Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Which undercard fights stand out on UFC on Fox 16 card?
Jul 23, 2015 - 3:30:44 PM ROUNDTABLE: Which undercard fights stand out on UFC on Fox 16 card?

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What undercard fights stand out on Saturday's UFC on Fox 16 event, and why?


MICHAEL BANE, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

It's a shame Anthony Pettis is always hurt, I was looking forward to seeing him in my hometown as much as I was the Featherweight Championship. I was really hoping we would get Pettis vs. Barbosa in Chicago, so now seeing "Junior" on the card fighting another replacement is just kind of an annoying reminder of the firepower that could have been. While this card is lacking in name power, it's not to say there aren't some potentially exciting fights.

Joe Lauzon has had 17 fights in the UFC and has taken home 13 post-fight bonus awards, the most in the company's history. His 2012 fight against Jim Miller was an action-packed and violent affair, that ended up being the Fight of the Year. That ridiculous fight to bonus ratio tells us there's a great chance we might see some fireworks in his bout against Takanori Gomi. While not quite the bonus fiend that Lauzon is, Gomi has pulled extra money in three of his nine fights, including two of his last four. The ceiling for these lightweights seems to be gatekeeper for Lauzon, and a past-his-prime knockout artist who draws Japanese fans for Gomi. Regardless of the relatively low impact this match will have on the division, there's a great chance it delivers on the excitement front.

Bryan Caraway, aka Mr. Tate, is an underrated fighter with some slick submission skills who has only been in the Octagon twice since April of 2013. Caraway has finished 18 of his 19 victories, with 17 coming by way of submission. While he doesn't get the attention of his girlfriend (they will both be cornering each other's respective fights this Saturday), he's talented and young enough that he could still make a push into the top echelon of UFC bantamweights. His opponent, Eddie Wineland, also hasn't been extremely busy, as he'll be making taking his first fight since May of 2014. Much like Caraway, Wineland is a top ranked bantamweight who still has some time left in his career to make some noise in his division. He also has a high rate of finishing fights, with 11 knockouts and five submissions in his 21 victories. Wineland has also been submitted or knocked out in 70% of his losses. Add all these things together and there's a good chance one of these fighters is taking home a Performance of the Night bonus due to a knock out or tap out.


DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST

The entire UFC on Fox 16 card is littered with fighters desperate to prove they still add value to the organisation. That should make for a thoroughly entertaining event, even if most of the fights aren't that intriguing now it's 2015. Jim Miller, Danny Castillo, Eddie Wineland, Joe Lauzon, Takanori Gomi, and even Ben Saunders are all experienced guys who have a point to prove for one reason or another.

I can't wait to see Paul Felder vs. Edson Barboza, and I keep going back and forth on whom I think wins it. I'll let you know who I decide to back about two-minutes before it starts! Gomi vs. Lauzon should be a fun fight that probably won't last too long. Wineland vs. Caraway is another solid fight that has some relevance in their division. Both guys need a really solid win if they want to stay on par with emerging talents like Aljamain Sterling, Thomas Almeida, Jimmie Rivera, and Cody Garbrandt.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

The only other fight I care much about at this event (other than the main event) is Meisha Tate vs. Jessica Eye. The rest of the card is full of potentially good fights, but nothing that carries much in the way of title ramifications. I think it's a fine card, but one that's unworthy of being one of the big Fox cards. The main event is awesome, but other than that it's just OK. Even Tate-Eye can't be that hyped up because it's possibly for a title shot, but only as a last-ditch effort if Cris Cyborg doesn't get it.


TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR

Whenever Joe Lauzon is fighting I'm tuning in, he's one of my favourite fighters to watch. Whether it's in victory or defeat we're in for an entertaining fight added to the fact he'll be fighting Takanori Gomi!

Kenny Robertson vs. Ben Saunders and Jim Miller vs. Danny Castillo are fights to keep an eye on, but for me it's Edson Barboza vs. Paul Felder that has FOTN written all over it. You never know what Barboza will turn up with come fight night; if he's firing on all cylinders he can beat anyone in the division, but he also has a habit of losing fights he should possibly win. Meanwhile, undefeated Felder (10-0) has seven knockouts on his record, his latest a stunning second round spinning back knockout over Danny Castillo, hold onto your hats this could get wild!


DAYNE FOX, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

While the undercard this Saturday isn't exactly weak, there aren't any fights that scream can't-miss. I think Edson Barboza and Paul Felder should be a fun striking battle, but I have a gut feeling that it is going to disappoint. Takanori Gomi is far removed from his prime, but Joe Lauzon seems like the type of dude to drag out a vintage performance out of him... or we'll continue to witness Gomi's decline. The fight that I see most guaranteed to provide violent entertainment is Eddie Wineland and Bryan Caraway as Wineland's balls-out style is always entertaining, but there is concern there too as he is coming off a 14 month layoff from a broken jaw. Will he be as aggressive?


RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

I'm really looking forward to the fights between Jamie Penick and his wife at 3:30 AM on Saturday morning when I convince him to hit one more bar with the group and she wants desperately to go back to the hotel.

"NO Jamie. I really DON'T want to hear your karaoke version of I Will Survive."

"NO Jamie. I really DON'T think Michael Bane is the prettiest person here."

"NO Jamie. I really DON'T think that bartender meant it when he said it was OK for you to jump up on the bar and offer free Malort shots to everyone here."

"NO Jamie. I really don't think Michael Bane has better hair than you. Can we PLEASE go back to the hotel now?"

"NO Jamie. I really don't think Brian Hemminger was challenging your manhood when he told you that you look a little tired, and it WON'T take 5 more shots to prove him wrong."