Preview: UFC Fight Night 131 'Rivera vs. Moraes'

Light Heavyweights
Gian Villante (16-9) vs. Sam Alvey (32-10, 1 N/C)
Odds: Alvey (-140), Villante (+120)

After a lengthy career at middleweight, Alvey made a successful return to the light heavyweight division in February, knocking out promotional newcomer Marcin Prachnio in the first round. The move up the scale was prompted by missing weight for the first time in his UFC career, for his October clash with Ramazan Emeev. But a desire for a change of scenery -- particularly to emigrate to an even thinner division -- may have had just as much to do with it. Alvey has maintained a remarkable workrate in the UFC, fighting about every three months since joining the promotion in 2014. In that time, he has fought nearly every middle-of-the-pack 185-pounder on the roster. However, his active schedule has not always translated to activity in his actual fights.

“Smile’n Sam” is a counterpuncher through and through, and his lack of output when opponents are reluctant to engage him is exceedingly frustrating to watch. The southpaw has his left hand cocked and ready at all times, and also has a nice right hook. If forced to lead, he’ll lunge forward with one or two punches at a time, or maybe a leg kick. His hands are reasonably fast, especially now that he is moving up to 205, but his feet are not.

He should have a willing dance partner in Villante, another slugger with heavy hands. His kicks are even heavier. They are probably his best weapon because they do damage while keeping his chin out of trouble. Not that Villante isn’t tough, but he tends to absorb so many strikes -- he has eaten over 100 significant strikes on three different occasions -- that his durability is definitely starting to fade. What is frustrating about Villante isn’t a lack of activity but an inability to adjust. Opponents tend to hit him with the same shot over and over. With southpaw Tom Lawlor, another converted middleweight, it was the right hook over Villante’s jab. With Mauricio Rua, it was the overhand right, again over the New Yorker’s jab. The Bellmore Kickboxing rep is coming off a much-needed win over Francimar Barroso, a grinder tentative to engage in a firefight. And Villante still ate plenty of telegraphed overhand rights as he pressured the Brazilian.

Both men have very strong takedown defense and a desire to throw hands, so this should play out on the feet for the duration. Undoubtedly, the Team Quest standout will back himself to the fence, and Villante will follow. If the New Yorker stays on the outside and kicks, he could score and keep himself safe, just needing to avoid Alvey’s occasional bum rushes. But more likely, he’ll be willing to wade into boxing range, and the counterpuncher will find his chin at will. Alvey logs another knockout in his new weight class, this time in the second frame.

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