UFC Fight Night 24: Preliminary Bouts Preview

If you’re in the mood for some MMA, you’re in luck. Not only will UFC Fight Night 24 be live on Spike TV tonight, but five preliminary bouts will be featured on Facebook, as well. Hell, you could even watch Bellator on MTV2 at the same time as you check out the Facebook prelims if you really wanna get your MMA fix.

For sure, the prelims are full of talented young fighters and feature a few matchups that could turn into memorable scraps. Here’s what to expect in tonight’s preliminary bouts.

Nik Lentz vs. Waylon Lowe

These two lightweights feature very similar styles, as both will use striking to set up their takedowns and are wrestlers at heart. Lentz is known for winning a rather, ummm…”close” decision against Tyson Griffin, while Lowe overcame a solid thrashing at the hands of Melvin Guillard to put a couple of wins together.

Lowe may have an edge in the striking department, but both will be so focused on denying takedowns that it’s hard to say whether he’ll take advantage of that edge, anyway. Lentz is probably the better grappler in MMA, and has proven it against better competition. Lentz takes a competitive decision.

Prediction: Lentz by decision

Mario Miranda vs. Aaron Simpson

This is a good matchup between two solid fighters that are struggling to stay afloat in a competitive division. Simpson will be particularly desperate for a win, having dropped two in a row. However, he holds a distinctive edge over Miranda in that he will be able to take Miranda down all night long.

Miranda may be a better striker and showed against Demian Maia that he’s a tough fighter to finish, but that won’t matter as time is ticking off the clock and Miranda is stuck on his back. Miranda may have his moments, but Simpson will control his way to a safe, if unexciting, win here.

Prediction: Simpson by decision

Johny Hendricks vs. Anthony Waldburger

Waldburger is an impressive young fighter who brings a refreshingly aggressive submission game to the cage with him, as seen in his UFC debut against David Mitchell. However, Hendricks is on another level. He’s superior in just about all areas and will be able to dictate the pace and location of the fight with relative ease.

Waldburger may flash some potential throughout the bout, but Hendricks will likely be all over him for the duration. Hendricks has impressive power in his hands and can elect to take the fight down, but may not need to do so, anyway.

Prediction: Hendricks by KO/TKO

Sean McCorkle vs. Christian Morecraft

This one is pretty much a pick ‘em, as even though the two fighters have different skill sets, the likely-frenetic pace early on and the implications of two 265+ lb. men swinging at one another can yield a variety of possible results.

I haven’t been overly impressed with either fighter, but I do like McCorkle’s ground game, which I think will yield the ultimate result in his favor. Morecraft could always land something early on, but he fades rather quickly and that presents just another reason why I feel inclined to go with McCorkle.

Prediction: McCorkle by submission

Edwin Figueroa vs. Michael McDonald

Not the Michael McDonald that ruined the Doobie Brothers, mind you.

Figueroa is a late injury replacement who has had about one week to adjust to the reality of facing McDonald on the biggest stage of them all. Figueroa boasts the requisite undefeated record from his regional adventures, but that means little against an opponent the caliber of McDonald.

McDonald is effective in all areas and will likely get off to a quick start in this one. I don’t know that Figueroa will be able to withstand the early storm. He may have a bright future, but this is a tough way to make your UFC debut.

Prediction: McDonald by KO/TKO

John Hathaway vs. Kris McCray

Despite the recent loss to Mike Pyle, I still feel that Hathaway is one of the best prospects in the welterweight division. He brings a great ground game with excellent takedowns to the cage, and will frustrate McCray early and often while threatening with submissions and some good old ground and pound, to boot.

McCray is a good enough fighter with some relatively dangerous striking, but I don’t see him being able to stop Hathaway from imposing his will here. McCray may come out with guns blazing because his back is against the wall after consecutive defeats, but Hathaway should still roll over him here.

Prediction: Hathaway by submission

Jon Madsen vs. Mike Russow

These two appear to be very similar fighters, and to a certain extent that is true. Both have good wrestling credentials and are similarly-sized. However, while Madsen is more of a one-note wrestler in the cage, Russow has better finishing skills both in regard to striking and submissions.

Madsen would be a safe enough pick to win by decision because he will stick doggedly to his game plan, but Russow showed tremendous resilience and power in his last appearance (ten months ago!) against Todd Duffee. I’ll take Russow in a real coin-toss matchup.

Prediction: Russow by KO/TKO

Alex Caceres vs. Mackens Semerzier

We all know Caceres from his “Bruce Leroy” antics on The Ultimate Fighter, and Semerzier is a WEC veteran making his UFC debut. I’m actually a little surprised that Semerzier is around, considering he went 1-3 in his WEC tenure after losing three straight. Still, he is a talented fighter beyond what his record indicates.

Caceres likes to strike, but under his own terms. He needs distance and time to operate, and gives me the impression of someone who doesn’t want to get into a brawl. Therefore, Semerzier needs to avoid giving Caceres room to operate in this one. Semerzier should have an edge here because he’ll pressure Caceres, maybe even plant him on the mat from time to time. He’ll make Caceres uncomfortable, and eventually may be able to break him.

Prediction: Semerzier by KO/TKO

E-Mail Jon Hartley

Tags: Alex Caceres, Anthony Waldburger, Christian Morecraft, Demian Maia, Edwin Figueroa, John Hathaway, Johny Hendricks, Jon Madsen, Kris McCray, Mackens Semerzier, Mario Miranda, Michael McDonald, Mike Russow, Nik Lentz, Sean McCorkle, UFC, UFC Fight Night 24, Waylon Lowe