veach

Matt “The Real one” Grice Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 5’8/155 lbs.
Age: 27
Hometown: Midwest City, O.K.
Fighting out of: Harrah, O.K.
Record: 9-1

The breakdown: After disappearing from the UFC to pursue police work, Grice is looking to reclaim his status as a prospect on the rise against another decorated wrestler in HIT Squad product and Matt Hughes protégé Matt Veach. Against an opponent unfamiliar with the pressure cooker that is the UFC, Grice’s rabid style is custom-made to overwhelm Veach should he succumb to the Octagon jitters. Either way, given how poorly Grice did when he had to work off his back against Jason Black at UFC 77, keeping Veach from making like Hughes is something Grice must be prepared to do.

The X factor: After more than 15 months away from professional competition, the cage rust has to be several layers thick on Grice. Against a wrestler the caliber of Veach, Grice better hope that rust comes off easy or he’ll be spending most of this match taking the brunt of Veach’s ground-and-pound assault.

Matt Veach Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 5’7/155 lbs.
Age: 27
Hometown: Springfield, Ill.
Fighting out of: Granite City, Ill.
Record: 10-0

The stakes: With the coveted title of “Best Lightweight Named Matt” up for grabs, Veach’s UFC debut also has the added drama of being the first time we’ll see a HIT Squad prospect inside the Octagon. The style clash for Veach once he reaches the cage will be an unfamiliar one, as Grice won’t be easily manhandled like the unknowns Veach feasted on during his days on the regional circuit. What may tilt this bout in Veach’s favor, though, is his surprising jiu-jitsu acumen considering Grice remains vulnerable in that area.

The X factor: On the one hand, Veach has been brought along carefully by his handlers and is taking a step up in competition at what seems like the right time. Of course, the flip side of the coin is that Veach was coddled with less than credible competition and is headed for a rude awakening in the form of Grice.

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The bottom line: This will be a case of Grice’s headfirst style working against him as it did in his bout with Terry Etim at UFC 70. We’ve all seen that Grice can be physically overwhelming, but Veach is accustomed to that sort of physicality and has the versatility to adapt to whatever Grice throws his way. Watch for the upset: Veach scores a surprising decision win.