UFC on Fox 7 Preview

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Welterweights

Matt Brown (16-11, 9-5 UFC) vs. Jordan Mein (27-8, 1-0 UFC)

The Matchup: This is a perfect fight to begin the Fox broadcast, as both Brown and Mein figure to bring plenty of offensive fireworks to the Octagon. Mein, a replacement for Dan Hardy, became the first person to finish the durable Dan Miller in his UFC debut last month, stopping the AMA Fight Club representative with a volley of punches to the head and body in the opening round at UFC 158. Although he is just 23 years old, Mein already has wealth of valuable experience with 35 professional fights under his belt.

Brown, meanwhile, capped a resurgent 2012 with his fourth victory in as many tries, taking a second-round technical knockout victory against Mike Swick at UFC on Fox 5. “The Immortal” has had his share of ups and downs during his UFC tenure, but he is rarely involved in a boring fight. “The Ultimate Fighter 7” alum is an aggressive striker, and he only seems to get stronger if he can lure his opponent into a brawl. Brown has dangerous power in his right hand and possesses a sturdy chin, which serves him well in exchanges. The Ohio native is also effective landing knees and elbows in the clinch. Mix in his capable ground-and-pound from top position, and you have a fighter who is comfortable landing offense from most anywhere.

He has a willing dance partner in Mein, who sets the tone with an accurate jab. The Canadian can temper his foe’s aggression with counter hooks, and if the action moves to close quarters, he is comfortable changing levels with his punches and working the body. “Young Gun,” who will have a 2.5-inch reach disadvantage, can attempt to curtail Brown’s forward movement with kicks to the legs, body and head.

Neither man has especially sound takedown defense. Mein has yet to land a takedown in his four bouts examined by FightMetric.com, while Brown has proven susceptible to a solid submission game. Mein is the most proficient striker Brown has faced since Stephen Thompson, but the Canadian Martial Arts Centre product is much more dangerous than Thompson was on the ground.

Should Brown decide that things are not going well on the feet, he must be wary of Mein’s active submission game from his back, as well as his ability to create space and return to his feet with his butterfly guard. Mein also has solid submission defense, which he showed by escaping a deep armbar early in his bout with Miller.

The Pick: This will be a barnburner anywhere the fight goes. Mein’s standup is a little more polished and varied, however, and he will not allow Brown to keep him on the canvas for any significant period of time. Mein captures a decision in a “Fight of the Night” candidate.

Last Fights » The Prelims