UFC Fight Night 22 Preview: The Prelims

Anthony Waldburger vs. David Mitchell

Much has already been made of the 22-year-old Waldburger’s youth, but what seems to have gone ignored is Mitchell’s experience against quality competition and his far more proven skills. While Waldburger is coming off the biggest win of his career -- a unanimous nod over Pat Healy -- there are still a great many questions about just how ready Waldburger is for the major leagues.

The two biggest are Waldburger’s front-running style and less than admirable chin, both of which have cost him before against decidedly mediocre opposition. As close to a pure grappler as it gets at this level, Waldburger will have to bank on tapping out another quality grappler all the while hoping his chin doesn’t catch up to him. A flat-lining striker Mitchell is not, but he is versatile enough to mix up his offense and keep the pressure squarely on Waldburger’s shoulders.

Whenever Waldburger has met any real resistance in a fight, his tendency has been to fall apart. That’s just not the kind of mental makeup that will take you far in the UFC. Mitchell has appointed himself well against proven grapplers and has the durability and cardio to make it into the late stages of the fight intact. The same can’t be said for Waldburger, which means he has to rely on cinching a submission before the tide turns against him.

One-dimensional grapplers don’t find much luck in that regard, and Waldburger will be no different. He’s plenty talented enough to give Mitchell a tough fight, but that will be little consolation when Mitchell takes home a decision win after a crackling fight.