UFC 188 is rapidly approaching, and all the press is geared toward the main event. That bout, a UFC title unification in the heavyweight division between Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum, is the biggest bout in that division in a long time.
With all the big stars, there are plenty of guys who are being overlooked on the card. These are guys who don’t have the name recognition, but they have the talent to one day work up the card and become players in their divisions.
With that, let’s look at three overlooked fighters at UFC 188 you should keep your eye on this weekend, as they could make a big splash on the card.
Johnny Case
Slowly but surely, Johnny Case has established himself as a lightweight to watch in the UFC.
An Iowa native, Case has taken his game to Alliance MMA in California, where he has elevated his career through great training and commitment. He has gone from a finisher to a high-level finisher, which makes him that much scarier.
His time in the UFC has been brief, but it has been impressive. He is 2-0, choking out Kazuki Tokudome in Japan before knocking out Frankie Perez in Boston.
He is an aggressive, move-forward type of fighter who doesn’t visit the judges very often. You combine that with a great stylistic matchup against Frank Trevino come fight night, and Case becomes a target you should watch out for on the prelims.
Clay Collard
Most guys don’t get a lot of props when they compete in a losing effort in their UFC debuts. Clay Collard is one of the few exceptions, as the iron-jawed power puncher took a late-notice bout against top 145er Max Holloway and put on a show before ultimately taking the loss.
Collard is never going to wow anybody with his world-class abilities. In fact, he gets by based on toughness, willingness to engage and killer instinct.
That’s all you need sometimes when you are involved in a fist fight.
He has the raw ability and finishing prowess to make things interesting while making an opponent feel uncomfortable. Most opponents don’t like getting walked down by an aggressive lunatic, which is why Collard thrives.
Watch this man on the prelims. Not only will you be entertained, but your eyes will be opened to an exciting, blue-collared fighter.
Albert Tumenov
When it comes to sheer destruction and violence, few UFC welterweights can match the devastation that Albert Tumenov brings to the Octagon. That’s what makes him must-see TV.
Tumenov, a 23-year-old Russian, is still young in his career, but his highlight tape is longer than the intro to Patton. He takes to the cage with the intention of collecting souls, one vicious knockout at a time.
And other than a controversial loss in his UFC debut, he has been proficient. He doesn’t get the referee to pull him off you as you cover up; he knocks you clean out, with toes curled, eyes rolled back and a concussive state settling in like the Mormons in Utah.
Another win for the Russian is a huge deal. Hopefully, it gets him on television, as opposed to yet another UFC Fight Pass bout.
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