Preview: UFC on ESPN 53 Prelims

Heavyweights

Michael Parkin (8-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Mohammed Usman (10-2, 3-0 UFC)

ODDS: Parkin (-142), Usman (+120)

Heavyweight prospects sort things out in this pairing. As the brother of former welterweight champion, Usman’s name is greater than his game at the moment, but “The Motor” has at least done a solid job of progressing over the years. A former football standout, Usman has all the physical talent you would want from a heavyweight prospect, but he has had to overcome a lack of natural aptitude for his second sport. He is awkward on the feet but has gotten increasingly functional there to go along with a wrestling game that works thanks to his natural strength. It is not the prettiest thing to watch, but it is honestly a testament to Usman’s hard work that he has put together three solid wins to make up the entirety of his UFC career thus far. Even a few years ago, Usman would not have been able to get a win like his September victory against Jake Collier over the finish line. Up next for Usman is England’s Parkin, who is in the same boat of being unspectacularly consistent for a heavyweight, albeit without none of the name value that Usman currently possesses. Still somehow on the right side of 30 as a heavyweight prospect, Parkin was mostly able to swamp a weak level of regional competition with his size before making it to the UFC. That is still his preferred way to coast out a win, but he at least showed an ability to strike consistently for 15 minutes against Jamal Pogues before winning a grind against Caio Machado. While neither fight was particularly watchable, Parkin having some consistent skill to build on and also being a natural at this sport puts him ahead of where most heavyweight prospects are at this point in their careers. Parkin could just wear Usman out with pressure, but the bet is that the Englishman struggles against the first real athletic disadvantage of his career. It is unlikely to be pretty, but it is also easy to see Parkin walk himself into getting controlled and held down by Usman rather than having his usual ability to overwhelm his opponents. The pick is Usman via decision.

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Parkin vs. Usman