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UFC 141 UNDERCARD
BY: MMA WRITER CHRIS PALMA
Manny Gamburyan Vs. Diego Nunes
Former TUF finalist Manny Gamburyan has his hands full in this match up taking on the explosive Nova Uniao fighter, Diego Nunes. Nunes holds a 1-1 UFC record, beating fellow champ Mike Thomas Brown, before losing a close decision the always game Kenny Florian.
Gamburyan will likely be looking to avoid the UFC chopping block by avoiding his 3rd straight loss in as many outings. Since his TKO loss to champ, and training partner of Nunes, Jose Aldo, he also dropped a majority decision to former light weight stand out Tyson Griffin.
Like all fights at these lower weights expect a fast paced and exciting fight. Minus a big punch from Gamburyan I do not see him having much to offer Nunes, on the feet or on the canvas. Expect Diego to come out guns blazing en route to a 2nd round TKO victory.
Jacob Volkmann Vs. Efrain Escudero
“Great just what the UFC needs, another boring wrestler” screamed the irate Junie Browning on that episode of TUF, but this bout will be the epitome of what he was screaming at Efrain for that night. With both of these fighters coming in with wrestling pedigrees expect the type of grinding, slow paced bouts, that are sometimes hard to watch.
2011 has been a very busy year for the TUF winner Escudero, following his release from ZUFFA at the end of 2010. This will be his sixth fight this year, in which he has posted a 4-1 record, with his only loss, a decision, coming at the hands of Stikeforce vet and always game Fabricio Camoes. Efrain comes in with a good all around game with some power in his hands, good wrestling, and proficient submission game. That being said, his wrestling pedigree is trumped by that of his foe.
A three time NCAA All American Wrestler at the University of Minnesota, Jacob Volkmann is no slouch in the grappling department. With being said his stand up is sometimes hard to watch. Which is what make this fight so tough to call. Carrying a 4 fight win streak into the cage with him, we all know what Volkmann’s game plan is going to be. Expect him to out wrestle and over power a game but over matched Escudero en route to a ho hum decision victory.
Danny Castillo Vs. Anthony Njokuani
Castillo steps up to the plate on just a few weeks notice to face Njokuani, an exciting striker, as Njokuani’s original opponent, Ramsey Nijem, was forced to withdraw just a few weeks proir to the fight with an undisclosed injury.
Njokuani is an exciting Muay Thai specialist, which he showcased in his UFC debut, losing a razor close decision to fellow Thai boxing specialist, Edson Barboza. The decision could very well have very well went Njokuani’s way, until an electrifying tornado kick stumbled Njokuani with just seconds remaining. He followed this up with a win in his sophomore performance, outpointing Andre Winner at UFC 132, this past July.
Castillo, a hard-nosed wrestler, is a product of Team Alpha Male. Coming off of a knock out victory last month against Shamar Bailey, he will look to add another W to his UFC record of 2-1 with a victory over Njokuani. He debuted in the octagon with a victory over TUF alum Joe “Daddy” Stevenson, however falling short in his second outing getting out pointed by fellow wrestler Jacob Volkmann.
Castillo is no pushover on the feet, as he owns 5 career victories by KO or TKO. Even so his striking is not on the same level of Njokuani. In order to win this fight Njokuani needs to utilize his reach, using his long limbs to control the distance, while using his footwork to avoid take downs. Castillo should implement the same game plan Shane Roller used in his fight with Njokuani. Get the fight to the mat, and keep it there. Expect Castillo to take him down, soften him up with some ground and pound, and sink in a submission for the first round submission victory.
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