Reasons To Watch UFC 172 Prelims

Judging by the fighters on the UFC 172 card, the finishes should come quick and they should come often. Obviously it's hard for fighters to deliver every single time they throw down, but if you're having doubts about watching the event, we're here to change your mind!

We'll start with the action packed prelims, and as you may or may not of heard, Joe Ellenberger vs. Vagner Rocha has been scrapped because of an injury to Vagner Rocha, so Danny Castillo vs. Charlie Brenneman has been moved to the televised Prelims.

Fight Pass Prelims

(Photo Courtesy Of Zuffa)

Chris Beal vs. Patrick Williams
If you aren't familiar with these guys, I'll give you some idea what these guys bring to the table. First off, Chris Beal featured on TUF 18 and fought the eventual winner of that season Chris Holdworth, he didn't do to well against Holdsworth but he did have a injured hand. On that season he showed his power and striking abilities. His opponent, Patrick Williams is... Well, he is not the most decorated fighter, and I don't see the reason why the UFC have signed him. Yes, he is on a two fight winning streak but his overall record is 7-3 while Beal's is 8-0. He hasn't fought any UFC calibre opponents yet and I think he will be in for a short night when he faces Chris Beal. I don't see either guy making a run for a UFC title, but I do see Beal finishing this fight early with a big right hand.
Televised Prelims

(Photo Courtesy Of Zuffa)

Danny Castillo vs. Charlie Brenneman 
Last time out Danny Castillo (16-6 MMA, 6-3 UFC) came close to stopping Edson Barboza (13-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC), he rocked Barboza early and almost finished with a choke, but Barboza survived and won via Majority Decision. Brenneman (19-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC) initially put together a 4-4 record inside then UFC, but was then cut, he went on a succesful 5 fight win streak outside of the UFC, then got his chance to return, he fought Beneil Dariush at UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Phillipou, after starting off pretty well, he was submitted by Dariush and once again is on the verge of being cut by the promotion. No matter who wins this fight, it should be an exciting one that will have fans on the edge of their seat.

(Photo Courtesy Of Zuffa)

Jessamyn Duke vs. Bethe Correia
No matter who's fighting, the women's division is always exciting, and this fight should be no different. Jessamyn Duke (3-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) was a team Rousey contestant on TUF 18 and showed her ground skills and striking skills on the show, she battered Peggy Morgan in her UFC debut and in my opinion, Duke has a lot to offer in the UFC, I'm not saying she can even trouble Rousey, but I think she will be a hell of a gatekeeper. On the other side of the cage will be Bethe Correia (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), she is also undefeated and could also be a mainstay in the Women's Bantamweight Division. Correia defeated Julie Kedzie at UFC Fight Night 33 in Australia via Unanimous Decision. In the Kedzie fight she didn't look bad. At the end of this fight, one of these women will have a loss on their record and a hell of a lot of fans will be delirious with excitement.

Takanori Gomi vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg

(Photo Courtesy Of Zuffa) 

This fight may just steal Fight Of The Night honors, both have hard hands and a hard head, and both love to scrap it out. This fight features a veteran of the sport and a fighter who is still pretty new to the sport. Takanori Gomi (34-9 (1) MMA, 3-4 UFC) has dynamite in his hands and would love to show it against Isaac Vallie Flagg (14-4-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) is coming off a surprise Unanimous Decision loss to Elias Silverio, he didn't perform anywhere near his best that night and will be looking to get back to winning ways with a victor over Takanori Gomi at UFC 172, both guys love to swing, and both guys don't mind getting hit, there isn't a promised finish here, but there should be some hard shots landing and some exiting moments for fans to look forward to.

Joseph Benavidez vs. Timothy Elliot
When first announced, MMA fans assumed this fight would be on the main card, but it is not, it does headline the preliminary card though. This fight has all the makings to be exciting, first off, they are flyweights, when are flyweights not exciting?! Secondly, they are both coming off losses and are desperate for a win. Joseph Benavidez (19-4 MMA, 6-2 UFC) recently lost to Champion Demetrious Johnson (19-2-1 MMA, 7-1-1 UFC), he was finished and more importantly knocked for the first time in that fight, so there is going to be questions about how his chin will hold up after being put to sleep for the first time. Timothy Elliot (10-4-1 MMA, 2-2 UFC) will be aware of this and will definitely look to clip Benavidez, and if he does, we will find out how Benavidez's chin is holding up. This fight should be a fast, powerful and exciting affair that will entertain everybody watching.


Thank you for reading and if you are having any doubts about the main card, see our Reasons To Watch UFC 172 Main Card.

-John.