UFC Fight Night 25 Preview: The Prelims

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Bantamweights
Ken Stone (9-3, 0-1 UFC) vs. Donny Walker (15-7, 0-1 UFC)

The Matchup: This is a must-win for both guys, particularly Stone, whose hype train coming out of American Top Team was derailed after a massive Eddie Wineland slam in his big-show debut at WEC 53.

Stone was then taken out by the world-ranked Scott Jorgensen’s ground-and-pound in one round. He is athletically gifted and an excellent grappler, but he needs to put a statement performance together against Walker, who struggled in his sole UFC bout -- a decision loss to Jeff Hougland at UFC 132.

In that bout, which was a spirited contest, there was not a lot to take away to suggest Walker is at the UFC level in terms of skill. It is his job to change that perception by denying takedowns, grabbing the momentum early with big strikes and putting doubts in Stone’s head from the jump. On the mat, Walker is going to be operating at a deficit.

The Pick: Stone gets the win here with takedowns, top control and an attack that wears down Walker prior to sinking a fight-finishing submission in the third round.

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