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Kicking off the evening will be a light heavyweight encounter as Todd “Bulldog†Brown (15-2-0) takes on Igor “The Duke†Pokrajac (22-8-0). Todd Brown is currently winless in UFC competition, having suffered a defeat to Tim Boetsch at UFC 117. Igor Pokrajac may be fighting for his job with this encounter, as he has lost three of four fights in the promotion. Igor Pokrajac is the superior striker in this fight and that exceptional skill will save the fighters job for now.
Up next is a middleweight division fight as Dave Branch (8-1-0) takes on Rousimar “Toquinho†Palhares (11-3-0). Dave Branch is best remembered by most UFC fans for being slammed unconscious by Gerald Harris at UFC 116, but has won two straight in the UFC. Rousimar Palhares has always been on the verge of being a contender in the middleweight division, but losses to Dan Henderson and Nate Marquardt held him back. This fight will most likely be fought on the ground, which is a spot that Rousimar Palhares is far superior to his opponent in.
The middleweights will continue to compete next as Rob “The Rosedale Reaper†Kimmons (23-6-0) faces Dongi “The Ox†Yang (9-1-0). Rob Kimmons has competed six times thus far in the UFC, rotating the wins and losses each time he has stepped in the octagon. Dongi Yang made his UFC debut several months back at UFC 121, losing to Chris Camozzi by split decision. This is a classic striker versus grappler battle and it is a battle that the grappling Rob Kimmons will be winning.
The next encounter is a bantamweight battle as Reuben Duran (7-2-1) takes on WEC veteran Takeya Mizugaki (13-5-2). Reuben Duran enters this fight as a late replacement for Francisco Rivera, who had to pull out of the fight after suffering an injury during training camp. Takeya Mizugaki makes his UFC debut in this fight after a five fight stint in the WEC, where he won two of five in the promotion. The experience advantage that Takeya Mizugaki brings into the fight will help him edge out a victory.
Headlining this preliminary card will be a lightweight fight as Shane Roller (9-3-0) takes on Thiago Tavares (15-3-1). Shane Roller could make an immediate impact in the UFC Lightweight Division, but he had won six of eight in the WEC. Thiago Tavares is a lightweight fight who has been on the verge of a breakthrough in the division, and has won two straight over Manny Gamburyan and Pat Audinwood. While Shane Roller is on a hot streak right now, it is the grinding style of Thiago Tavares that will net the fighter a victory.
You can contact David Tees at bigteesps3@yahoo.com
