Get the inside scoop on the early action of UFC first trip to Greenville, featuring a hard-hitting featherweight scrap between Kevin Aguilar and Dan Ige.
After a week off, the UFC returns with a card that feels underwhelming in comparison to recent Fight Night cards. Just because the card is underwhelming on paper doesn’t mean it’s going to suck. It just means there is a lot of unfamiliar talent to most fans. Some of that talent has already flashed the type of excitement the UFC hopes to regularly produce. Luis Pena became a fan favorite from his time on TUF, though his UFC stint has produced mixed results. Jairzinho Rozenstruik produced a highlight reel KO in his UFC debut. Molly McCann appears to have a limited ceiling, but she’s also going to be a top contender for a FOTN bonus any time she steps in the cage. There are plenty of things I could criticize the UFC about, but their matchmaking generally isn’t one of them. This card, despite the lack of name value, is a good example of that.
The UFC Greenville prelims air live on ESPN2 at 4 PM ET/1 PM PT.
Dan Ige (11-2) vs. Kevin Aguilar (17-1), Featherweight
While Ige and Aguilar both had their believers as they entered the UFC, neither were thought to be can’t-miss prospects. Thus far, both have exceeded expectations, tearing through their competitive in the aggressive fashion the UFC brass – like Uncle Dana – like to see out of their fighters. Ige in particular has surprised, securing two finishes in under 77 seconds in his last three contests. Known primarily as a wrestler and grappler upon his entrance, Ige has developed into a sound boxer with enough power to be a KO threat.
Aguilar’s lengthy career on the regional scene saw him develop a loyal fanbase that believed his ticket to the UFC was long overdue from when he finally received it. His two victories over Rick Glenn and Enrique Barzola appear to prove his supporters correct. Like Ige, he’s added more craft to his boxing, graduating from being primarily a hook-winging slugger to better utilization of his jab and defense. However, the biggest key to his success has been his takedown defense holding up strong, giving up no takedowns thus far in his UFC career despite Glenn and Barzola being capable wrestlers at the very least.
Whoever wins this will likely get a shot against a ranked opponent. There’s nothing major in either of their skill sets to separate them from one another, making this difficult to predict. The biggest advantage appears to be grappling skills of Ige, but Aguilar’s ability to keep the fight standing could very well negate that aspect. Both have shown a lot of toughness, so a finish seems unlikely. Expect a split decision. Aguilar via decision
Matt Wiman (16-7) vs. Luis Pena (6-1), Lightweight
Most assumed Wiman was retired. After all, he debuted in the UFC in 2006 and hasn’t been in the cage since 2014. Eight years is a long UFC career and five years is a long time to be away. Nevertheless, there wasn’t anyone who wasn’t surprised when it was announced Wiman would be meeting Pena in the cage. Now Wiman needs to prove he’s still a viable fighter.
Wiman was a consistent action fighter in his prime, at one point securing three straight FOTN bonuses. Consistent pressure is the name of his game, though he’s fairly comfortable throwing strikes at just about any range. Wiman never received enough credit for his wrestling and grappling abilities either, but the questions are numerous. Can he shake off the rust? And if he can, has he evolved enough to keep up with the modern form of MMA? The sport is always changing and Wiman could be left in the dust if he hasn’t evolved.
Pena is being forced back to lightweight by the UFC brass after badly missing weight in his excursion to featherweight. Despite being forced to move up, Pena is still a big lightweight, clocking in at 6’3”. Better known as Violent Bob Ross to fans, Pena’s distance striking is improving, but not sharpened enough that opponents can’t get within his reach. What Pena’s biggest Achilles heel happens to be is his takedown defense. It’s plausible Wiman can get Pena down and submit him, but I don’t feel comfortable picking the man after that long of a break. Pena via TKO of RD1
As for the rest….
- There may not be a scrappier fighter on the roster than Ashley Yoder. That label has positives and negatives. She’s tough, doesn’t quit, and forces her opponent to work for every single advantage. However, Yoder’s physical skills limit how far she’ll go in her career, largely explaining her subpar 1-3 UFC record. Syuri Kondo’s 1-2 record isn’t much better, nor does she have a true advantage as far as her physical skills. However, Kondo owns a technical edge on the feet and has proven difficult to get to the mat. Unless Yoder can turn this into a scramble-fest, she’s unlikely to pull out a W. Kondo via decision
- Allen Crowder is best known for his DQ victory over Greg Hardy at the beginning of the year, though no one would be encouraged about his future based on that performance. Primarily a brawler, Crowder showed a little bit of wrestling in that contest. He’ll need to utilize that here against Jairzinho Rozenstruik, a former professional kickboxer as the native of Suriname is the far more technical striker. More powerful too. It’s hard to see Crowder maintaining a successful wrestling attack. As it is heavyweight, a KO seems most likely. Rozenstruik via KO of RD2
- Few women entered the UFC in the last few years than Ariane Lipski. Unfortunately for the Violence Queen, she fell short of expectations in her debut against Joanne Calderwood. Whether it was Octagon jitters or whatever, she gets a chance to redeem herself against the brawling Molly McCann. McCann is the definition of tough, but she’s also unrefined to the point she’s amongst the most defensively deficient members of the UFC roster. Lipski’s technical Muay Thai should be enough to outslick the Brit. Lipski via decision
- Many are excited about the debut of Deron Winn, a protégé of Daniel Cormier and a legit world-class wrestler. There are reasons to be concerned as Winn is only 5’5” with just five professional contests under his belt. You can get away with being 5’5” at bantamweight. I can’t think of the last middleweight who found success at that height. He gets a short-notice opponent as Eric Spicely returns to the UFC after a pair of TKO victories. Spicely appears to have added a bit more of a physical edge to go with his slick submissions, but given he’s small for middleweight himself, I’d be shocked if Winn doesn’t plow through him. Winn via TKO of RD1
- It doesn’t take much research to discover where the weakness of Andre Ewell lies: in his wrestling. The lanky volume striker can poor on the punishment in a hurry, but he must find a way to remain on his feet in the process. His opponent, Anderson dos Santos, isn’t anything special as a wrestler, but he’s capable in that department and aggressive in seeking submissions to boot. It’s doubtful dos Santos will gas either as Renan Barao did in Ewell’s debut. Expect the veteran Brazilian to pick up his first UFC win. Dos Santos via submission of RD1