UFC: Fight Night 23 “Fight for the Troops 2” Evan Dunham – “Measuring Up”
Twenty-nine year old Oregon-based mixed martial artist Evan Dunham must have believed that his position in the UFC lightweight division was on the decline after dropping a close split decision against Sean Sherk this past September at UFC 119. While that was always a possibility, Dunham was given a chance not only to stop that possible decline but was given a chance to vault his way into the upper-echelon of the lightweight division. That opportunity came when Kenny Florian dropped out of a headlining gig at UFC Fight for the Troops 2 opposite Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard on January 22nd.
Dunham began his career in April 2007 fighting for Gladiators Challenge in Northern California. He pounded out seven straight victories, including six stoppages, while competing for other mid-level promotions like Rise FC, Elite Warriors Championship, Desert Brawl, and Palace FC. That was enough for the UFC to sign him to a contract and match him with Swedish striker Per Eklund in his debut. Victories over Eklund (UFC 95), Marcus Aurelio (UFC 102), Efrain Escudero (UFC Fight Night 20), and Tyson Griffin (UFC 115) put him in a legitimate contender’s position in the lightweight division. However, Dunham let his UFC 119 bout with former Champion Sean Sherk go to the judges and therefore was handed a split decision loss in his fifth UFC bout and 12th career bout.
Usually a fall is anticipated and a match-up against a struggling fighter would be expected, but instead Dunham was given Guillard, a former The Ultimate Fighter 2 participant who has won three in a row and six of his last seven overall. The decision to match him up against a fighter that is riding high with momentum should be viewed as a sign of respect. Whether it was meant as respect or not, Guillard will present several problems for the well-rounded Dunham when they finally meet.
Although Dunham is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and a top-notch grappler, Guillard is tough to get a hold of. If Dunham can find a way to put his opponent on the canvas, he should be able to capitalize much like Nate Diaz did when he stopped Guillard at their UFC Fight Night 19 bout in September of 2009.
If Dunham is unable to put Guillard on the ground, then the fight takes a whole new direction. Dunham’s hands are solid, he did record a KO in his UFC 95 debut, but Guillard’s are much quicker and much stronger. If they decide to stand and trade, Dunham is likely to be on the wrong side of the exchanges. However, if Dunham picks his spots and mixes in some takedowns and clinch work, he should remain strong. As long as he keeps a level head and maintains his emotions, it should stay a competitive striking battle.
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A victory over a streaking Guillard would carry a great deal of weight. Already near the top of the 155-pound division, any type of victory would put him 2-3 victories out from a possible championship bout. If Dunham is able to finish the Greg Jackson-trained fighter, he would take it even an extra step and allow him a future bout with one of the division’s top 3.
On the flip side, a loss to Guillard would make it back-to-back losses and put not only his title hopes out but also would put his job with the company in jeopardy. Once a fighter loses a couple of bouts his confidence takes a hit and he can look like a whole different fighter. That makes this fight an important and pivotal fight to Evan Dunham’s career.
An opportunity was given after the first loss of Evan Dunham’s career but it’s now up to him to make the most of it. His challenges are there but great fighters are measured on how they respond after they fall down. Considering Dunham’s loss was his first of his career, he will be measured after this fight. There is no doubt that he is a good fighter, but if Dunham is going to be more than just good, this is his chance to prove that.
By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer