The headlining preliminary card fight features the featherweights, as TUF: Brazil champion Rony Jason (11-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) takes on TUF: Live competitor Sam Sicilia (11-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC). Jason has as a huge following thanks to the incredibly high ratings for TUF: Brazil and he’s won his last 6 fights. Sicilia has won his last 7 so someone’s hot streak will come to an end. Neither man is ranked in the SB Nation MMA Consensus Rankings.
It’s an interesting clash of styles as Jason prefers submissions while Sicilia has knockout power. Jason is the significant favorite in this one and you can watch this plus three other fights on FX at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT before the PPV at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT.
How do these two stack up?
Jason: 28 years old | 5’7″ | 73″ reach
Sicilia: 26 years old | 5’8″ | 67″ reach
What have these two done recently?
Jason: W – Godofredo Pepey (UD) | W – Reginaldo Vieira (SUB) | W – Anderson de Deus (SUB)
Sicilia: W – Cristiano Marcello (KO) | W – Arley George (KO) | W – Jared Haller (KO)
How did these two get here?
Jason has fought exclusively in Brazil, including early fights with the likes of Renan Barao and Felipe Arantes (losing to Barao and beating Arantes). He stopped his first two opponents on TUF: Brazil before earning a decision win against Hugo Viana in the semifinals. His fight with Godofredo Pepey wasn’t pretty and was made more frustrating by Pepey’s repeated attempts at pulling guard. Jason won by decision to extend his winning streak to 6, but snapping his finishing streak (not counting TUF) at 5.
Sicilia previously spent his time at lightweight, including on season 15 of The Ultimate Fighter, where he put Erin Beach to sleep in 8 seconds to get into the TUF house. A contested split decision loss to Chris Saunders saw him eliminated in the quarterfinals. Sicilia was given a spot on the finale against Cristiano Marcello, where he knocked him out with a series of knees and punches in the 2nd round. The Washingtonian hasn’t gone the distance in pro MMA since his first career fight, finishing his next 10 wins while losing his sole pro bout by submission.
Why should you care?
It’s certainly of intrigue to see how a TUF: Brazil winner can do against a US-based TUFer, and this probably won’t go the distance given the finishing records of both men. You should certainly check this one out.
More Bloody Elbow coverage of UFC 153:
UFC 153: Silva vs. Bonnar fight card – Mookie Alexander
UFC 153 betting lines – Tim Burke
UFC 153 Bloody Elbow staff picks and predictions – Tim Burke
Minotauro Nogueira vs. Dave Herman Dissection – Dallas Winston
Glover Teixeira vs. Fabio Maldonado Dissection – Dallas Winston
Jon Fitch vs. Erick Silva Dissection – Dallas Winston
Phil Davis vs. Wagner Prado Dissection – Dallas Winston
Demian Maia vs. Rick Story Dissection – Dallas Winston
FX prelim card previews – Fraser Coffeen
Video: UFC 153 weigh-in results
Silva vs. Bonnar through the Cobb vs. Holmes lens – Brent Brookhouse
Can Bonnar make his name against Silva? – Fraser Coffeen
Erick Silva discusses Jon Fitch – Tim Burke
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