Diggin’ Deep on UFC Hidalgo: Poirier vs. Johnson Fight Pass preview

The UFC goes about as far south as you can go without crossing the border this week and the flavor of the card reflects that. The two Fight Pass fights reflect that as each contest features a native of Mexico, each of whom are TUF Latin America winners facing inexperienced but talented opponents. There is little reason to get excited at first glance, but there could be real promise on this online offering.

The Fight Pass prelims start at 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT.

Erick Montano (7-3) vs. Randy Brown (7-1), Welterweight

Reality TV anyone? Montano was one of the recent winners of TUF Latin America while Brown was one of Dana White’s early finds on his most recent excursion into reality TV, Lookin’ for a Fight.

As TUF continues to slide out of importance in the eyes of MMA fans, Montano’s tournament victory meant next to nothing. It may guarantee him a second fight if he loses here and though two consecutive losses is the usual standard fare for a ticket out of the organization, the UFC has regularly cut TUF alum after a single loss. Montano doesn’t have a lot more room to grow so that added security may be of comfort to him.

Brown has a lot more room to grow as he is still very raw. He’s has shown flashes of his talent, including his victory in his UFC debut against Matt Dwyer. However, Michael Graves exposed his lack of wrestling and grappling skills in handing the youngster his first loss. If it holds true that you learn more from your losses, Brown could look significantly improved.

To be fair, Brown has actually shown solid takedown defense even if his offensive wrestling and defensive grappling have plenty of holes in them. He also has some offense off of his back. He just hasn’t shown the ability to get back to his feet. Montano has shown some wrestling ability, though his grappling skills are lacking. He is prone to not only giving up an advantageous position, but also giving up the sub. On the other hand, Montano has shown the ability to scramble and a knack for finding his opponent’s back, so he should have a decided advantage over the unrefined ground game of Brown.

What makes Brown such an intriguing prospect is his massive frame (6’3″) and reach (78″). He hasn’t been comfortable throwing his jab consistently, preferring to throw out teeps and leg kicks instead. He showed fast hands and good combinations on the regional scene that should make him a force to be reckoned with once he finds his comfort zone. Most of Brown’s UFC success has come in the clinch where he uses his size to leverage his knees into the body and hit the occasional trip to take the fight to the ground.

Montano usually does his best work in the clinch too, but has also been fighting opponents who are consistently smaller than him. That won’t be the case with Brown. Montano doesn’t have the same physical gifts as Brown to be as successful from a distance. What he does have is the confidence to sit in the pocket and trade without fear as he has proven very durable. His combinations are simple and he mixes in the occasional kick to all three levels, but he has also been prone to return fire.

Unlike most of the products off of TUF, Montano has been in the sport for a while and receiving sound training in the process. In other words, he doesn’t have the room to improve many of his cast mates have displayed. Brown on the other hand is miles away from where his physical tools could take him. I’d anticipate Brown learning from his loss and coming back looking better than ever against the durable Mexican. Brown via decision

Alejandro Perez (17-6) vs. Albert Morales (6-0), Bantamweight

Expect a high energy affair between these two youngsters as Perez welcomes the newcomer Morales on short notice.

It’s kind of hard not to feel at least a little bit bad for Perez. Winner of the bantamweight tournament on the same TUF Latin America season that Yair Rodriguez took home the featherweight tournament championship, Perez has had to watch Rodriguez headline an event while he opens up a card on Fight Pass. Admittedly, Perez doesn’t have the upside Rodriguez does as he’s already been in the sport for over a decade, but he has the talent to hang around for a while and become a mainstay.

Morales is the definition of a wild card. Replacing an injured Manny Gamburyan on about a month’s notice, Morales began his pro career at the beginning of 2015. Perhaps it wouldn’t be such a big deal if he had an extensive amateur career, but he started that less than a year before he turned professional. The general consensus is that he is jumping into the deep end of the pool too soon, but his natural talent may allow him to do so successfully.

It doesn’t take much film watching to conclude that Morales physical gifts are undeniable. Exceptionally explosive with fast hands, he keeps heavy pressure on the opposition waiting for the opportunity to pounce with a blitz of punches. Though he isn’t a powerhouse, he does have above average pop for a 135er and has been developing a jab. Morales doesn’t put together smooth combinations, swarming without much technique rather than picking spots.

While Perez hasn’t really wowed anyone with his standup skills, he does offer a deeper bag of tricks than what Morales provides. Leg kicks have been a major staple for Perez, throwing them as he circles looking for the right angle to throw his punching combinations. Despite winning his last two fights with TKO stoppages, his power is hardly overwhelming as he struggled to put away a Scott Jorgensen fighting on one leg.

Perez has avoided looking to take the fight to the ground in his UFC tenure, but a lot of that has to do with the matchups that he has had. While he is hardly a world class wrestler, he is capable of hitting a reactive takedown and shows good power on his ground punches. Morales has shown a lot of the same skills with a knack for passing guard quickly, but his contests have also come against much lesser competition. If anything, I’d give a slight edge to Perez thanks to his improved takedown defense and ability to get back to his feet.

If Morales comes out as aggressive as he has on the regional scene – and there has been no reason not to expect him to – this should be an awesome curtain jerker. At 25-years old, Morales has flashed serious potential and him pulling out an upset wouldn’t surprise me too much given Perez’s lack of upside. However, I think Morales lack of experience hurts him here with Perez’s proven gas tank proving to be the difference. Perez via decision