155 lbs. Hermes Franca (19-7) vs. Tyson Griffin (13-2)
Odds: (-260 Griffin / +200 Franca) at Sportsbook.com
The opening bout of the pay per view event is a very competitive Lightweight match up between two rising stars in Hermes Franca and Tyson Griffin. Both men have established themselves as forces to be reckoned with at 155 pounds, despite some recent mixed results. Considering how stacked the Lightweight division is, a win here could help distance either man from the pack, while a loss would send either right back to the drawing board.
Franca, an exciting young fighter, has earned a lot of success with his mix of quality stand up and effective grappling. He already has some very big wins in his young career, but recently dropped 2 of his last 3 against quality wrestlers Frank Edgar and Sean Sherk. That said, Franca is going to need to come in to this fight with improved takedown defense unless he wants to make it three of his last four. Franca’s striking and jiu-jitsu are both better than Griffin’s, but to work his gameplan he is going to have to keep Griffin from taking and holding him down.
Griffin, a powerful wrestler who plies his trade out of Las Vegas’ Xtreme Couture gym, has also suffered only two losses in UFC, ironically to the same two men who recently defeated Franca. Griffin is something of an anomaly, in that he is not known for finishing fights, but his decision wins (and losses) are always extremely competitive and exciting.
This is as competitive a match up as you will ever see. Both guys have similar levels of experience and similar records. Stylistically, though, the edge goes to Griffin. Both guys do their best work on the ground, but Griffin’s athleticism and smothering top control are going to make it difficult for Franca to work his submission game from the bottom.
I see this one being competitive, but Griffin should control the majority of the action with takedowns and positional control en route to one his trademark exciting unanimous decisions.
