UFC Fight Night 22 Preview: The Prelims

Jared Hamman vs. Kyle Kingsbury

Nearly a year removed from a lackluster Octagon win over Razak Al-Hassan, Kingsbury’s return bout comes against Hamman, who earned his spot in the UFC with an absolutely wild win against Rodney Wallace. Contrasting those two wins, it becomes obvious why Kingsbury isn’t considered long for the UFC roster while Hamman has a chance to stick around and make his name.

Although Hamman won’t ever be a world-beater, he’s that classic prospect who starts making serious strides as soon as being a full-time fighter becomes financially feasible. A rangy striker with a sneaky powerful right cross and surprising muay Thai skills in the clinch, Hamman’s technique isn’t always the best, but he makes up for it with a swarming, relentless style. It’s a style that Kingsbury lacks both the wrestling and the striking to effectively neutralize.

An in-between fighter who will switch from boxing to wrestling depending on the situation, Kingsbury isn’t particularly strong at either. He lacks the power to pose much of a threat, and while Hamman is notoriously open for right hand counters, his telescopic reach will make exchanges a one-sided affair. The wrestling is a different story since Hamman is basically a human takedown magnet, and Kingsbury has some decent fundamentals.

However, banking on a top-control-fueled win for Kingsbury is unrealistic thanks to Hamman’s active guard. Whether it be short, chipping strikes or perpetually shifting hips, the VMAT product knows how to make himself a nuisance on the floor and uses his length quite well to escape to the feet via scrambles. Kingsbury has yet to prove he can rely on his wrestling to win fights at this level, and Hamman isn’t the guy to test out new strategies on.

Unless Kingsbury has made some strides during his fistic layoff, he just doesn’t have the tools to pose a significant threat to Hamman. The best Kingsbury can hope for is a competitive fight, as Hamman’s style lends itself to in-cage insanity. Far more likely is Hamman finding a home for his poleaxing right cross and lacing up a stoppage late in the game on a weary Kingsbury.