UFC 227: Dillashaw vs. Garbrandt 2 - Fight Pass prelims preview

Youth is the name of the game for the Fight Pass portion of UFC 227. Marlon Vera is the most experienced member – in terms of fights in the UFC with 8 – and he’s just 25. In terms of age, Kyung Ho Kang is the oldest member on this portion of the card at 30. That isn’t exactly young, but he hasn’t seen his best days yet. Expect to see these guys moving up the pecking order of the card in the near future… except the flyweights. They’re permanently banned from the main card.

The Fight Pass prelims begin at 6:15 PM ET/3:15 PM PT on Saturday.

Alex Perez (20-4) vs. Jose Torres (8-0), Flyweight

Perez and Torres are two of the more promising prospects in a division that is awaiting a fresh crop of challengers to make their way to the top. Perez made his way into the organization through the Contender Series last year and has impressed in his two subsequent fights officially in the UFC. Though he doesn’t appear to have any measurable standout physical characteristics, Perez has begun to maximize his abilities in the last year or so, putting together smooth boxing combinations, an effective wrestling game, and slick submissions.

Torres had plenty of journalists and analysts calling for him to enter the UFC long before he made his way into the organization. Possessing power unusual for a man of his size, his fast hands have helped him immensely in finding his opponents chin. Upon his UFC debut, he did struggle with the speed and takedowns of Jarred Brooks, though it needs to be noted Torres accepted the fight on short notice. If Torres can get his hands on his opponent, he’s a strong wrestler with a penchant for slams.

He may only be 26, but Perez is a polished veteran at this point. He’s been in enough fights that he’s seen everything with experience against top flight talent being the only thing he’s lacking. Though Torres has more physical ability to develop into something special, he still has rough edges that need to be smoothed out. He may have been submitted, but Perez has never been finished with strikes in his career. His savvy and durability allow him to take a decision. Perez via decision

Ricardo Ramos (11-1) vs. Kyung Ho Kang (14-7, 1 NC), Bantamweight

When people talk about the rising batch of prospects at bantamweight, Ricardo Ramos often seems to be left out of the conversation. That’s unfair to the Brazilian as he’ll be 23 as of next week and owns two wins over other prospects on his UFC resume, including a highlight reel spinning back elbow to finish off Aiemann Zahabi. Even though it has been his striking he has utilized to pick up his victories on the big stage, it was his submission abilities Ramos was known for on the regional scene, specializing at entangling his opponents within his long limbs.

Kang returned earlier this year from his mandatory military service for the South Korean army looking like a million bucks once he settled down. Known as Mr. Perfect, Kang is incredibly strong and a talented wrestler. He isn’t the most technical grappler, but he does have a knack for finding chokes, just over half his victories coming in that manner. His striking is still shaky as he tends to fall into bouts of inactivity. Despite that, opponents respect the power Kang possesses.

Though he had been gone for over three years, Kang looked more comfortable in the cage than he ever had upon his return. He has also shown a deep gas tank. That could prove to be his salvation as Ramos tends to break out of the gate fast only to slow significantly in the final round. Ramos assuredly has the skills to put away Kang before the fight gets to that point. He could even put himself up two rounds. However, Kang’s durability and recent maturity leads me to believe he eliminates Ramos late. Kang via submission of RD3

Danielle Taylor (9-3) vs. Weili Zhang (16-1), Women’s Strawweight

Perhaps the smallest fighter on the roster, Taylor is always as a size disadvantage. She has been able to overcome that with her potent counter striking, highlighted by a surprising amount of pop in her fists. However, she also tends to allow her opponent to dictate the pace, often leading to low levels of output. She has shown signs of an improving takedown game, but no one would call it reliable at this point.

Zhang may be the most talented female prospect to come out of China. That may not sound like much to most, but Xiaonan Yan has already proven herself to be a legit UFC talent, indicative of the strides Chinese MMA has been making in recent years. Zhang has been a finishing machine for her career, only one of her victories going the distance. Though best known for her kickboxing abilities, her ground game can’t be slept on either. Her best work is done in the clinch where she either brutalizes her opponents with elbows and knees or trips them to the ground.

One of the advantages to being so small for Taylor is that it’s difficult to get in on her hips and take her down. That hardly means Zhang can’t win a standup battle with her. In fact, Zhang’s more consistent volume should be more than enough to overwhelm Taylor, who has struggled to utilize her power on this level. Zhang via decision

Marlon Vera (12-5-1) vs. Wuliji Buren (11-5), Bantamweight

Though it may not reflect in in his UFC record at 4-4, Vera is one of the most dangerous bantamweights on the roster. The talented Ecuadorian tends to endure a beating for the majority of a fight only to unleash on his opponent for a fight ending sequence. It was a brutal head kick against Brad Pickett. Against Brian Kelleher, it was an armbar from the guard. That explains why John Lineker and Douglas de Andrade were a bit hesitant to go for the kill. However, Vera struggles to put together consistent offense, even if his boxing has improved.

Buren is one of the handful of Chinese prospects who made their debut last fall. He showed the ability to get his opponent to the ground, something he can exploit with Vera. However, Buren struggles to do more than simply maintain position, inactivity costing him in his UFC debut. Even worse, his standup is far from fully developed.

Good MMA article from bloodyelbow