UFC Fight Night 132 - Singapore Breakdown
When is UFC Fight Night 132? Saturday 23rd June, 2018 - 13:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 132? Singapore Indoor Stadium, Kallang, Singapore
What channel is UFC Fight Night 132 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 132? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
Donald Cerrone vs Leon Edwards
The legend Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone takes on the up-and-coming Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards in Singapore for UFC Fight Night 132 which is a compelling match-up.
Cerrone has had a phenomenal career and is an all-time fan favourite as he doesn’t only have a sensational skill set but he comes to put on a show every time he fights. He is exciting, aggressive and loves nothing more than exchanging leather with the best fighters in the world.
Edwards is becoming one of the best welterweights in the world. He has flown under the radar of a stacked division and has put together an impressive five-fight winning streak. Like Cerrone, he is incredibly well-rounded and represents the best Britain has to offer right now.
Prediction
This fight will be fought at a very high pace with little room for error. Cowboy is a threat from anywhere as he is elite on the feet and on the ground. He is less interested in points and more interested in the chin of his opponent which he will hunt with aggressive combinations of punches and kicks thrown from a variety of angles.
As a true modern Mixed Martial Artist, Edwards is competent everywhere but if he struggles to match the ferociousness and velocity of strikes thrown from Cerrone, he may rely on his grappling. Rocky has proven he can close out tough fights by grinding them down with punishment. This may be his best route to victory – especially in the clinch – but if the fight goes to the ground, he has to be wary of Cowboy’s underrated Jiu-Jitsu.
The attitude of Cerrone is the only thing that could let him down. He has the skills to beat anyone in the division but if he doesn’t take Edwards seriously he will be in for a long night. The 26-year-old however, is as motivated and determined as ever and knows this is the biggest opportunity of his career.
Winner: Edwards via Decision
Striking and grappling stats sourced via FightMetric.
Ovince Saint Preux vs Tyson Pedro
We have a big exciting clash for the co-main event in Singapore. These two light heavyweights are natural finishers and do not do boring fights.
Tyson Pedro has looked electrifying in his young career, finishing every fight he has won. He was 6-0 before taking on Ilir Latifi back at UFC 215 but was outclassed, losing via a decision. However, he got back to old ways by brilliantly submitting Saparbek Safarov with a kimura.
Ovince Saint Preux (OSP) has also lost to Ilir Latifi and this was in fact his last fight which snapped a three-fight winning streak. He now has another dangerous opponent in Pedro, but OSP is probably the Aussie’s most dangerous assignment so far.
Prediction
They are both going to hunt the finish and most likely succeed. Which way it goes will be very hard to call but the damage will be done on the feet at first. They have extremely heavy hands and feet and they require just one shot to end the fight which is why their defence is crucial.
They both also have very dangerous ground games capable of pulling off an array of submissions. So, this is unlikely to go the distance with heavy strikes causing enough damage to end the fight or set up a submission to seal the victory.
It could go either way but you just can’t ignore the elite experience of OSP who has been fighting among the best light heavyweights in the world for three years.
Winner: Ovince Saint Preux via KO/TKO
Jessica-Rose Clark vs Jessica Eye
Two experienced ladies are hoping to climb the rankings in the fresh flyweight division. Jessica Eye is desperate to pick up some form after losing six of her last eight fights but has a very tricky match-up in Jessica-Rose Clark who has looked great in her two UFC performances.
This is the toughest test of the Aussie’s career but she has been very active, fighting as often as possible which has helped her ease into the UFC with confidence. Her last two wins included decisions over Bec Rawlings and Paige VanZant.
PREDICTION
Clark takes pride in her output and she will look to overwhelm Eye on the feet. Although Eye has struggled in recent years, she still has all the credentials to put on an impressive performance and a win.
Eye is very well-rounded and will be grateful to have an opponent that will be willing to stand with her. She is also a great athlete and boxer like Clark and this is likely to be a frenetic stand-up battle. As both lack that heavy knock-out power, this is likely to go to a decision.
Clark has the form but Eye has the experience.
Winner: Eye via Decision
Li Jingliang vs Daichi Abe
The main card in Singapore kicks off in style with Li Jingliang and Daichi Abe. They are fully expected to throw down as both are looking to bounce back from a loss; Jingliang suffered his first loss in five fights which came via a decision to Jake Matthews whereas Abe suffered the first loss of his career against Luke Jumeau which was also a decision.
They both have very promising careers ahead of them and are big stars in their respective nations with very exciting styles. So, it will be intriguing to see how they perform at UFC Fight Night 132 on the back of a loss.
PREDICTION
They are both expected to come out aggressive and land early. Their predatory instincts have earned them huge success and they will both back their power to finish the fight. That said, they both have strong chins and are hard to put away so effective movement will be key to wear each other down.
This is Abe’s biggest fight of his career and if he takes home the win it is likely to be with a KO/TKO. However, Jingliang has priceless experience of nine UFC fights and has more tools with a dangerous submission game so has to be the favourite.
Winner: Jingliang via Decision
