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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
The first of two UFC events coming this weekend hits UFC Fight Pass tomorrow night, with the UFC Fight Night 55 event from Sydney coming to the U.S. on Friday night due to the time difference. The heated comments between Luke Rockhold and Michael Bisping come to a head in the main event, but while that provides a must-see matchup, the rest of the weekend leaves a lot to be desired. Still, there's fights coming tomorrow night, so here are some quick thoughts on what's to come on Fight Pass from Australia.
Michael Bisping vs. Luke Rockhold (Middleweight): There's been a lot of talking between these two, obviously, but it's what they're capable of doing in the cage that will tell this story. Rockhold's just more talented both on the feet and especially in the grappling department. Bisping utilized his striking game in excellent fashion in his fight with Cung Le, but Rockhold isn't Le. Rockhold's a better wrestler with an under-appreciated submission game. Bisping's got a very good guard, and on occasion can showcase takedown defense as well. However, he's been out-wrestled in several fights in recent years, and Rockhold's got every chance to do just that here. I struggle to see Bisping controlling enough of this fight to edge a decision, and though his defense may be enough to avoid a stoppage himself, I think it's unlikely he emerges the victor. If he proves me and other doubters wrong in this one, that will be as big a statement as he's yet made in the UFC. Rockhold by decision.
Ross Pearson vs. Al Iaquinta (Lightweight): This should be an entertaining and competitive striking matchup. Iaquinta hasn't really been beat by a striker yet, instead falling victim to some solid grapplers who have caught him in submissions. Pearson's not that style of fighter, and instead represents one of the better strikers Iaquinta has squared off against. That should lead to some fun exchanges in this one, and I think it's going to be close start to finish. It's entirely possible one of them finishes this, but I think we might be in for a three round slugfest. Pearson by decision.
Robert Whittaker vs. Clint Hester (Middleweight): Hester's unbeaten in the UFC thus far, though he's had a couple of close matchups in his last two outings. Whittaker suffered a couple of losses in a row last year, but bounced back this summer himself. The one potential concern for Whittaker backers, despite him fighting in front of a home crowd, is him moving up in weight. Hester's capable of using his size to his advantage, and he's got some decent power. Hester's not as good as Court McGee or Stephen Thompson - the last two men to beat Whittaker - but the size edge has me a bit wary. It's likely to be close either way. Whittaker by decision.
Soa Palelei vs. Walt Harris (Heavyweight): Palelei is coming off a decision loss to Jared Rosholt, which is something Harris knows a little bit about himself. He returns to the UFC after a win outside of the organization, and though he's stopped a lot of fights, this is a bad matchup on short notice in a foreign country. Palelei by TKO in the third round.
=====Preliminary Card Quick Picks=====
-Jake Matthews over Vagner Rocha by decision
-Anthony Perosh over Guto Inocente by TKO RD 1
-Sam Alvey over Dylan Andrews by decision
-Richie Vaculik over Louis Smolka by decision
-Vik Grujic over Chris Clements by TKO RD 2
-Daniel Kelly over Luke Zachrich by SUB RD 2
-Marcus Brimage over Jumabieke Tuerxun by decision
[Michael Bisping art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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