UFC Fight Night 34 Preview
The Prelims
Katsunori Kikuno has finished his last four foes in the first
round. | Photo: Taro Irei/Sherdog.com
Lightweights
Quinn Mulhern (18-3, 0-1 UFC) vs. Katsunori Kikuno (21-5-2, 0-0 UFC): After a first-round technical knockout loss to Rick Story in his Octagon debut, Mulhern has elected to drop from welterweight to 155 pounds. The former King of the Cage champion has an active submission game, but it will be more interesting to see how he adjusts to the karate stylings of Kikuno, who is known for his crescent kicks. Unlike Story, Kikuno will not be able to physically overwhelm the Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts product. Mulhern wins by decision or submission.Bantamweights
Jon delos Reyes (7-2, 0-0 UFC) vs. Dustin Kimura (10-1, 1-1 UFC): Thus far, Kimura has shown a dangerous ground game and guard but has struggled when pressured on the feet. Reyes, a Pacific Xtreme Combat veteran, enters the bout having won four straight fights, two by technical knockout and two by submission. Like many of the newcomers on these international cards, a big question for Reyes will be how he adjusts to the pressure of competing on a larger stage for the first time. His opponent has already been there twice. Kimura snatches a submission.Advertisement
Featherweights
Max Holloway (7-3, 3-3 UFC) vs. Will Chope (19-5, 0-0): The 23-year-old Chope has won 14 fights in a row and, at 6-foot-4, might very well be the tallest featherweight in MMA. He will have to employ his reach and length effectively against Holloway, who at 5-foot-11 is usually accustomed to being the rangier fighter. With that said, Holloway is capable of landing strikes at a high volume if Chope allows him to get into a rhythm. Holloway wins by decision or late TKO.Lightweights
Tae Hyun Bang (16-7, 0-0 UFC) vs. Mairbek Taisumov (20-4, 0-0 UFC): Besides having a last name suited to combat sports, Bang also has faced some solid competition over the course of his career, dropping three-round verdicts to UFC talents Takanori Gomi and Jorge Masvidal under the Sengoku banner. Bang, who trains at Korean Top Team with Hyun Gyu Lim, is more of a counter striker. Taisumov, meanwhile, has finished all but one of 20 triumphs inside the distance. Bang takes this one by decision.Bantamweights
Leandro Issa (11-3, 0-0 UFC) vs. Russell Doane (12-3, 0-0 UFC): Doane has some decent experience in title fights for various promotions, as well as some fairly skilled hands. Additionally, he is active in scrambles and works to achieve dominant positions, although his wrestling leaves something to be desired. He should have the striking advantage against Issa, who tends to be a little wild on the feet and usually uses his standup as a means to get the fight to the canvas. If Issa cannot secure a submission in the first round, Doane should be able to pull ahead on points and win a decision.Bantamweights
Dave Galera (5-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Royston Wee (2-0, 0-0 UFC): This fight is the poster child for the UFC’s plans to expand its reach via international talent development. Wee only has two professional fights to his credit and has not competed since December 2011. Additionally, those two opponents have a combined 0-3 record. These are hardly credentials that scream UFC-ready. The Universal Reality Combat Championship bantamweight titleholder, Galera has more experience and has fought more recently. Galera lands a submission in round two.***
TRACKING TRISTEN
2013 Record: 267-158-1
Last Event (UFC 168): 8-3
Best Event (“The Ultimate Fighter 18” Finale): 9-1
Worst Event (UFC Fight Night 33): 4-5-1
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