UFC 111 Preview: The Prelims

Matt Riddle vs. Greg Soto

The Breakdown: Following a letdown against Nick Osipczak at UFC 105 that he said was caused by the hazards of fighting away from his home country, Matt Riddle will look to rebound against UFC rookie Greg Soto. With all the hype Riddle had built up following a 3-0 start, this is the fight that will decide just how much further Riddle’s career as a professional fighter will go.

The fans don’t seem to be the only ones who bought into the hype, as this is clearly a favorable bit of matchmaking for Riddle considering Soto’s grappling-centric style. A ginormous welterweight with downright paralyzing top control, Riddle is tailor-made to frustrate offensive-minded grapplers and frustration is definitely on the menu for Soto’s debut.

Without the wrestling or striking to give Riddle a different look, Soto is going to have to rely on his guard, which just won’t cut it at this level. Trying to work submissions on an immovable object like Riddle isn’t a good strategy, never mind a winning one. Unless Riddle comes in flat-footed all over again, this fight should land him back in the good graces of fan and promoter alike.

The Bottom Line: It’s always worrisome to see a young fighter overwhelmed by something as simple as fighting overseas, but Riddle is owning up to his mistakes and trying to fix them. A big part of the fix will be serving up another top-control special at Soto’s expense, and that is exactly what everyone should be expecting. There won’t be much in the way of excitement, but Riddle will take home an undeniably dominant decision.