UFC 163 ‘Aldo vs. Korean Zombie’ Preview

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Flyweights

John Lineker (21-6, 2-1 UFC) vs. Jose Maria Tome (33-3, 0-0 UFC)

The Matchup: Lineker has been a force of nature lately, earning impressive victories over Yasuhiro Urushitani and Azamat Gashimov in his last two UFC appearances. The former Jungle Fight titlist’s only setback in his last 16 fights came in his promotional debut, as he fell victim to a Louis Gaudinot guillotine choke at UFC on Fox 3. Even then, the man known as “Hands of Stone” authored a furious assault, out-landing his foe by 31 significant strikes over the course of nearly two rounds.

Tome has compiled a gaudy record on the Brazilian circuit and has not tasted defeat since July 2008. The Renovacao Fight Team product is a finisher, earning 28 of his 33 victories by knockout, technical knockout or submission. While much of the competition Tome has faced has not been especially stellar, he is a well-rounded, aggressive flyweight who has proven himself to be equally capable winning with accurate striking or solid top-control grappling.

Much like Lineker, Tome swarms his adversaries with a purpose, but he does have a tendency to keep his hands low. Lineker sets a furious pace on the feet, attacking with powerful hooks and uppercuts, and few in the division work the body -- both with punches and kicks -- as well as he does.

In a bout where wild exchanges on the feet figure to come early and often, Tome might want to consider switching gears and taking his opponent to the mat, where he is adept at controlling and advancing position while landing ground-and-pound. Lineker, who has three submission losses in his career, has not yet attempted to take a fight to the ground in the UFC. His ability to sprawl and keep the fight upright is paramount to his success.

The Pick: Despite Tome’s versatile skill set, it seems most likely that this will evolve into a firefight, and it is tough to pick against Lineker in such a situation. He wins by TKO in round two.

Last Fights » The Prelims