UFC 152 ‘Jones vs. Belfort’ Preview

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Light Heavyweights

Igor Pokrajac (25-8, 4-3 UFC) vs. Vinny Magalhaes (9-5, 0-2 UFC): After a rough start to his UFC tenure, Pokrajac has won three straight, most recently riding power punches and knees in the clinch to a victory over Fabio Maldonado at UFC on Fuel TV 3. Pokrajac will put his heavy hands and wrestling to use against Magalhaes, a former M-1 Global champion who returns to the Octagon for the first time since 2009. Pokrajac stymies his opponent’s jiu-jitsu and wins via technical knockout in round two.

Lightweights

Evan Dunham (13-2, 6-2 UFC) vs. T.J. Grant (18-5, 5-3 UFC): After losses to Sean Sherk and Melvin Guillard derailed title talk for Dunham, the Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts export has returned to form with victories against Shamar Bailey and Nik Lentz in his last two outings. Formerly a welterweight, Grant has defeated Shane Roller and Carlo Prater since making the move to 155 pounds. Grant’s grappling chops are well known, but Dunham is well-rounded enough to emerge with a decision here.

Welterweights

Lance Benoist (6-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Sean Pierson (12-6, 2-2 UFC): Benoist suffered a hard-fought split-decision loss to Seth Baczynski at UFC on FX 3, while Pierson rode superior striking and decent grappling to a win over Jake Hecht on the same card. Pierson will be able to keep himself upright and land the more significant combinations en route to a decision victory.

Featherweights

Jim Hettes (10-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Marcus Brimage (5-1, 2-0 UFC): While Hettes went the distance for the first time in his career at UFC 141, he was still dominant in earning a pair of 30-25 scorecards in a unanimous verdict over Nam Phan. Meanwhile, the most memorable aspect of Brimage’s win against Maximo Blanco at UFC 145 was the gymnastics duel that occurred after the bout. Brimage will have to figure out a way to maintain distance to win this fight. Hettes takes it by first round submission.

Welterweights

Simeon Thoresen (17-2-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Seth Baczynski (17-8, 3-1 UFC): A Power MMA Team representative, Baczynski carries a five-fight winning streak -- including three UFC triumphs -- into his bout with Thoresen, who submitted Besam Yousef in his Octagon debut at UFC on Fuel TV 2. Baczynski is both aggressive and resilient, and he will be willing to do what it takes to swing the momentum of the fight in his favor. Baczynski wins by decision.

Bantamweights

Mitch Gagnon (8-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. Walel Watson (9-4, 1-2 UFC): Gagnon appeared to be getting the better of Bryan Caraway for two rounds at UFC 149, but the “The Ultimate Fighter” 14 alumnus was able to weather the storm and recover for a third-round rear-naked choke victory. Still, it was a promising beginning for Gagnon, who shared “Fight of the Night” honors with Caraway for his efforts. Watson was absolutely brutalized by T.J. Dillashaw in his last outing, as he struggled to combat his foe’s ground-and-pound. Look for Gagnon to get inside Watson’s reach and land some offense from top position before inducing a tapout in round three.

Welterweights

Kyle Noke (19-6-1, 3-2 UFC) vs. Charlie Brenneman (15-4, 4-3 UFC): It is the UFC 170-pound debut for Noke, who suffered a knee injury during his loss to Andrew Craig at UFC on FX 2 in March. Brenneman’s standup will not scare anyone, but “The Spaniard” will look to push the pace and close the distance quickly against his Australian opponent. Noke neutralizes Brenneman’s wrestling and lands just enough on the feet to earn a decision.