Kurt Holobaugh (17-4-0) vs. Matt “The Mangler” Bessette (22-7-0)
Bessette has fought several times under the bright lights. Specifically, he competed nine times in Bellator only losing twice. The competition was mostly mediocre however as he faced middling competition including Saul Almeida, Paul Barrow, and Nick Piedmont defeating the former two via UD and the latter via KO. He then got the stuff up in competition with the defeated Nova Uniao product and UFC veteran Diego Nunes before subsequent losses against the underrated dropped decisions to Scott Cleve and very talented Daniel Weichel. He will go on to win a couple more flights and Bella to be for capturing the CES MMA featherweight title. He's won 7 and nine of 10 fights that's the 32-year-old is in the best for all of his career.
Matthew is extremely versatile as demonstrated by his impressive 22-7 record where he has racked up an amalgamation of victories by various forms including 7 knockouts, 8 submissions and 7 decisions.
Since exiting the UFC, KurtHolobaugh has ripped through most of his competition. What's more, he's not fighting butchers, bakers and candlestick maker's book for Roche us killers. The best the regional circuit has to offer including Desmond Green, Gesias Cavalcante, and Yosdenis Cedeno, whom he defeated. The only two losses since fighting outside the Octagon were to WSOF Featherweight Champion Andre Harrison and former BELLATOR standout Frodo Khasbulaev.
Holobaugh has been victorious in 8 of 10 fights with 3 in a row heading into tonight's matchup. Holobaugh has previously competed in the UFC losing a UD to Steven Siler four years ago. Since then Holobaugh has matured exponentially and developed into a terrific fighter. and is the former Titan FC featherweight champion.
Holobaugh is a Gracie Barra Louisiana representative with a legal a BJJ brown belt. This is buttressed by a well rounded wrestling skill-set and excellent takedowns abilities. Holobaugh isn't super athletic but is fundamentally sound in all facets of the game. He employs a competent, tight and crisp boxing attack to set up his takedowns. While proficient in the striking department, Holobaugh does not possess multiple power making it's hard for him to get the respect of his opponents.
Kurt has demonstrated serious progression in is striking skills over the last two years. Specifically, the 30 year old stood out vertically when he out struck American Top Team product and Muay Thai stylist Luciano dos Santos prior to polishing him off with strikes standing in round two of their exciting tilt. This progression will in turn open up the takedowns.
In his penultimate outing Holobaugh had smashed a much larger individual in former UFC veteran striker Yosdenis Cedeno. He followed that up with a 155 lb. title winning 4th round stoppage against "JZ" Cavalcante in May.
After tangling with larger man who will be very happy tangling with a fighter like Bessette whose his own size.
The veteran Bessette has the capacity to finish fights from any position but he's simply out gunned everywhere. He's known for excellent conditioning and non-stop aggression. To give himself a chance to be Kurt he'll need both assets. However last curve slopes little banana pill he's probably going to take Matthew down and find a submission.
I like Holobaugh as parlay fodder. A first leg to a two-team parlay.
Manny Vazquez (11-2) vs. Joby Sanchez (9-2) Flyweight
Sanchez enters the fight riding a two fight winning streak, having defeated the duo of Martin Sandoval and Jesus Urbina. Vazquez is also entering the fight on the strength of a two fight winning streak, which includes a win over Nate Williams at Bellator 175. Sanchez did win just one of three fights under the UFC banner, with that lone win coming over Tateki Matsuda at UFC Fight Night 59. Vazquez has previously challenged for the Legacy FC Flyweight Title, losing to Steven Peterson at Legacy FC 56.
Prediction: These are two fighters who have great ground games, but Sanchez has the edge in the striking and that carries him to a decision win.
MANNY VAZQUEZ (11-2-0) VS. JOBY SANCHEZ (9-2-0)
However his opponent tonight is not a pushover either. Vazquez is a decent wrestler with an excellent submission game. A purple belt in BJJ he trains at 10th planet jujitsu and has great flexibility with a quick back take. The problem is that he is almost exclusively a one dimensional fighter, with grappling being his only tool in the shed. His striking is extremely rudimentary and needs a lot of work. Worst still, because his striking is so rote, he has trouble getting inside to hit takedowns, and his wrestling is not at a high enough level to just force his man to the floor. This often leaves him out on an island where his opponent can snipe at him. Fortunately for Vasquez he has faced lower level competition that has been able to overwhelm them. Perhaps it is best opponent came against Steven Peterson at Legacy FC 56 where he fought and lost for the organizations Flyweight title.
Sanchez was thought to be a pretty decent prospect when he first signed with the UFC, though it didn't pan out. He was considered to be a potential fighter to keep your eye on one because he has a well-rounded skill set and comes from an excellent camp been Jackson-Wink MMA. Sanchez has a boxing background and was the New Mexico high school state runner-up in wrestling his senior year. He has all of the tools to be a good fighter. His stand up is solid, he possesses decent power, he has a wiry 5'6" 135 pound frame and his submission grappling is pretty damn good. He is decently athletic and still young enough to make a mark only game in MMA as he is just 26 years old.
When Sanchez first came to the UFC he was just 23 years old, and thrown directly to the wolves as Wilson Reis — a 30-fight veteran at the time — was his opponent. Obviously this wasn't going to go well. However Joby bounced back winning his next fight against a solid Tateki_Matsuda before being dismissed from the promotion after Geane Herrera caught him with a left hook and knocked him out flat.
Basically this is Sanchez fight to lose. He has four more diversity in his game and has faced much stiffer competition. What's more, he is a competent grappler himself and his wrestling settle well I am to keep it up Friday. As long as it stays standing Sanchez should be able to box Vasquez up. Potentially even getting a knockout. Sanchez should be able to mix and his striking and wrestling at the end of rounds to seal that particular frame.
At almost even odds here I like Sanchez via unanimous decision.
I'll be playing Sanchez straight 2.00 units ($400) at -125 and a small Sanchez + Holobaugh parlay at +120 for at +120 for 3.00 units ($600) 3.00 units