mma / Columns
411’s MMA Roundtable Preview – UFC Fight Night: Mousasi vs. Hall 2
WELCOME:
UFC heads to Belfast for UFC Fight Night 99 on Fight Pass! In the main event, Gegard Mousasi looks to avenge his knockout loss to Uriah Hall! At lightweight, Ross Pearson faces Stevie Ray. In heavyweight action, former Bellator heavyweight champion Alexander Volkov debuts against Timothy Johnson. Plus, Artem Lobov vs. Teruto Ishihara, and more!
THE STAFF:
Preliminary Card
UFC Fight Pass
Welterweight Bout: Charlie Ward vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan
Bantamweight Bout: Brett Johns vs. Kwan Ho Kwak
Bantamweight Bout: Marion Reneau vs. Milana Dudieva
Welterweight Bout: Zak Cummings vs. Alexander Yakovlev
Heavyweight Bout: Justin Ledet vs. Mark Godbeer
Strawweight Bout: Anna Elmose vs. Amanda Cooper
Lightweight Bout: Kevin Lee vs. Magomed Mustafaev
Flyweight Bout: Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Ali Bagautinov
Middleweight Bout: Magnus Cedenblad vs. Jack Marshman
Flyweight Bout: Ian McCall vs. Neil Seery
THE MAIN CARD:
Featherweight Bout: Artem Lobov vs. Teruto Ishihara
Robert Winfree: Teruto Ishihara, TKO, Round 1
Lorenzo Vasquez III: Teruto Ishihara, TKO, Round 2
Dan Plunkett: Ishihara, Decision
The staff picks Teruto Ishihara, 3-0.
Heavyweight Bout: Timothy Johnson vs. Alexander Volkov
Robert Winfree: Alexander Volkov, Decision
Lorenzo Vasquez III: Alexander Volkov, Decision
Dan Plunkett: Volkov, Decision
The staff picks Alexander Volkov, 3-0.
Lightweight Bout: Ross Pearson vs. Stevie Ray
Robert Winfree: This was originally Ross Pearson vs. James Krause, but Stevie Ray is an acceptable substitute after Krause got injured. Ray is a power puncher but his technical abilities are still a work in progress and his grappling leaves a bit to be desired, despite some of those limitations he’s only lost once in the UFC. Ray will be trying to get Pearson to brawl with him, hopefully flat footed and in the pocket where his power will overcome the technical gap between the two. I’m not sure Pearson will fall for that, he’s a very technical striker who’s on a bit of a skid at the moment. Pearson likely knows he’s in a must win situation and will remain smart, tactical, and out work Ray to a decision.
Winner: Ross Pearson, Decision
Lorenzo Vasquez III: Ross Pearson is a technical kickboxer with solid takedown defense and an overall well-rounded game, a veteran and journeyman, and unfortunately for him, a gatekeeper. Nonetheless, he is a tough fight for anyone and a great test for someone like Stevie Ray, especially, considering this is a short notice fight for Ray. Ray is a work in progress, has some good grappling, but is a developing southpaw with good power. Pearson clearly has the edge. He is a better striker and has good takedown defense. But you shouldn’t sleep on Ray, he could pull the upset if he tags Pearson on more than one occasion or finds himself on top of the vet from the ground. He’ll also be the faster and more athletic of the two. The pick, however, is Pearson. Something tells me Pearson will out strike the Scotsman.
Winner: Ross Pearson, Decision
Dan Plunkett: Stevie Ray is 3-1 in the UFC – success foreshadowed by his 10 WCW tag team championship reigns. On the negative side, he’s taking this fight on short notice and is 58 years old. Pearson is solid; you know what your getting from him, but he’s good enough to beat all but the top 20-25 guys in the division. I see Pearson overcoming the immense size difference and taking a decision with superior striking.
Winner: Pearson, Decision
The staff picks Ross Pearson, 3-0.
Middleweight Bout: Gegard Mousasi vs. Uriah Hall
Robert Winfree: Hall’s first win over Mousasi was extremely lucky, borderline fluke really, and Mousasi is hell bent on revenge here. Hall has tremendous striking power but his in cage decision making is questionable and he can be out grappled pretty easily, see the first round of their first fight if you need evidence. Mousasi is one of the most well rounded and consistent fighters in the sport, his striking is technical and powerful and his grappling is generally underappreciated but superb. I picked Mousasi the first time, and really barring another random attack that Mousasi inexplicably ducks right into he should win here and move towards title contention.
Winner: Gegard Mousasi, Submission, Round 2
Lorenzo Vasquez III: This is a rematch and one in which Mousasi hopes he can avenge his embarrassing loss from UFC Fight Night 75. Mousasi is a veteran with a well-rounded skill set. He is a sound kickboxer with very good defensive play. He’s not one for takedown defense, but he has great takedown ability and his submission grappling is high level. Hall, at times, looks like a monster—a force to be reckoned with—but is more often than not is a tremendous let down. He is primarily a striker with an explosive repertoire of kicks, punches, and knees. His athletic prowess is high level. With that said, it is his mental game that holds him back and is preventing him from reaching his full potential. Still, he is a sound and diverse striker and his athletic gifts make him fast, explosive, and powerful. His takedown defense is strong while I feel his ground game is still developing but good enough to help him survive or hold top position. I don’t see why Mousasi can’t avenge his loss. He has more experience and more tools. Hall can’t be trusted as a solid pick. Plus, Mousasi nearly had the first one in the bag. Look for a more focused Mousasi to get the decision. But, don’t be surprised if he finds a way to finish Hall.
Winner: Gegard Mousasi, Decision
Dan Plunkett: Hall showed a year ago that he has the ability to pull off a finish at any point. However, Mousasi was handily winning up to the point he was caught with the kick, he’s only getting better, and Hall is still as inconsistent as he was the first time they fought. Of course Uriah Hall has a shot, but Mousasi is the smart pick.
Winner: Mousasi, TKO, Round 3
The staff picks Gegard Mousasi, 3-0.
Remember to join 411’s coverage of UFC Fight Night: Mousasi vs. Hall 2 on Saturday!
