UFC on Fuel TV 9 Preview: Main Event and Co-Main Even Preview

UFC on Fuel TV 9 is going to be an important night in MMA, and it is on free-to-view television.  The main even and co-main event are both important fights, despite the last minuet change to the main event.  Here is a preview from the two biggest matches from tomorrow’s UFC on Fuel TV 9.

Pearson vs Couture

Being the son of an MMA legend does not mean you get anything handed to you.  That is a point that has been made clear in the case of Ryan Couture, son of legendary fighter Randy Couture.  Ryan Couture fought in Strikeforce for seven fights and proved himself by winning six of those fights.  He will now get his UFC debut.  Again, however, this is not a match that this getting handed to Couture.

Ross Pearson,  The Ultimate Fighter 9 winner, tried is luck as a featherweight with little success.  He recently bumped back up to a lightweight and impressed everyone by knocking out George Sotiropoulos.   Pearson will be looking to make another big statement by spoiling the debut of the son of a legend.

Couture is the less seasoned fighter in this match.  Pearson’s experience over Couture has to be a major concern considering that Couture is simple not going to be able to hang with Pearson, a boxing and judo expert, on his feet.  Couture has a strong background in wrestling, and while Pearson can hold his own on the ground it is not his strong suite.  The majority of Couture’s wins have come via decision but he also has a pair of win via submission.  Keeping Pearson off his feet should be Couture’s biggest concern.

Pearson on the other hand can throw some fierce punches.  Pearson is going to put a lot of pressure on Couture staying close and wearing him down with boxing jabs in an attempt to lure Couture’s guard to go for a KO punch.  However, Pearson has been known to get careless when in the heat of a flurry.  This could be Couture’s chance to take advantage of Pearson.

Pearson is favored to win this fight with a -400 money line.  To bet on Couture the money line is at +300.

Mousasi vs Latifi

Alexander Gustafsson was originally scheduled to take on Gegard Mousasi.  Gustafsson suffered a cut above his right eye causing the Swedish MMA Federation to pull the hometown hero from the fight.  Dana White called the decision to pull Gustafsson the “worst decision he’s ever seen.”  Regardless this light heavyweight main event has been shaken up.  Ilir Latifi has stepped up and agreed to take this fight on super short notice (four day notice) in order to keep a light heavyweight maineven at UFC on Fuel TV 9 alive.

Latifi is a Swedish MMA fighter and will be making his UFC debut.  This is a tremendous opportunity for Latifi who has only nine fights on his MMA record and is 7-2 on those nine fights.  Latfi’s wins are split between submission and KO victories.  It will be interesting to see what kind of strategy Latifi takes against Mousasi.

Mousasi’s strategy is not likely to change regardless of the change in opponents.  Mousasi will look for a KO victory unless he finds himself on the ground.  In which case he will utilize his dangerous submission game to take out Latifi.

Mousasi is the huge favorite with a -1000 money line.  To bet on Latfi the money line is at +600.