WEC 48 Preview: The Prelims

Takeya Mizugaki vs. Rani Yahya

The Breakdown: For as much nonsense as Shinya Aoki takes for being a one-dimensional fighter, Yahya is the real proof that world-class grappling does not an elite fighter make. An absolutely incredible grappler who knows how to make his game work in MMA, Yahya’s failing is that he can’t throw a punch or shoot a takedown to save his life. Mizugaki is far from a grappling genius, but he has the tools a modern fighter needs.

A converted wrestler who has developed excellent submission defense and hard-nosed striking, Mizugaki is exactly the kind of fighter Yahya struggles against -- someone who can keep the fight standing. What keeps this fight in the realm of the interesting is Yahya’s absurd ability to hit submissions without even scoring a proper takedown. You don’t get by on Brazilian jiu-jitsu alone without some slick tricks. Yahya is especially good at setting up submissions while standing as well as pulling opponents into his lethal half-guard.

Of course having zero striking skills means Yahya is wide open the moment he commits to collapsing the pocket. It would be one thing if Yahya had a decent chin, but he reacts to punches like they’re armor-piercing bullets. As per usual, it all comes down to Yahya hitting a submission before his chin and/or cardio fail him.

The Bottom Line: There is a very real chance Yahya sucks Mizugaki to the mat and hits some impossible string of techniques to tap him out, but none of that will happen. What will happen is Yahya curling up as Mizugaki puts the finishing touches on a TKO win.