Preview: UFC Fight Night 151 ‘Iaquinta vs. Cowboy’
Katona vs. Dvalishvili
Bantamweights
Brad Katona (8-0) vs. Merab Dvalishvili (8-4)Advertisement
“The Ultimate Fighter 27” was not particularly impressive, especially given that it was a season of undefeated fighters, but Katona looks to be the clear standout. Katona’s journey from Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Dublin, Ireland, may have resulted in an unholy accent, but it has also given him a solid fighting style, as he has the athleticism to pull off a power striking style and supplement it with solid wrestling. If Katona was not in a bantamweight division that is becoming increasingly flush with young talent, it would be easier to project a high ceiling, but “Superman” already impressed with a one-sided win over Matthew Lopez and should be well-rounded enough to enjoy some success in the Octagon.
Katona takes on Dvalishvili, who is finally coming off of a win in the UFC after some hard luck to start his career. The Georgian got signed in about the most Dana White way possible: Typically an aggressive takedown artist, Dvalishvili scored a sudden spinning backfist knockout with the UFC president in attendance and was immediately offered a contract. Despite that false advertising, Dvalishvili’s pure aggression looked to pay off as soon as he hit the Octagon, but instead he found himself falling just short of victory. Dvalishvili losing a close split decision to Frankie Saenz was standard stuff, but his loss to Ricky Simon was one of the most bizarre defeats in recent memory. Dvalishvili survived a guillotine choke until the final horn of the fight but was out of it enough that the referee retroactively ruled it a technical submission. Dvalishvili recovered with a win over Terrion Ware in September and now looks to get a legitimate UFC run started; and he might be enough of a madman to pull it off.
This should answer a lot of questions about Katona. Lopez wore himself out trying to keep a high pace against the Canadian, but Dvalishvili should be able to maintain a reckless pace for all three rounds. This could be a fight like Dvalishvili’s loss to Saenz, where he controlled most of the fight but allowed his opponent to damage in brief moments. In general, however, Katona does not look like he will be able to handle Dvalishvili’s constant pressure. Dvalishvili should manage to win rounds with aggression and volume this time around, and Katona probably will not be able to fall back on his wrestling. The pick is Dvalishvili via decision.
Next Fight » Harris vs. Spivak
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