Tomorrow night on the main card of UFC Vegas 31, we will see a fun matchup in the lightweight division. Former top featherweight contender Jeremy Stephens (28-18, 1 NC) is moving back up to 155 pounds to take on Mateusz Gamrot (18-1,1 NC).
UFC Vegas 31 is a massive fight for Jeremy Stephens. This is his first fight in over a year and he’s gone 0-4, 1 NC in his last five fights. It’s been a brutal stretch for Stephens, but it is worth noting his competition level.
If you look at Stephens record over the past few years, it’s not impressive. Stephens has gone 5-9, 1 NC in his last fifteen fights. That said, he’s been facing top tier talent along the way and has never really lost to bad competition.
His last nine UFC losses have come against: Calvin Kattar, Yair Rodriguez, Zabit Magomedsharipov, Jose Aldo, Renato Carneiro, Frankie Edgar, Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira, and Cub Swanson. That is quite the elite list of guys so even though he has nine UFC losses in his last fifteen fights, it’s not insanely alarming.
That said, he needs a win big time tomorrow night. It’s not going to be easy as he takes on Poland’s Mateusz Gamrot. Gamrot dropped his UFC debut by split decision last year but bounced back quickly with a knockout win over Scott Holtzman. The ATT fighter is looking to make a big statement tomorrow night.
UFC Vegas 31 Prediction
Heading into UFC Vegas 31, I really have no doubts in who I think has the better skillset. To me, there’s no doubting the fact that Mateusz Gamrot has the better skills. Gamrot has good grappling and he’s slick on the feet.
He looks like he can become a real contender at 155 pounds. That said, Jeremy Stephens is the one in this fight that possesses the nuclear option. With Jeremy Stephens, he’s always just one punch away from capturing another UFC knockout.
Despite that, I’m going with Gamrot tomorrow night. I just believe that the overall skills will really play here. Expect Gamrot to mix things up to keep Stephens off-balance all night. I don’t think you’ll see a finish, but I also don’t think there will be controversy here.
Prediction: Mateusz Gamrot by Unanimous Decision
The post UFC Vegas 31 Preview: Jeremy Stephens – Mateusz Gamrot appeared first on Empire Sports Media.
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