UFC 123 Preview: The Prelims

Welterweights
Karo Parisyan vs. Dennis Hallman

The Matchup: For those who appreciate the finer points of grappling, this is a viewer’s delight. Parisyan’s blend of judo and incredible core strength make for picturesque throws, and Hallman’s ability to find submission attempts and create transitions and scrambles differentiate him from most fighters. A grappler-versus-grappler style match is what we have here, and it figures to become a fast-paced chess game, which means it will come down to conditioning if it goes deep.

Both men have similar storylines coming into a must-win bout. They are veterans with unquestioned talent, but their conditioning has often been a question mark. Parisyan is extremely tough against foes who cannot out-strength him, while Hallman’s recent performances -- a last-second KO loss to John Howard in a bout he was dominating and a one-sided decision win over American Top Team’s Ben Saunders -- suggest he’s taking conditioning seriously. Neither man is a big stand-up threat to the other, as they rely on strikes to set up clinches and takedowns.

In the clinches, look for Parisyan to try and assert his superior strength, while Hallman will look to create scrambles and go for submission attempts that open up better positions on the ground. This one could come down to the kind of whirlwind transitions and mat action that made Parisyan’s bouts with Diego Sanchez and Nick Diaz great viewing fare.

The Pick: Given Parisyan’s equal doses of talent and hot-and-cold performances, the pick here is Hallman by a close decision.