Preview: UFC Fight Night ‘Lewis vs. Browne’

Lightweights

Alessandro Ricci (10-4) vs. Paul Felder (12-3)

THE MATCHUP: In many ways these are two very similar fighters. Both Ricci and Felder come from muay Thai backgrounds, and both possess excellent timing and power with knees, whether long or thrown in the clinch. Both men are fairly upright and flat-footed, and as such, cagecraft has been the enemy of both in the UFC. Felder possesses more experience at the elite level, however, and has proven to be more dangerous against top opponents. Ricci, on the other hand, has not knocked out an opponent since he stepped up his level of competition in 2014. Ricci does have the advantage of a full camp, as Felder accepted this fight only a few weeks ago. Still, Felder’s conditioning has never been an issue, and his lack of distance management and pressure footwork should not be such a problem against a man who so willingly backs himself into the cage.

THE ODDS: Felder (-350), Ricci (+285)

THE PICK: Expect Felder to work his wrestling game against the more specialized fighter and work a few dominant positions on the ground. The pick is Felder by unanimous decision.

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