Diggin’ Deep on UFC on FOX 26: Lawler vs. dos Anjos - FS1 prelims preview

Get the scoop on all six FS1 preliminary contests from UFC on FOX 26, featuring light heavyweight swinger Jared Cannonier stepping up to face Jan Blachowicz.

As usual for a FOX card, the FS1 prelims for UFC on FOX 26 features six contests. There may not be any name fighters, but there are several contests that offer promise. Jared Cannonier has developed a bit of a cult following. Galore Bofando is a wild card of epic proportions. Tim Elliott is always fun, so is Oluwale Bamgbose — at least for the first five minutes. If you really want to skip the prelims, I won’t blame you. There isn’t anything earth-shattering, but if you’ve got nothing better to do other than watch Cops reruns, this may be a better alternative… just saying.

The FS1 prelims begin at 5:00 PM ET/2:00 PM PT on Saturday.

Jan Blachowicz (20-7) vs. Jared Cannonier (10-2), Light Heavyweight

Though Cannonier fell short when given a step up against Glover Teixeira, he rebounded with an absolute shellacking of Nick Roehrick. Perhaps he isn’t the next big thing that many thought he was, but Cannonier is still a quality 205er with a penchant for violence. His power gets all the attention, but he possesses underrated boxing skills, throwing slick combinations while establishing his distance with a snapping jab. His footwork doesn’t get enough attention either as he does a fantastic job of avoiding his opponent’s return fire. Cannonier does need to shore up his takedown defense as it cost him against Teixeira and nearly did the same against Ion Cutelaba.

Though Blachowicz has garnered far more scorn than Cannonier, he possesses a very similar skill set. Blachowicz moves forward while switching stance, targeting his opponent’s body with brutal kicks. He has good timing on his counters as well if his opponents turn into the aggressor. Like Cannonier, Blachowicz is prone to having his back put against the mat. Unlike Cannonier, Blachowicz has some submission skills he uses to combat his opponents top attack. Blachowicz has been working hard to improve his takedown defense as of late, successfully fending off Devin Clark’s attempts and having early success against Patrick Cummins before his stamina betrayed him.

This could prove to be a contest of who is able to get the other on their back first in each round given both possess enough wrestling to take the other down even if their defensive wrestling has more than a few holes. Blachowicz may have the edge in terms of pure grappling, but Cannonier does a far better job of managing his gas tank. Here’s hoping for a fun standup affair, though an ugly grindfest is just as likely. Either way, I favor Cannonier. Cannonier via decision

Julian Marquez (6-1) vs. Darren Stewart (7-2, 1 NC), Middleweight

Marquez made a hell of an impression on the Contender Series, knocking the formerly touted prospect Phil Hawes out with a brutal head kick. A brawler with TNT in his fists, Marquez is the type of fighter Uncle Dana loves to promote as he has a tendency to eat a lot of punishment himself. Given his iron-clad chin, opponents usually look to take him to the ground, though Marquez has shown some underrated takedown defense. Don’t sleep on his submissions either. His brawling style is a bit deceptive, but Marquez knows how to sink in a choke if the opportunity presents itself.

Stewart already fell short to one Contender Series alum in Karl Robeson, finding himself submitted by the former kickboxer. A dangerous fighter early in the contest, Stewart’s an aggressive clinch fighter constantly looking to drag his opponent to the mat where he can unleash his brutal ground-and-pound. The problem is that the Englishman doesn’t offer much diversity beyond that, allowing opponents to easily prepare for him. Another issue is that he isn’t the cleanest wrestler, often relying on his brute strength rather than technique.

Stewart has some power in his punches and doesn’t mind getting into a brawl, giving him a chance. It’s just hard to see him beating Marquez at the American’s own game. As far as if Stewart can suck Marquez into his game, Marquez may even be better there than Stewart. One way or another, Marquez will find a finish. Marquez via TKO of RD1

Chad Laprise (13-2) vs. Galore Bofando (5-2), Welterweight

Bofando’s debut was far more memorable than anyone would have believed. Then again, he was facing Conor McGregor teammate Charlie Ward, hardly a top-level talent. Bofando knocked Ward silly with by throwing him to the ground. If anyone is expecting a similar outcome this time around, then lightning does strike in the same place twice. A tae kwon do practitioner, Bofando throws a lot of fancy kicks in his all-offense, no-defense strategy. Regardless of how well it plays out against high level competition in the UFC, it has proven to be entertaining as hell.

Laprise is a much more meat-and-potatoes fighter, relying heavily on a jab with kicks used more as a complementary piece of his offense rather than the centerpiece. He has good timing on his counters as well, not to mention an underrated clinch game. Many –myself included – were worried that his transition to welterweight wouldn’t go well given he’s small for 170, but he held his own against the much bigger Brian Camozzi.

No one questions who the better athlete is here: Bofando. However, his flashy style doesn’t seem to have a lot of substance to it. Laprise isn’t a special fighter by any means, but he’s a smart fighter who knows how to attack his opponent’s weakness. Though I admit there are some questions to whether Laprise will be able to wrestle the stronger Bofando to the ground, he should be able to outpoint him on the feet. Laprise via decision

Tim Elliott (15-8-1) vs. Pietro Menga (13-0), Flyweight

Elliot was originally scheduled to face Justin Scoggins in what likely would have been a loser-leaves-town contest. It could be fortunate for him that Scoggins pulled up lame with an injury. Elliott has long been one of the most aggressive and unorthodox flyweights on the entire roster. He improved his striking technique during his time away from the UFC, becoming a functional boxer with sound combinations while maintaining some of the awkwardness that made him effective before. Elliott has also put a greater emphasis on his wrestling, taking Louis Smolka down 12 times in their contest in April.

Scoggins’ replacement, Menga, is a bit of a mystery as he has fought only a single time in the last three years. Regardless, he has a number of similarities to Elliott in that he pushes a ridiculous pace while aggressively searching for submissions; chokes to be more specific. Don’t sleep on his guard either as he can throw up a triangle choke with lightning speed. His striking is pretty solid too, throwing tight and technical strikes. Power has been a question for him before, but he scored a one-punch KO in his last outing.

Menga was once a highly touted prospect before his prolonged absence from the sport. What I’m getting at: this is going to be a much more competitive contest than most believe… provided he hasn’t lost anything. The biggest knock on Menga is the lack of quality competition he has faced. It’s enough for me to favor Elliott as he pushed Demetrious Johnson further than anyone else in recent years. Then again, he was submitted by Ben Nguyen in less than a minute. I suppose I’ll have to close my eyes as I make my pick…. Elliott via decision

John Makdessi (14-6) vs. Abel Trujillo (15-6, 1 NC), Lightweight

In the last year, Makdessi has unfairly become more of a punchline than anything else. Remember, he was scheduled to fight Sage Northcutt. Yes, he’s hit a rough skid where he has lost three of his last four, but losses to Donald Cerrone and Yancy Medeiros are nothing to be ashamed of and everyone knows Lando Vannata is talented even if he is rough around the edges. Makdessi isn’t as durable as he once was, nor is he as explosive. Nonetheless, those weren’t the qualities he relied heavily upon when he was in his prime. Long a master of controlling and understanding distance, Makdessi is still one of the most technical strikers in the division with underrated takedown defense.

Trujillo is a different fighter stylistically than Makdessi. Brutal in the clinch and prone to brawls, Trujillo is anything but technical. Fortunately, he has enough power and toughness to make the style work for him. Trujillo has picked up an undeserved reputation as a poor wrestler after being the victim of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s record of 21 takedowns in a single contest… but it was Khabib! Trujillo is actually a pretty good wrestler in his own right… provided he isn’t facing any type of wrestler himself. That doesn’t describe Makdessi….

To be fair to Makdessi, he isn’t the only fighter showing signs of slowing down. However, Trujillo’s chin hasn’t declined at the rate Makdessi’s has. Makdessi is technical enough that he could put Trujillo out cold – he’s done it before with a single strike – but the safe money is on the opportunistic Trujillo to put Makdessi away one way or another. Trujillo via KO of RD2

Alessio Di Chirico (10-2) vs. Oluwale Bamgbose (6-3), Middleweight

Refined would hardly be the best way to describe Di Chirico or Bamgbose, but that is part of what makes them fun. Especially Bamgbose. A great athlete with excellent burst and explosion, Bamgbose is about as dangerous of a foe as you will find in the first round of a contest. After that… not so much. Fundamentals like footwork, angles, and head movement completely elude him, relying instead on his physical skills to launch himself at his opponent with flashy kicks and spinning attacks in abundance. As you can guess, this leaves him gassed even before the first round is over, though it would be unfair to say he doesn’t continue to throw the occasional desperation power strike after that.

Di Chirico is also heavily reliant on his physical talents, but not nearly in the same neighborhood as Bamgbose. A counter striker with a sound kicking game, Di Chirico can push a solid pace consistently over the course of 15 minutes. However, he doesn’t have the single strike power possessed by Bamgbose. Expect Di Chirico to utilize his reactionary takedowns early while looking to close the distance and grind away against the fence in the latter rounds.

Bamgbose has shown progress in his defensive grappling skills. Aside from that, he has shown zero interest in harnessing his explosive attack to make it more sustainable for 15 minutes. His opponents know this, meaning if they weather the early storm, they can pick him apart. Di Chirico has shown the toughness and athleticism to avoid the early danger Bamgbose poses, though it’s hardly a guarantee he will. I’m banking he does and finishes a flagging Bamgbose late. Di Chirico via TKO of RD3