Preview: UFC Fight Night ‘Condit vs. Alves’

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LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Francimar Barroso (16-4, 1-1 UFC) vs. Ryan Jimmo (19-4, 3-3 UFC)

THE MATCHUP: This is a reasonably solid pairing between fringe light heavyweights. Both fighters have been out of action for a while and both are coming off losses, with Jimmo dropping his last fight to Ovince St. Preux and Barroso falling to Hans Stringer. Given the thinness of the division, the winner should have a claim on a top-15 opponent.

Barroso can do a bit of everything. His striking repertoire consists mostly of single shots, though he delivers them with solid timing and good power, and he has a knack for working his strikes around and through his opponent’s defenses. Barroso’s kicks are especially dangerous, as he pulverizes the legs and body with regularity. Defense is a problem, though, and so, too, is volume. As a wrestler, Barroso is reasonably good, with nice trips in the clinch and a decent double-leg, though he has struggled to keep it standing against more skilled opposition.

Grappling is probably his best skill set; while he offers little from his back, he passes smoothly from top position, has real power in his ground strikes and can find the occasional submission.

Jimmo is big, strong and well-rounded. His base is karate, which plays out in good circular movement, powerful kicks and quick, blitzing combinations as he attacks. Despite that striking base, however, the Canadian is most comfortable grinding it out in the clinch. He excels at using head pressure, underhooks and overhooks to control his opponents against the cage, where he wears them down with short knees and punches. He is not an exceptional wrestler, but he can hit the occasional takedown, defends his opponents’ shots very well and knows how to maintain position on top.

BETTING ODDS: Jimmo (-260), Barroso (+220)

THE PICK: This has all the makings of a slow-paced, grinding fight. In that scenario, I favor Jimmo by a substantial margin. He is bigger, stronger, better in the clinch and a substantially more polished and skilled striker at range. The pick is Jimmo by decision.

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