UFC 99 Preview: The Prelims

Paul Kelly vs. Roli Delgado

The Breakdown: A recent graduate of “The Ultimate Fighter” mill, Delgado has plenty to prove against seasoned UFC veteran Paul Kelly, who is looking to continue his successful drop down the weight ladder. While Delgado’s ground game has always been his calling card, Kelly has the kind of powerful ground-and-pound game that Delgado is ill-equipped to tangle with. Delgado has to bank on baiting Kelly into as many scrambles as possible in the hope that he can win the submission lottery.

The X Factor: It’s no secret that Kelly will get himself into trouble on the feet if you can goad him into it. Delgado’s long reach is one advantage he can milk all night if he wants it. Keeping Kelly knee deep in exchanges is critical for Delgado, whose only hope lies in picking Kelly apart before trying to finish matters on the mat.

The Bottom Line: This just isn’t the fight for Delgado. He is outmatched in virtually every way. It won’t take long for that to show, as Kelly opens with a ground-and-pound offensive that will last however long it takes for either Delgado’s will to break or the referee’s compassion to kick in.