Welterweights
Aaron Simpson (11-3, 6-3 UFC) vs. Kenny Robertson (11-1, 0-1 UFC)
Robertson is not afraid to exchange and has decent submissions, but all of that went out the window in his lone Octagon appearance. The onetime Bellator Fighting Championships competitor was completely neutralized by the wrestling of Mike Pierce at UFC 126, and the fight was essentially over once Pierce landed a left hook in the second frame. That does not bode well for Robertson against Simpson, who was an All-American wrestler at Arizona State University.
In addition to having more experience against top-flight competition, “A-Train” has the ability to dictate the terms of the matchup. The Power MMA Team product can do damage with a solid right hand before moving in close, where he can punish Robertson with dirty boxing in the clinch. Simpson is also versatile in his takedowns, with a full complement of techniques with which to get Robertson to the canvas.
Robertson must hope that Simpson struggles with the weight cut and is drained on fight night. Then it becomes a drawn-out affair with Robertson turning the tide in the second half of the contest. Considering Simpson’s background, this is not a likely scenario. That leaves Robertson hoping that he can connect with something spectacular like the spinning-back fist that knocked out Lucio Linhares in October.
The Pick: Winning this bout will not do as much for Simpson as beating Fitch would, but it does allow him to ease into the division. Simpson wins by second-round TKO.
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