UFC 159 ‘Jones vs. Sonnen’ Preview

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Women’s Bantamweights

Sara McMann (6-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Sheila Gaff (10-4-1, 0-0 UFC): An Olympic wrestling silver medalist with an unblemished MMA record, McMann would seem to need just a little more seasoning before becoming Ronda Rousey’s greatest threat; although with victories over the likes of Shayna Baszler, Hitomi Akano and Tonya Evinger, it is not as though she is untested. Gaff, who formerly competed at 125 pounds, has the hands to test McMann, as she has finished her last three victories in a combined 1:52. McMann takes it by submission or decision.

Bantamweights

Bryan Caraway (17-6, 2-1 UFC) vs. Johnny Bedford (19-9-1, 2-0 UFC): With Erik Perez hospitalized due to a staph infection, Caraway steps in on short notice to face his “Ultimate Fighter 14” castmate. Bedford blends heavy power punches, including effective work to the body, with a grueling clinch game to wear down opponents. If Bedford elects to go the ground-and-pound route, he must be wary of Caraway’s active submission game. Bedford will have his chances to land significant shots, and he takes advantage en route to winning a decision.

Light Heavyweights

Ovince St. Preux (12-5, 0-0 UFC) vs. Gian Villante (10-3, 0-0 UFC): Outside of a loss to the talented Gegard Mousasi in December 2011, St. Preux has followed the path of a promising prospect, posting a 6-1 mark under the Strikeforce banner. A southpaw who played football at the University of Tennessee, St. Preux is usually able to overwhelm foes with his striking and athleticism. A wrestling and football standout at Hofstra, Villante carries a three-fight winning streak into the matchup, most recently earning a unanimous verdict over Derrick Mehman in May. If St. Preux has an obvious weakness, it is takedown defense. Villante capitalizes to win via decision.

Lightweights

Rustam Khabilov (15-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Yancy Medeiros (9-0, 0-0 UFC): Khabilov had one of the most memorable Octagon debuts in recent memory at “The Ultimate Fighter 16” Finale, when he suplexed Vinc Pichel three times before finishing the bout with strikes. A decorated sambo specialist, it was not the first time Khabilov has turned the tide of a fight with a powerful slam. After competing at 205 and 185 pounds in Strikeforce, Medeiros returns to action for the first time since June 2010. Testing the waters in a new weight class after such a long layoff makes the Hawaiian something of a mystery. Khabilov wins by decision.

Featherweights

Leonard Garcia (15-10-1, 2-6 UFC) vs. Cody McKenzie (13-3, 2-3 UFC): Perhaps victimized by his own reputation for receiving favorable scorecards from judges in the past, Garcia dropped a controversial decision to Max Holloway at UFC 155. Garcia can take consolation that he appeared to be the stronger fighter in rounds two and three, still aggressively pursuing his foe with his trademark winging punches. McKenzie, who was supposed to face Garcia on that December card, has lost three of his last four inside the Octagon. “Bad Boy” avoids the guillotine choke and wins via technical knockout.

Welterweights

James Head (9-3, 2-2 UFC) vs. Nick Catone (9-4, 3-4 UFC): Catone’s first appearance at 170 pounds ended in disappointment, as he submitted to an arm-triangle choke from T.J. Waldburger at “The Ultimate Fighter 16” Finale. Head, meanwhile, had a modest two-fight winning streak stopped courtesy of a Mike Pyle knee in the first round on the same card. Head fends off enough of Catone’s takedowns to land some punching combinations and win a decision.

Featherweights

Kurt Holobaugh (9-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Steven Siler (21-10, 3-1 UFC): After reeling off three straight victories to begin his UFC career, Siler was overpowered by the wrestling of Darren Elkins at UFC 154. Siler is at his best when he can land punches in volume, but he also has an active submission game from his back. Holobaugh proved to be a game short-notice opponent for Pat Healy in January, landing some decent shots on the feet and threatening with submissions after being taken down. Siler walks away with the decision.

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TRACKING TRISTEN 2013

Overall Record: 87-50
Last Event (UFC on Fox 7): 9-3
Best Event (Strikeforce “Marquardt vs. Saffiedine): 9-2
Worst Event (UFC 156/UFC on Fuel TV 8): 5-6