UFC Fight Night ‘MacDonald vs. Saffiedine’ Preview

---

BANTAMWEIGHTS

Mitch Gagnon (11-2, 3-1 UFC) vs. Roman Salazar (9-2, 0-0 UFC)

THE MATCHUP: Salazar comes in on less than a week’s notice against Canadian submission specialist Gagnon, as he fills in for Rob Font, who himself took the fight on relatively late notice to replace injured uber-prospect Aljamain Sterling. Salazar will try to make a splash in a win-win debut, while Gagnon will look to notch his fourth straight victory in the UFC after taking his most recent win over Tim Gorman in April.

Frankly, we do not have much to go on in evaluating Salazar, as there is little video and what does exist is not from within the last year. The available film does suggest a fighter with some talent, though. Salazar employs a movement-based, in-and-out style on the feet that gives him interesting angles from which to land punching combinations and the occasional kick. He seems to be a reasonably competent wrestler and grappler, as well, with plus athleticism, good scrambling ability and a little bit of pop in his hands.

Gagnon has developed into a diverse fighter. Striking is now a strong suit for the Canadian, as he melds together punches and kicks in fluid combinations and has shown a particular affinity for a vicious left hook to the body. The counters fly early and often when his opponent ducks into the short, squat Gagnon’s range, and although he is not a prototypical power puncher, there is some pop in his punches. He is a good wrestler, with an explosive shot and outstanding takedown defense, though he does not look for the takedown as often as one might expect given his submission prowess. On the mat, Gagnon is less a pure grappler than one who thrives in transitions. He has an outstanding guillotine, advances position in scrambles more often than in straight guard-passing situations and has a knack for finding opportunistic submissions.

BETTING ODDS: N/A

THE PICK: Although Salazar has skills, Gagnon is a rough matchup for anybody in the division, much less a guy making his UFC debut on four days’ notice. I think Gagnon times his movement with punching combinations at range, takes him down and eventually grabs one of his signature chokes in the second round.

Next Fight » Patrick Holohan vs. Chris Kelades