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411’s MMA Roundtable Preview – UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov

March 17, 2018 | Posted by Dan Plunkett
UFC Fight Night 127

WELCOME:
Fabricio Werdum and Alexander Volkov fight to move one step closer to a heavyweight title shot in the main event of UFC Fight Night! In a light heavyweight rematch, Jimi Manuwa faces Jan Blachowicz. At bantamweight, Tom Duquesnoy fights Terrion Ware. Plus, Leon Edwards vs. Peter Sobotta, and more!

THE STAFF:

  • He’ll lock you in the guillotine, Robert Winfree!

  • He’s 411’s Jack of All Trades, Jeffrey Harris!

  • And your host of this roundtable, Dan Plunkett!

    Preliminary Card
    UFC Fight Pass
    Lightweight Bout: Nasrat Haqparast vs. Nad Narimani
    Heavyweight Bout: Mark Godbeer vs. Dmitriy Sosnovskiy
    Lightweight Bout: Kajan Johnson vs. Stevie Ray
    Light Heavyweight Bout: Paul Craig vs. Magomed Ankalaev
    Featherweight Bout: Danny Henry vs. Hakeem Dawodu
    Welterweight Bout: Danny Roberts vs. Oliver Enkamp
    Middleweight Bout: John Phillips vs. Charles Byrd


    THE MAIN CARD:
    Welterweight Bout: Leon Edwards vs. Peter Sabotta

    Robert Winfree: There’s a UFC event in Europe, so Peter Sabotta must be on it. Sabotta is a good grappler but his wrestling isn’t exceptional and his striking, while miles better than it used to be, is still somewhat limited. Edwards is a tad accepting of being on his back, and he’ll be at a grappling disadvantage but his striking is better and he’s got more power in his strikes as well. I wont be shocked if Sabotta wins but I’m leaning towards Edwards.

    Winner: Leon Edwards, Decision

    Jeffrey Harris: Leon Edwards is definitely on an upswing right now. He’s a surging prospect, and he’s facing Polish fighter Peter Sobotta. Sobotta has also been pretty reliable for the UFC lately, especially in Europe. I’m leaning towards Edwards right now. Sobotta has gotten better, but I think Edwards is more well rounded. He will likely dominate this fight and win a decision.

    Winner: Leon Edwards, Decision

    Dan Plunkett: This is a close match-up. Edwards has the edge of the feet and Sabotta is better on the ground. I lean toward Sabotta.

    Winner: Sabotta, Decision

    The staff picks Leon Edwards, 2-1.


    Bantamweight Bout: Tom Duquesnoy vs. Terrion Ware

    Robert Winfree: This is a gimme for Duquesnoy, who’s a talented and exciting bantamweight but still has a lot of developing to do. Ware has a good jab but doesn’t build off of it at all, and his right hand tends to come in the overhand variety. Duquesnoy is coming off of a loss and should rebound here without much issue.

    Winner: Tom Duquesnoy, TKO, Round 1

    Jeffrey Harris: This basically looks like a get well fight for Tom Duquesnoy. He’s facing the 0-2 in the UFC Terrion Ware, who definitely has the cooler name. I’m not expecting great things for the fight, but hopefully, Duquesnoy will take care of this quickly.

    Winner: Tom Duquesnoy, TKO, Round 1

    Dan Plunkett: Duquesnoy hasn’t lit the world on fire since joining the UFC as one of the best prospects in the sport, but he still has a long time to fine-tune his skills. Ware doesn’t pose much of a threat to him here.

    Winner: Duquesnoy, TKO, Round 2

    The staff picks Tom Duquesnoy, 3-0.


    Light Heavyweight Bout: Jimi Manuwa vs. Jan Blachowicz

    Robert Winfree: Blegh. I hated this fight the first time it happened, and if you forgot that these two fought before I envy you the bliss of ignorance in this instance. Manuwa won a decision in an awful fight the first time, neither guy has changed all that much so I tend to think the same thing will happen.

    Winner: Jimi Manuwa, Decision

    Jeffrey Harris: Considering Jimi Manuwa has three knockout losses in the UFC, which are all of his losses, one might consider him to be a little chinny. At the same time, I don’t believe Jan Blachowicz is all that dangerous to him standing up. I see Jimi Manuwa bouncing back here, and I think he’s ultimately going to stop him in this fight. But, considering that light heavyweight is a wasteland right now, Manuwa can shoot back up the rankings to a contender slot soon because there aren’t a ton of fresh contenders at light heavyweight. These two men fought once before in 2015. The fight then was not anything to write home about. I wouldn’t say that Blachowicz has gotten better since then. However, the field at 205 pounds has thinned out considerably. Manuwa wins.

    Winner: Jimi Manuwa, TKO, Round 2

    Dan Plunkett: You know a division is weak when Jimi Manuwa is fighting Jan Blachowicz in a rematch of an inessential and unmemorable bout from three years before. Manuwa won handily that time, and I don’t see any reason why he wouldn’t this time.

    Winner: Manuwa, Decision

    The staff picks Jimi Manuwa, 3-0.


    Heavyweight Bout: Fabricio Werdum vs. Alexander Volkov

    Robert Winfree: This is a pretty good fight on paper. Volkov has looked pretty good since coming to the UFC, he’s a big and long heavyweight who actually knows how to fight long. He has to keep this standing because on the mat Werdum is likely going to crush him. Now it’s possible that Volkov is able to keep things long and snipe at Werdum until he hurts him, but I tend to think Werdum keeps the fight at a closer distance and eventually gets things to the mat where his game is incredibly well developed.

    Winner: Fabricio Werdum, Submission, Round 3

    Jeffrey Harris: This is a decent heavyweight fight. Will it be a great main event? I guess we shall see. Fabricio Werdum is not a young buck by any means, but he’s still a top heavyweight in the UFC and MMA. I don’t really think Alexander Volkov is going to bring anything to the table here that Werdum hasn’t seen before. On paper, Werdum is a far superior grappler and BJJ practitioner. I also believe he’s a better striker and kickboxer than Volkov. Ultimately, I see Werdum dominating and winning this fight in sound fashion.

    Winner: Fabricio Werdum, Decision

    Dan Plunkett: Werdum’s best bet is to take this to the ground, where Volkov’s height and reach won’t be an issue for him. On the feet, Volkov can edge Werdum out, but I don’t think he stays upright for twenty-five minutes.

    Winner: Werdum, Submission, Round 3

    The staff picks Fabricio Werdum, 3-0.


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