UFC Fight Night Preview & Predictions: UFN 22 Predictions

Pro Fighting Fans is the home of UFC fans across the world and we now bring you the best place to find the latest UFC Fight Night previews & predictions. Along with the main UFC events on Pay Per View, the UFC features up-and-coming fighters several times each year on UFC Fight Night televised live and for free on SpikeTV.

The next Fight Night event for UFC will be UFC Fight Night 22 (UFN 22), held on September 15, 2010, live on Spike TV from Austin, Texas, and our UFN 22 preview is now posted below for UFC fans across the globe to enjoy.

For more UFC events to be held in 2010 and lists of which Mixed Martial Artists are schedule to fight, be sure to check out the future UFC fight cards.

Brian Foster vs. Forrest Petz

Welterweight Forrest “The Meat Cleaver” Petz (18-8) is looking for his third career UFC victory in this his second stint inside the octagon. He will take on Brian Foster (13-5) on the UFC Fight Night 22 preliminary card.

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Foster, 26, is an Oklahoma-based mixed martial artist who trains out of the Illinois-based H.I.T. Squad. After debuting in July 2006, Foster went on to win 12 of his first 15 bouts while fighting in organizations like Masters of the Cage, Pro Battle MMA, and Shine Fights. He signed with the UFC in 2009 and has lost two of his three fights since. He dropped a UFC 103 bout via submission against Rick Story in his debut, defeated Brock Larson in November 2009 at UFC 106 via TKO, and then lost via submission at UFC 110 this February against Chris Lytle. His back looks to be against the proverbial wall in this bout.

Petz, 34, is an Ohio-based mixed martial artist who fights out of the Strong Style Fight Team in the Buckeye state. He made his pro debut in January 2002 and won 11 of his first 13 inside the KOTC, Freestyle Fighting Championships, and Dangerzone organizations. His impressive start earned him a chance in the UFC, where he had a five-fight tenure that saw him win twice and lose three times. After being released following UFC 77, he struggled to find the winner’s circle again. He finally did get back on track with four straight victories while fighting in NAAFS, Adrenaline MMA, and Moosin promotions. He recent success has earned him a spot back inside the octagon this summer, but in his first bout back at UFC 116, he lost via split decision against Daniel Roberts.

Prediction – Petz decision

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Anthony Waldburger vs. David Mitchell

UFC rookie Anthony Waldburger (13-5) will welcome fellow first-timer David Mitchell (11-0) into the octagon at UFC Fight Night 22 on the preliminary card in the welterweight division.

Waldburger, 22, is a five-year professional who fights and trains out of the Texas-based Grappler’s Lair. He has met some well-known competition early in his career, converting victories over Brian Foster, Pete Spratt, Shannon Ritch, and Pat Healy as well as dropping bouts against Spratt, Josh Neer, and Ricardo Funch along the way. Waldburger has appeared with organizations like HD Net Fights, Shark Fights, and Masters of the Cage. He is currently on a three-fight winning streak heading into his octagon debut.

Mitchell, 30, is a submission specialist who trains out of the Nor Cal Fighting Alliance. He made his pro debut in 2006 and has gone on to fight for Gladiator Challenge, CCFC, and Tachi Palace Fights. He has picked up recent victories over the likes of War Machine, Bobby Green, Tim McKenzie, and Poppies Martinez. The win over Martinez took place just last month.

Prediction – Waldburger decision

Rich Attonito vs. Rafael Natal

The Ultimate Fighter 11 veteran Rich Attonito (8-3) returns to action for the first time since his TUF11 finale victory this June when he meets UFC newcomer Rafael Natal (12-2) in a middleweight bout on the UFC Fight Night 22 preliminary card.

Attonito is a New Jersey-born mixed martial artist who calls American Top Team his fight home. He has been competing as a professional since February 2004 for organizations such as Reality Fighting, King of the Cage, and Mass Destruction. He won 3 of his first 4 before dropping 2 of his next 4. Recently, Attonito has been cruising, winning three in a row including a 2 nd round TKO over Jaime Yeager at the TUF 11 finale.

Natal is a Brazil-born fighter who is trained by the Gracie Fusion team in New York, New York. Natal, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, has been fighting as a pro since 2005, winning 7 of his first 8 all in Brazil. Upon coming to the United States, he won 3 straight before dropping a ROC 25 bout against Victor O’Donnell. Since that loss, he has won back-to-back bouts including a 1 st round KO of Travis Lutter in May at a Moosin event. He has won five of his last six overall.

Prediction – Attonito TKO

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Tomasz Drwal vs. Dave Branch

It looks like a must-win situation for both Poland’s Tomasz Drwal (17-3) and New York’s Dave Branch (6-1) as they both enter the octagon in a middleweight contest on the UFC Fight Night 22 preliminary card.

Drwal, 28, is a Poland-born middleweight who owns his own gym there, but also spends some of his training camp in San Diego at the Throwdown Elite gym. Drwal debuted as a professional in early 2004 and won 14 of his first 15 before coming over to the United States and the UFC. He first popped up in the UFC as a Light-Heavyweight and lost his UFC 75 debut against knockout artist Thiago Silva. He turned it around winning three consecutive including two as a middleweight before losing his most recent bout in March against Rousimar Palhares.

Branch is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who trains in New York with Renzo Gracie JJ. Branch turned pro in 2007 and picked up six straight victories including two for the Bellator organization. He debuted inside the octagon at UFC 116 this July and suffered his first loss after Gerald Harris finished on his highlight-reel KO slam. Branch has six finishes to his credit, three coming by way of submission and three by way of TKO.

Prediction – Drwal TKO

Jared Hamman vs. Kyle Kingsbury

A light-heavyweight contest featuring Jared Hamman (11-2) and former TUF 8 participant Kyle Kingsbury (8-2, 1 NC) will go down on the UFC Fight Night 22 preliminary card.

Hamman is a California-based fighter who trains at the VMAT gym with fellow UFC light-heavy Vladimir Matyushenko. He made his pro debut in April 2006 and won his first 9 bouts including fights under the Strikeforce and Sho XC banners. During that span, he defeated opponents such as Travis Wiuff, Aaron Rosa, and also split a pair of bouts with Poai Suganuma. He signed with the UFC in late-2009 and lost his UFC 105 debut via KO against Alexander Gustafsson. He did return in March 2010 at UFC 111 with a unanimous decision victory over Rodney Wallace in a “fight of the night” performance.

Kingsbury, 28, is an American Kickboxing Academy-trained fighter who specializes in both muay-thai and freestyle wrestling. He debuted as a pro in the summer of 2006 and fought for Rage in the Cage and King of the Cage where he posted a 7-1, 1 No Contest record. His only loss during that time came in September 2007 against longtime KOTC champ Tony Lopez. It was then that he participated on the Spike TV-produced TUF 8 show, and even though he didn’t win the tournament or his bout at the finale, earned another shot nevertheless. After losing to Tom Lawlor at the TUF 8 finale, he picked up a split decision victory over Razak Al-Hassan at the October 2009 UFC 104.

Prediction – Hamman TKO

Yves Edwards vs. John Gunderson

Thirteen-year MMA veteran Yves Edwards (38-16-1) will get another chance to compete inside the octagon, this time taking on IFL vet John “Young Guns” Gunderson (23-7) in a UFC Fight Night 22 preliminary card bout in the lightweight division.

Edwards, 33, is a Bahamas-born mixed martial artist who makes his training home in Texas at the American Top Team. He began his MMA career in 1997 and fought for several small organizations before getting his first taste inside the octagon at the September 2001 UFC 33. He fought on and off for the organization over the next five years competing a total of ten times and winning six. He also appeared for PRIDE, WEC, and Shooto during that span. His last action inside the octagon came in July 2006 at UFC 61, since then he has fought for notable organizations like Bodog Fight, HD Net Fights, Elite XC, Strikeforce, and Bellator. He has won four of his last five including a unanimous decision over Luis Palomino at the August 12 th Bellator 24 event.

Gunderson, 31, is an Oregon-based fighter who now trains in Nevada at Xtreme Couture and the Tapout Gym. He made his pro debut in 2002 and won 15 of his first 17 while fighting all over the west coast in some small and mid-major organizations. He joined the IFL’s Nevada Lions and fought there five times from January 2007 through February 2008. He won 5 of 6 to earn a position on the January 2010 UFC 108 fight card opposite Charles Oliveira. He was on the wrong end of a unanimous decision against Oliveira, but was on the winning side of a unanimous decision at the TUF 11 finale in June over Canadian Mark Holst.

Prediction – Edwards submission

Ross Pearson vs. Cole Miller

Former TUF 9 winner Ross Pearson (11-3) will look for his third straight victory when he meets former TUF 5 participant Cole Miller (16-4) in a UFC Fight Night 22 main card bout contested in the lightweight division.

Pearson, 25, is an England-native who trains at Team Rough House in his homeland. The Taekwondo and Judo black belt began his pro career in late-2004 and was successful in eight of his first eleven bouts prior to entering the TUF 9 house. He won the TUF 9 lightweight bracket with his unanimous decision victory over Andre Winner last June. He followed that up with a TKO victory over Aaron Riley at UFC 105 and a unanimous decision victory over Dennis Siver at Fight Night 21 in March.

Miller, 26, is a Georgia-native who trains in Florida at the American Top Team. The BJJ brown belt debuted as a pro in 2005 and won 11 of his first 13 fighting for organizations such as Full Throttle, Shooto, and Absolute Fighting Championships. When he made his way through the TUF 5 house, he earned back-to-back victories in his first two official UFC bouts. He dropped a Fight Night 12 bout against Jeremy Stephens, but rebounded with back-to-back wins before suffering his next loss to Efrain Escudero. He picked up his fifth octagon victory in January at UFC 108 with a submission of the night performance over Dan Lauzon.

Prediction – Pearson TKO

Jim Miller vs. Gleison Tibau

An intriguing lightweight bout featuring Jim Miller (17-2) against Gleison Tibau (21-6) will take place on the main card at UFC Fight Night 22. Miller is looking for his fifth straight octagon victory, and Tibau will be looking to reign victorious for the third straight time.

Miller, 26, is a New Jersey-born former collegiate wrestler who turned pro five years ago. He won 11 of his first 12 while fighting for the IFL, Reality Fighting, and Ring of Combat organizations. In October 2008 at UFC 89, Miller earned his debut victory against David Baron. Overall, he won his first two inside the octagon before losing to Gray Maynard at UFC 96 in March 2009. He has since won four in a row including a March UFC 111 unanimous decision over Mark Bocek.

Tibau, 27, is a Brazil-born BJJ specialist who trains out of the American Top Team in Florida. He made his debut in 1999 and won 13 of his first 15 before getting a chance in the UFC. He has now fought eleven times inside the octagon since his November 2006 UFC 65 debut. Some of his notable victories include Terry Etim, Jeremy Stephens, Josh Neer, and Caol Uno. He has won four of his last five including the last two, the latest was a March UFC Fight Night 21 TKO of Caol Uno.

Prediction – Miller decision

Efrain Escudero vs. Charles Oliveira

The Ultimate Fighter 8 lightweight winner Efrain Escudero (13-1) will try for back-to-back octagon victories when he meets undefeated Brazilian Charles Oliveira (13-0) in the UFC Fight Night 22 co-main event.

Escudero, 24, is a Mexican-born mixed martial artist who trains out of the MMA Lab in Arizona. He turned pro in 2006 and won all 10 of his bouts prior to coming into the TUF 8 house. He won the TUF 8 crown by defeating Phillipe Nover in December 2008, and then followed that up with a victory over Cole Miller at UFC 103. He suffered his first career defeat at UFC Fight Night 20 losing against Evan Dunham via submission, but won his most recent bout in May at UFC 114 over Dan Lauzon.

Oliveira is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt who trains out of the Bronx Gold Team USA. He became a professional in 2008 and won his first 12 bouts before coming into the UFC, eleven of the twelve came while fighting in Brazil. He earned an April 2009 victory in the New Jersey-based Ring of Combat organization as well. He also was able to get the victory in his UFC on VS 2 debut August 1st with a submission over Darren Elkins which earned him submission of the night honors.

Prediction – Escudero TKO

Nate Marquardt vs. Rousimar Palhares

Former UFC middleweight contender Nate Marquardt (29-9-2) will try and get back on track in the UFC Fight Night 22 main event taking on up-and-coming Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist Rousimar Palhares (11-2), who happens to be on a three-fight winning streak.

Marquardt, 31, is a Wyoming-born mixed martial artist who now trains with Jackson’s Submission Fighting and High Altitude Training. He began his professional MMA career in April 1999 and won 7 King of Pancrase titles through the first six years of his career. He joined the UFC in 2005 and won his first four bouts, earning a UFC 73 title opportunity against Anderson Silva. Silva knocked Marquardt out in the 1st round and handed him his first defeat inside the octagon. He was also defeated two bouts later in a tight split decision loss against Thales Leites. After the Leites loss, he put together three straight victories before losing again in his most recent bout in February at UFC 109 against Chael Sonnen.

Palhares, 30, is a Brazilian-native who trains with the Brazilian Top Team. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt began competing as a professional in 2006 and won 7 of his first 8 prior to joining the UFC in 2008. He won his UFC 84 debut submitting Ivan Salaverry, but dropped his next bout at UFC 88 against Dan Henderson via unanimous decision. Since that loss, he has been victorious in three straight fights, defeating Jeremy Horn, Lucio Linhares, and in March at UFC 111, Tomasz Drwal.

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer

Past UFC Fight Night Previews & Projections:

• UFC Fight Night 21 Predictions: Florian vs Gomi
• UFC Fight Night 20 Predictions: Maynard vs Diaz
• UFC Fight Night 19 Predictions: Diaz vs Guillard
• UFC Fight Night 18 Predictions: Kampmann vs Condit
• UFC Fight Night 17 Preview: Lauzon vs Stephens
• More UFC predictions & fight previews from ProFighting-fans.com
• More MMA news articles from ProFighting-fans.com