Bantamweights
NR | Ronnie Lawrence (6-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. NR | Vince Cachero (7-3, 0-1 UFC)Lawrence is a prospect to watch, but it is a bit surprising that he is apparently one of UFC President Dana White’s favorite fighters from the most recent season of the Contender Series. Lawrence had flashed some tools leading up to that DWCS appearance against Jose Johnson, and he smartly took Johnson to the mat and controlled most of the fight for a solid if unspectacular win. It was the type of performance that usually leaves the UFC boss somewhere between unimpressed and lukewarm, but instead, White proclaimed that Lawrence was a special fighter from whom he expects big things and gave him a contract. At any rate, “The Heat” makes his proper UFC debut here and should have an entertaining fight against Cachero, who stepped in on late notice for his UFC debut against Jamall Emmers in August. Cachero got off to a solid start in that bout, but as a natural bantamweight facing a large featherweight, he eventually ceded ground and lost a one-sided decision. That has been the typical problem for Cachero. He has some solid power and offensive wrestling moving forward, but he is all too willing to move backwards against more aggressive opponents, at which point he becomes much less effective. He could still crack Lawrence with something, but the American Top Team rep’s aggression and pressure alone should allow him to get the ball rolling towards a one-sided win. The pick is Lawrence via decision.
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