UFC on Fuel TV 1 Preview: The Main Card

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Heavyweights
Stipe Miocic (7-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Philip De Fries (8-0, 1-0 UFC)

The Matchup: Both men bring unbeaten records into their second Octagon appearance, but both could stand to improve upon their debut outings.

Miocic, a North American Allied Fight Series heavyweight champion, utilized a steady diet of single-leg takedowns and moderate ground-and-pound to top Joey Beltran at UFC 136. The former Cleveland State wrestler bloodied “The Mexicutioner’s” nose and opened a cut under his eye. He eventually passed into full mount in the third round but was not able to finish the fight from that position.

De Fries, meanwhile, used takedowns and positional control to get the three-round nod over fellow Englishman Rob Broughton at UFC 138. De Fries had enough stamina to dictate most of the action against a tiring Broughton, but his striking was nearly nonexistent in the contest. Prior to that bout, De Fires had finished six of his seven professional fights by way of submission.

Standing, the edge has to go to Miocic, a 2009 Golden Gloves boxing tournament quarterfinalist who finished his first five opponents with strikes and forced his sixth to submit to leg kicks. The larger De Fries did not throw much against Broughton and figures to do his best work on the ground, where he can work for submissions.

The Pick: Even though he did not compete with the sense of urgency one would have liked from a UFC newcomer, Miocic remains the greater prospect. His wrestling background will allow him to thwart De Fries’ takedown attempts, and on the feet the Ohio-based fighter is superior. Unable to get the fight to the floor, De Fries succumbs to strikes in round one.

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