UFC Fight Night ‘MacDonald vs. Saffiedine’ Preview

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FLYWEIGHTS

Patrick Holohan (10-0-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Chris Kelades (6-3, 1-2 UFC)

THE MATCHUP: Irishman Holohan makes a quick return after submitting Josh Sampo in his UFC debut in Dublin two months ago. He faces 33-year-old newcomer Kelades, who makes his first appearance in the big show on less than a week’s notice after Louis Gaudinot pulled out due to an encounter with pneumonia.

Kelades is a big flyweight with reasonably diverse skills. His striking game revolves around low kicks and punching combinations interspersed with the occasional flying knee; on the ground, he has a nose for the submission. Kelades even has that rarest of finishes, a gogoplata, on his record, though it came against an opponent who was 0-3. Wrestling seems to be a problem for him, as he has struggled to stuff well-timed takedown attempts.

Holohan has an unorthodox style that builds off his outstanding speed. At striking range, he employs a movement-based, in-and-out style -- think poor man’s Dominick Cruz -- that features frequent stance switches and low hand positioning. The rangy Irishman stands 5-foot-9, throws hard low kicks and has surprising power in his hands, as he fires constant combinations with a particular fondness for the uppercut. A skilled grappler, Holohan utilizes an unorthodox and dangerous guard, switching constantly between triangles, omoplatas and even the occasional gogoplata attempt, all while harassing his opponent with sharp elbows from his back. He also scrambles beautifully and has a knack for finding the back. Wrestling is a weak point; though Holohan is not entirely unskilled, bigger, stronger opponents such as Josh Hill, whom he faced in the elimination round on Season 18 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” have had success in throwing him around and controlling him.

BETTING ODDS: N/A

THE PICK: Given the lack of available information and video on Kelades, it is hard to tell exactly what to make of him. What is out there, however, suggests Holohan will be and should be a substantial favorite, especially given the fact that Kelades is coming in on such absurdly short notice. The pick is Holohan by submission in the second round.

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