UFC 150: Henderson vs. Edgar II Prelim Recap

Nik Lentz celebrating his victory over Eiji Mitsuoka. 

This was a solid night of fights that was sadly capped off with controversy. Every fight but two were entertaining and the prelims only had one fight go to a decision. This entire card was stacked from top to bottom with lower weight class fighters, something that has been slowly taking over the UFC with their entertaining fights and incredible speed. Let’s take a look at those fights and give some possible matchups.

Nik Lentz vs. Eiji Mitsuoka: Outclassed is the best word to describe Mitsuoka’s performance Saturday night. Lentz was clearly the stronger fighter and had the advantage everywhere that the fight went. He hurt Eiji with a beautifully placed knee on the chin that dropped him. Lentz got his back from there and slammed him, only to finish Mitsuoka off with strikes shortly thereafter. With that now making Mitsuoka 0-2 in the UFC with two TKO stoppages, he will most likely be cut.

Possible matchups for Lentz: Nik Lentz looked like he was on a whole other level to that of Mitsuoka. He rocked him, out grappled him, and finished him with strikes. He has the strength and wrestling ability to become an elite featherweight and the fighter to kick-start just that would be Matt Grice, who is coming off a dominating victory over Leonard Garcia. They are similar fighters and I believe Nik Lentz would take that fight.

Dustin Pague vs. Chico Camus: This was Dustin Pague’s third fight in three months, and it showed. Although he won the first round on two of the judges’ scorecards, he ultimately ended up losing the unanimous decision to the newcomer out of Roufusport.  Chico showed off a solid top game, especially for someone who is mainly known for his striking game. That’s now two in a row for Pague and 1-3 overall in the UFC. I would be surprised to see him back in action under the UFC banner.

Possible matchups for Camus: After his impressive performance, Camus clearly has a bright future. He fights with some of the best in the world: Ben Askren, Anthony Pettis, and Erik Koch, meaning that he might have what it takes to eventually be on the same level. If he wants to make it to that level, Vaughan Lee is still waiting for an opponent after his loss to TJ Dillashaw.

Ken Stone vs. Erik Perez: I was telling my dad as this fight started that Stone has one of the worst chins at 135. Right after I was done telling him about the brutal Jorgenson loss, he was dropped and finished. It couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. I really believe he should be cut and here is why: his only legitimate win was over Donny Walker (who isn’t exactly the greatest), three losses via 1^st round KO, not just TKO, but KO. And lastly, his last win was a slightly controversial decision over Dustin Pague who took the fight on one weeks notice, and only two weeks after his previous win. That, in my opinion, deserves a pink slip.

Possible matchups for Perez: Perez is the next big thing at 135. At only 22 years old, he has so much time to grow and he is already 2-0 in the UFC with two 1^st round stoppages, one by submission, and one by KO. Along with the fact that he trains out of Jackson’s and Winklejohn’s, he has what it takes to become an elite bantamweight. Edwin Figueroa and Perez are both looking for a step up in competition and that fight would be fireworks.

Jared Hamman vs. Michael Kuiper: I have to admit that I thought Hamman would rather easily dispose of the 23 year old Kuiper. But the Holland native really impressed me with his striking. Hamman was winning the first half of the opening stanza but Kuiper quickly turned that around with some nasty leg kicks that tore one of Hamman’s leg muscles. Kuiper would end up finishing Hamman with strikes in the 2nd round.

Possible matchups for Kuiper: At only 23 years old, Kuiper has a lot of time to round out his striking game, for it isn’t very technical. Chris Camozzi was originally supposed to fight on this card against Buddy Roberts but was then injured. Camozzi is visibly improving after each fight and I’m sure he’s itching to get back in there. A fight between these two would have the potential of being a barnburner.

Possible matchups for Hamman: Jared Hamman is one of the toughest guys in the UFC. He guts out big injuries and when he’s horribly rocked, he pushes forward. Rafael Natal and him are both coming off 2^nd round KO losses and are looking for rebound fights.

Dennis Bermudez vs. Tommy Hayden: Bermudez could be one of the first TUF runner-ups in a long time to actually be able to do something in the UFC. Although his chin is still suspect; which was shown with the knee that Hayden landed and almost KO’d Bermudez with. Bermudez still recovered and defended the rear naked choke that Hayden almost had. Dennis came back and submitted Tommy Hayden with a standing guillotine with seconds to spare in the first round. That Makes “Wild Card” 0-2 in the UFC with two 1^st round submissions, leading to the dreaded pink slip.

Possible matchups for Bermudez: Bermudez is one of the strongest guys at 145 in the UFC. He can outwrestle a lot of the guys at featherweight, almost purely based on strength. Sam Sicilia is fighting the winner of TUF: Brazil, Rony Jason. Bermudez should fight the winner of that fight if he wants to prove himself.

Click here for the main card recap!