UFC Fight Night 20 Preview

Tom Lawlor vs. Aaron Simpson

The Breakdown: Perhaps best known for his imitation of the infamous “Just Bleed Guy” and his decision to enter the cage to “Who Let the Dogs Out?” it has become obvious that Lawlor went to the school of ironic self-promotion. All the chunky chain necklaces and preposterous haircuts in the world, however, will not help him against the berserker barrage of Simpson, best known for turning human beings into road kill in the cage.

Lawlor needs to fight fire with fire by using his wrestling to keep Simpson from working the frantic pace he utilizes to overwhelm opponents. Therein rests the rub, as Simpson’s own wrestling pedigree and comic bookish combination of speed and strength have made it virtually impossible for anyone to slow him down.

Though Lawlor has proven a solid wrestler in his own right, he remains far from world-class and lacks the physical talent necessary to keep Simpson under control. With takedowns virtually out of the question, he will be forced into exchanges where survival will be just as unlikely as success.

The X-Factor: For a guy who seems to live in a parallel dimension, Lawlor has turned into a truly well-rounded fighter, and his talent for submissions has become something to keep an eye on. C.B. Dollaway learned that lesson at UFC 100 when a sloppy shot landed him in a fight-ending guillotine choke. Simpson’s own relentless style makes him prone to the sort of over-aggressiveness that has short-circuited many a prospect.

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The Bottom Line: Until Simpson faces the next tier of UFC competition, he will keep going Honey Badger on anyone unfortunate enough to cross his path. Lawlor will be no exception, as Simpson flat-out stomps him midway through the first round with a ground-and-pound flurry that answers once and for all who let the dogs out.