Main Card
Nate Diaz vs. Josh Neer- Nate Diaz is the champion of TUF 5, and has been on an amazing roll since the show ended. Diaz has beaten Kurt Pelligrino, Junior Assuncao, and Alvin Robinson all by way of submission since his win over Manny Gamburyan for the TUF 5 crown. Diaz will probably try to keep the fight standing for awhile as he hasn't been able to fully show off his stand-up skills in the UFC. He is phenomenal on the ground though, so don't be surprised if Diaz eventually goes for a takedown or throws guard on purpose.
Neer meanwhile has won three straight, with his last fight being a decision victory over Din Thomas at UFN 13. His biggest wins in the UFC have come over Joe Stevenson and Melvin Guillard. Outside the UFC, Josh has victories over Derrick Noble, Kyle Jensen and Forrest Petz. Neer's last submission loss was actually to Nick Diaz, Nate's brother, two years ago. I would expect Neer to keep the fight standing at all costs as Diaz holds the edge submission wise.
Mac Danzig vs. Clay Guida- Danzig was the winner of TUF 6, winning in the finale over Tommy Speer. Danzig won over Mark Bocek at UFC 83 in May, his only other official UFC fight. Ouside the UFC, Danzig had wins over Jason Ireland and Buddy Clinton.
Guida is a high energy fighter who will come in with excellent cardio and tenacity. He has wins over Samy Schiavo, Marcus Aurelio and Justin James in the UFC. Guida is a Chicago based fighter who wants to shed his image of a scrappy wrestler with good cardio. I would expect Guida to strike with Danzig, and eventually go for a slam takedown with ground and pound.
Houston Alexander vs. Eric Schafer- The is a classic grappler versus striker match-up. Alexander will look to keep the fight standing and knock out Schafer. If Schafer holds a significant advantage when it comes to the submission game. However, if Schafer comes in for a sloppy takedown attempt he may end up seeing stars.
Alexander's big wins in the UFC have come via first round KO's over Keith Jardine and Alessio Sakara. Schafer has a victory over Rob MacDonald in the UFC. Both fighters have suffered two losses in a row in the UFC. Regardless, I don't think this fight will make it out of the first round.
Alan Belcher vs. Ed Herman- Belcher is 3-3 in the UFC with victories over Jorge Santiago, Sean Salmon and Kalib Starnes. In Belcher's last UFC fight he lost to Jason Day. Herman, the runner up to Kendal Grove in TUF 3, is also 3-3 in the UFC. In his last fight, Herman was submitted by BJJ ace Damien Maia with a triangle choke. Herman's wins in the UFC have come over Joe Doerkson, Scott Smith and Chris Price.
Undercard
Kyle Bradley vs. Joe Lauzon- swing bout- Lauzon will look to bounce back from a loss to Kenny Florian.
Wilson Gouveia vs. Ryan Jensen - swing bout- This is Gouveia's first fight at 185.
Drew McFedries vs Mike Massenzio- McFedries is coming off a crushing KO of Marvin Eastman and is looking to win for the second time in a row in the UFC.
Jason Brilz vs. Brad Morris- Brilz is a stud wrestler with a 15-1 mma record. He is making his debut in the UFC.
Rob Kimmons vs. Dan Miller- Dan Miller fought twice for the IFL, winning over Ryan McGivern for the IFL 185 pound title.
Alessio Sakara vs. Joe Vedepo- Iowa based fighter Joe Vedepo steps into the UFC for the first time. Vedepo won the MCC 185 pound belt before being called by the UFC. This will be Sakara's first fight at 185.
*After UFN 15, The Ultimate Fighter 8 will premier. Article Below.
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