UFC Fight Night 33 Preview

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Bantamweights

Julie Kedzie (16-12, 0-1 UFC) vs. Bethe Correia (6-0, 0-0 UFC): Kedzie’s UFC debut was a rough one, as she struggled to break free from the clinch of the much larger Germaine de Randamie in July. Size will not be an issue against the 5-foot-4 Correia, who trains with Patricio Freire and Patricky Freire in Brazil. Correia is a patient fighter with basic striking skills and a grinding style on the mat. Kedzie has the better standup and should not get overpowered as she was against de Randamie. Kedzie wins by decision.

Bantamweights

Nam Phan (18-11, 2-4 UFC) vs. Takeya Mizugaki (18-7-2, 5-2 UFC): After a few years of alternating wins and losses, Mizugaki is suddenly on a three-fight winning streak after outpointing highly touted prospect Erik Perez at UFC Fight Night 27. His ability to wrestle and force tie-ups will be the difference here. Phan is a skilled boxer, but he will have difficulty forcing too many exchanges against an opponent who will press the action throughout. Mizugaki takes a decision.

Middleweights

Caio Magalhaes (6-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Nick Ring (13-2, 3-2 UFC): Magalhaes, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, looks for his second Octagon win after submitting Karlos Vemola at UFC on Fuel TV 10. Ring is a capable grappler, but he is more likely to use his kickboxing to stay on the outside. Magalhaes’ task will be to close the distance against his opponent’s accurate striking and get the fight to the floor. Ring wins by decision.

Flyweights

Richie Vaculik (9-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Justin Scoggins (7-0, 0-0 UFC): Vaculik competed at lightweight on “The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes,” losing to eventual winner Norman Parke in the reality show’s opening round. It is a significant drop for 30-year-old Aussie, although he has primarily competed at bantamweight for most of his career. The 21-year-old old Scoggins is relatively untested, although he does have experience going into the fifth round of a fight. Scoggins has a kickboxing background, but he will eventually have to defend himself on the ground against the submission-oriented Australian. Vaculik snatches a submission in round three.

Middleweights

Bruno Santos (13-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Krzysztof Jotko (13-0, 0-0): Jotko has appeared exclusively on the European circuit thus far, finishing six of his 13 triumphs by knockout, technical knockout or submission. The powerfully built Santos, meanwhile, is a solid grappler but not much of a finisher: the Nova Uniao product owns 11 of his 13 wins by decision. Jotko does not have the power to truly threaten the Brazilian on the feet, but he risks being grinded down in a grappling battle. Santos earns a decision.

Welterweights

Alex Garcia (10-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Ben Wall (7-0-1, 0-0 UFC): Wall, an alum of “The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes,” replaces the injured Andreas Stahl. Garcia, a product of the renowned Tristar Gym, would seem to be the better athlete with the higher ceiling. Garcia wins by TKO or submission in round two.

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TRACKING TRISTEN

Overall Record: 249-145
Last Event (“The Ultimate Fighter 18” Finale): 9-1
Best Event (“The Ultimate Fighter 18” Finale): 9-1
Worst Event (UFC 156/UFC on Fuel TV 8/UFC Fight Night 28/UFC Fight Night 32): 5-6