UFC on Fuel TV 7 Preview

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Lightweights

Terry Etim (15-4, 6-4 UFC) vs. Renee Forte (7-2, 0-1 UFC): It has been more than a year since Etim was felled by a spinning wheel kick from Edson Barboza at UFC 142 -- a move which earned Sherdog.com’s “Knockout of the Year” honors for 2012. Assuming his psyche is intact, the Englishman’s blend of aggressive standup and savvy submission game should be enough to handle Forte, who was submitted by Sergio Moraes in his promotional debut. Etim rebounds to take this by submission in round one.

Lightweights

Paul Sass (13-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Danny Castillo (14-5, 4-2 UFC): Sass’ mystique took a hit when he was submitted by Matt Wiman in the opening round of their UFC on Fuel TV 5 encounter. However, the master of the “Sassangle” remains a dangerous foe for anyone who dares to venture into his comfort zone. Castillo, a Team Alpha Male product and wrestler by trade, will have to be careful working inside Sass’ guard if he lands a takedown. Castillo will not defend every submission Sass sends his way, as the Englishman wins via tapout in round three.

Featherweights

Josh Grispi (14-3, 0-3 UFC) vs. Andy Ogle (8-2, 0-1 UFC): Gripi was once thought to be next in line to challenge Jose Aldo. After three straight losses in the Octagon, “The Fluke” would probably be content to keep collecting a UFC paycheck at this point. Ogle, meanwhile, displayed decent ground-and-pound in a contentious split-decision loss to Akira Corassani in September. At this point, it is hard to have much faith in Grispi, even against a lower-caliber of competition. Ogle grinds out a narrow decision victory.

Middleweights

Tom Watson (15-5, 0-1 UFC) vs. Stanislav Nedkov (12-0, 1-0 UFC): Inactivity characterized much of Nedkov’s meeting with Thiago Silva at UFC on Fuel TV 6, but when the Bulgarian failed to finish his opponent after a knockdown in round two, he was a spent force. Watson, a former British Association of Mixed Martial Arts titlist, displays superior conditioning and striking to earn a decision.

Bantamweights

Motonobu Tezuka (19-5-4, 0-1 UFC) vs. Vaughn Lee (12-8-1, 1-2 UFC): Tezuka, who lost to Alex Caceres in his UFC debut, favors basic striking techniques to set up his shot. Once on the ground, he looks to advance position and transitions well to various submission attempts. Lee is similarly active on the mat, but he also has a more aggressive striking arsenal. Lee wins by decision.

Flyweights

Ulysses Gomez (9-3, 0-1 UFC) vs. Phil Harris (21-10, 0-1 UFC): It was a rough UFC debut for Gomez, as the former Tachi Palace Fights champion suffered a first-round technical knockout loss at the hands of John Moraga. Harris also suffered defeat in his first UFC outing, as he was out-grappled by Darren Uyenoyama in a second-round submission defeat. Gomez lands his jab consistently and wins enough of the grappling exchanges to take a decision.

“Tracking Tristen”
Overall Record: 27-16
Last Event - UFC 156: 5-6