UFC on Fox 1 Preview

Aaron Rosa vs. Matt Lucas

Former Heavyweight Aaron Rosa (16-4) will return to his natural weight class at 205-pounds at the UFC on FOX 1 event on the preliminary card against promotional newcomer Matt Lucas (14-2).

Rosa, 28, is a Texas native who fights out of the Rodrigo Pinheiro BJJ camp. The well-rounded Rosa began his professional career in 205 and won his first nine while competing in local event throughout Texas. His first break came in 2007 when he signed with Elite XC but lost two of his three bouts with the organization and moved on. After leaving the organization in 2008, he rebounded by winning six of his next seven in familiar organizations such as Strikeforce, Bellator, Shark Fights, and Titan Fighting Championships. In his UFC 131 debut this past June, Rosa dropped a 3 rd round TKO against Joey Beltran.

Lucas is an Arizona-based mixed martial artist who fights out of Arizona Combat Sports. Lucas began competing professionally in 2006 and won his first nine while fighting for organizations like Rage in the Cage, RAW, Gladiators Challenge, and Elite XC. His first roadblock came after losing back to back bouts in 2008-09, but he quickly turned it around and won five in a row, all for the Rage in the Cage promotion. His most recent action took place at RITC 152 this past May when he won via KO at 42-seconds of the 1 st round.

Prediction – Rosa TKO

Mike Pierce vs. Paul Bradley

The Ultimate Fighter 7 mixed martial artist Paul Bradley (18-3) will try and turn the tables on octagon veteran Mike Pierce (12-4) at UFC on FOX 1 in a rematch from over two years ago while both were competing in regional events. Bradley vs. Pierce will be slotted on the Facebook streamed preliminary card and contested in the UFC middleweight division.

Pierce, 31, is an Oregon born mixed martial artist who fights out of the Sports Lab in his home state. The former Portland State University wrestler began his professional career in 2007 and went on to win eight of his first ten which included a bout in the WEC. The bout that vaulted him into an octagon career however was an April 2009 victory over Bradley in a regional event in Pennsylvania. Since beginning his UFC career in 2009, Pierce has won four of his six bouts. His three-fight winning streak came to an end in his most recent fight at UFC 133 this past August when Johnny Hendricks took a split decision from him.

Bradley, 28, is a Minnesota based collegiate wrestler turned mixed martial artist who fights out of The Academy in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Bradley made his professional debut in 2006 and won eleven in a row before suffering his first career loss in a meeting with Pierce. In 2008 Bradley was a competitor on TUF 7 however was sent home after it was discovered that he contacted a contagious skin condition. Once his time on TUF 7 passed, Bradley spent the next three years trying to earn his way back while competing for Strikeforce, Shark Fights and a number of regional events. After putting together five consecutive victories, Bradley was back under the UFC banner. In his first official octagon bout at UFC 133, the former University of Iowa wrestler lost a decision against Brazilian Rafael Natal.

Prediction – Pierce decision

Alex Caceres vs. Cole Escovedo

The Ultimate Fighter 12 competitor Alex “Bruce Leroy” Caceres (5-4) will try and keep his UFC roster spot when he meets Cole Escovedo (17-8), who also has lost back to back bouts with the organization, when the two meet in a UFC on FOX 1 preliminary card bantamweight bout.

Caceres, 23, is a Miami, Florida based mixed martial artist who fights out of the Young Tigers Foundation. “Bruce Leroy” made his professional debut in 2008 and went on to win his first four bouts and five of his first seven overall while participating in regional events in Florida. Thanks to his bubbling personality, Caceres earned a position on TUF 12 and made it into the quarterfinal round before dropping a bout against eventual runner-up Michael Johnson. Caceres finally made his official octagon debut in March 2011 at UFC Fight Night 24 and loss via submission against WEC veteran Mackens Semerzier in the 1 st round of their match-up. He also dropped his follow-up appearance at UFC Live on VS 5 this past August after being submitted by Jimmy Hettes.

Escovedo, 30, is a California born mixed martial artist who fights out of the Pacific Martial Arts training center. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist made his professional debut in 2001 and became the first ever WEC Featherweight Champion one year later in the middle of winning eleven of his first twelve bouts. Escovedo dropped three consecutive bouts in 2006 including two in the WEC ending his stint with the Zuffa-owned promotion. Beginning in 2009, he won six of his next eight while fighting for organizations like Strikeforce, DREAM, and Tachi Palace Fights to earn his way into the UFC. Since making his octagon debut earlier this year, Escovedo lost at UFC 130 against Renan Barao and most recently at UFC 135 lost via TKO against Takeya Mizugaki.

Prediction – Caceres TKO

Mackens Semerzier vs. Robert Peralta

Submission specialist Mackens Semerzier (6-3) will meet striking specialist Robert Peralta (15-3) in a UFC on FOX 1 preliminary card bout that will be contested in the featherweight division.

Semerzier, 31, is a Miami-based mixed martial artist who fights out of Virginia with Team Curran. Semerzier began competing as a professional in 2008 and won his first four while fighting for regional promotions across Virginia and North Carolina. Semerzier earned a roster spot with the WEC in 2009 and won Submission of the Night at WEC 43 with a triangle choke victory over Wagnney Fabiano. After winning his debut over a legitimate opponent, Semerzier lost three in a row for the WEC but was still transferred into the UFC. He rebounded with a UFC Fight Night 24 submission victory this past March over Mackens Semerzier.

Peralta is a Mexican-American mixed martial artist who fights out of San Diego, CA at Team Kadillac. Peralta made his professional debut in 2007 and won five of his first seven competing for the Mexican based MMA Xtreme promotion. He then went on a streak winning eight of his next nine for the Gladiator Challenge organization in California. Peralta won his seventh straight fight on the Strikeforce “Diaz vs. Daley” card with a split decision over Hiroyuki Takaya. His eight straight victories came in his UFC Fight Night 25 debut this past September with a decision victory over Mike Lullo.

Prediction – Peralta TKO

Norifumi Yamamoto vs. Darren Uyenoyama

Veteran Japanese mixed martial artist Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto (18-4, NC) will fight on the UFC on FOX 1 preliminary card in a bantamweight bout against organizational newcomer Darren Uyenoyama (6-3).

Yamamoto, 34, is a Kawasaki, Japan native who fights out of the Krazy Bee gym in Tokyo. “Kid” began competing as a professional in March of 2001 and won his first three bouts while fighting for the Shooto organization. After suffering his first loss in his fifth career bout, Yamamoto went on to win fourteen in a row for promotions such as Hero’s, K-1, and Superbrawl. He signed with DREAM in 2009 but dropped back to back bouts against Joe Warren and Masanori Kanehara before knocking out Federico Lopez at DREAM 14. In his octagon debut at UFC 126 this past February, Yamamoto lost to former number one contender Demetrious Johnson via unanimous decision.

Uyenoyama, 32, is a San Francisco, California native who fights out of the Faito Tamashii Combat Club. Uyenoyama began his career winning two of his first three bouts competing in Japan for the DEEP promotion and in the United States for CCFC. The grappling specialist signed with Strikeforce in 2008 and won all three of his bouts under the Strikeforce name over the course of the next year. Uyenoyama also participated in the DREAM Bantamweight Grand Prix but lost in the 1 st round against Hideo Tokoro. His octagon debut came after his September 2010 TKO victory over Shuichiro Katsumura while fighting in Japan for the Shooto promotion.

Prediction – Yamamoto TKO

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DaMarques Johnson vs. Clay Harvison

The Ultimate Fighter 9 runner-up DaMarques Johnson (12-9) will try and rebound on the UFC on FOX 1 preliminary card when he welcomes TUF 13 competitor Clay Harvison (9-3) in a welterweight bout.

Johnson, 29, is a Utah based mixed martial artist who fights out of Elite Performance. The well rounded Johnson made his professional debut in 2005 and won nine of his first fifteen bouts by competing in local events across Utah and Canada. After earned a spot on TUF 9, Johnson advanced all the way to the final before he was submitted by winner James Wilks. Johnson rebounded to win three of his next four collecting “Submission of the Night” as well as “Knockout of the Night” along the way. In his most recent action, Johnson was again submitted by another TUF winner when Amir Sadollah finished him at UFC Fight Night 24.

Harvison, 31, is a Georgia born mixed martial artist who now fights out of Orem, Utah at the Riven Academy. Harvison made his professional debut in 2007 and won eight of his next ten while fighting on the regional circuit across Georgia. He earned a position on TUF 13 and was chosen 7 th overall by Team Lesnar before advancing to the quarterfinal round where a loss to Ramsey Nijem ended his hopes of winning the show. Harvison was invited to fight on the June Finale and earned a split decision victory over Justin Edwards. He suffered his first octagon loss at UFC Fight Night 25 this past September with a 2 nd round loss against Seth Baczynski.

Prediction – Harvison decision

Cub Swanson vs. Ricardo Lamas

A pair of WEC veterans will meet in a UFC on FOX 1 featherweight bout when Cub Swanson (15-4) meets Ricardo Lamas (10-2) in preliminary card action.

Swanson, 28, is a California born mixed martial artist who fights out of the Jackson’s Submission Fighting team. After dropping his official professional debut in 2004, Swanson went on to win his next nine fighting mostly for the King of the Cage organization. He joined the WEC in 2007 and won three of his first four to earn a Featherweight Title elimination bout. His title hopes were crashed in eight seconds of that WEC 41 bout when current Champion Jose Aldo connected with a flying knee to TKO him. Since that loss against Aldo, the hard hitting submission specialist has won two of his three fights including a WEC 52 bout last November against Mackens Semerzier.

Lamas, 29, is a Chicago, Illinois based mixed martial artist who fights out of the Top Notch camp. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt made his professional debut in 2005 and won his first five while competing for multiple regional organizations. He signed with the WEC in 2009 and won four of his five contests under the Zuffa umbrella defeating opponents like Bart Palaszewski and James Krause. After his WEC 53 loss to Yuri Alcantara last December, Lamas returned at UFC on VS 4 this past June with a TKO victory over Matt Grice.

Prediction – Swanson TKO

Dustin Poirier vs. Pablo Garza

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialists Dustin Poirier (10-1) and Pablo Garza (11-1) will meet in a UFC on FOX 1 preliminary card bout to determine who climbs into featherweight contention.

Poirier, 22, is a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu who fights out of the Gladiator LA team in Louisiana. The three and a half year professional won his first seven bouts while fighting mostly in local events throughout Louisiana. He signed with the WEC in 2010 and lost in his August 2010 debut against Danny Castillo but rebounded to win his final bout in the organization last November. He was transferred into the UFC and has won back to back decisions since. He won at UFC 125 in unanimous fashion defeating Josh Grispi and then added another unanimous decision victory this past June at UFC 131 over Jason Young.

Garza, 27, is a North Dakota based mixed martial artist who fights out of the Academy of Combat Arts. Garza made his professional debut in 2007 and won nine in a row to begin his career while fighting in regional organizations throughout North Dakota. “The Scarecrow” earned the opportunity to fight in the WEC but lost in his lone bout last September via submission against Chinese standout Zhang Tie Quan. He transitioned into the UFC and has won back to back bouts since his December 2010 debut. Garza knocked out Fredson Paixao at the TUF 12 Finale and then submitted Yves Edwards at the April UFC 129 event for his ninth career finish.

Prediction – Garza submission

Clay Guida vs. Ben Henderson

Lightweight contender Clay “The Carpenter” Guida (29-11) will try for his fifth consecutive octagon victory when he meets former WEC Champion Ben Henderson (14-2) in a UFC on FOX 1 co-main event lightweight bout.

Guida, 29, is an Illinois born mixed martial artist who fights out of the Jackson’s Submission Fighting team in New Mexico. After making his professional debut in 2003, Guida split his first six career bouts before going on a roll and winning his next fifteen. Sweeping up the opponents on the Midwest regional fight scene, “The Carpenter” won the Strikeforce Lightweight Title in 2006 by defeating Josh Thomson. His title reign didn’t last long as he was defeated by current Champion Gilbert Melendez in his very first defense. Guida moved on to the WEC shortly after his loss to Melendez and won his only bout there before jumping over to the UFC. He lost three of his first four inside the octagon but rebounded with three consecutive victories to climb up the 155-pound ladder. He did drop back to back bouts in 2009 but again rebounded with his current four fight winning streak that includes a victory this past June at the TUF 13 Finale over Anthony Pettis.

Henderson, 27, is an Arizona based former collegiate wrestler turned mixed martial artist who fights out of the MMA Lab in Glendale. “Smooth” made his professional debut in 2006 and won seven of his first eight while competing on the regional circuit throughout the western United States. The WEC was his next step where he won the Interim Lightweight Championship in only his third bout under the WEC name. He defended his title twice before dropping a WEC 53 bout to Anthony Pettis. Since he moved into the UFC lightweight division, Henderson has looked impressive defeating Mark Bocek at UFC 129 and Jim Miller at UFC on VS 5 this past August.

Prediction – Guida decision

Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos

Current UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez (9-0) puts his title and undefeated record on the line against number one contender Junior dos Santos (13-1) in a UFC on FOX 1 main card bout.

Velasquez, 29, is a California-born mixed martial artist who fights out of San Jose at the American Kickboxing Academy. The former Arizona State University wrestler made his professional debut in 2006 and posted victories in both Strikeforce and Bodog Fight organizations before making his way into the UFC. He gradually worked his way up the Heavyweight division with three stoppage victories before securing his first significant octagon victory at UFC 99 against Check Kongo. He followed with wins over Ben Rothwell at UFC 104, Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera at UFC 110, and Brock Lesnar to capture the belt at UFC 121 last October.

Dos Santos, 27, is a Brazil born mixed martial artist who fights out of Team Noguiera. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt made his professional debut in 2006 and won six of his first seven while competing in regional events across Brazil. He began fighting in the octagon in 2008 with victories over tough opponents like Fabricio Werdum, Stefan Struve, and Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic. He added finish victories over Gilbert Yvel and Gabriel Gonzaga before winning decision for the first time over Roy Nelson at UFC 117. His most recent victory took place this past June at UFC 131 when he earned a unanimous decision victory over Shane Carwin.

Prediction – Dos Santos TKO

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer