Stout vs. Stephens
One of the featured bouts of UFC 113:
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Stout is a slight favorite heading into this contest according to online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com as he has a money line of -190 while Stephens has a line of +150. Here is a closer look at both fighters heading into this bout, which will take place from the Bell Centre in
Sam Stout (15-5-1):
Strengths: Stout is a well versed striker as he utilizes kicks, elbows, knees, and punches among the best in the lightweight division. Stout is very strategic with his strikes and he also can take a punch, as he never has been knocked out in his professional career. Stout is always game for a fight and in this contest, his opponent is going to look to bring the fight right to him.
Weaknesses: Stout is still working toward finding that marquee win in his career. After losing three out of five fights, Stout has bounced back by defeating Matt Wiman and Joe Lauzon, who are both tough, but not at the elite level. Stout needs to play this fight smart and use his all-around skills against a fighter that is not as talented as him, but could easily knock him out.
Last Five Fights:
Unanimous decision win over Joe Lauzon at UFC 108 on Jan. 2, 2010
Unanimous decision win over Matt Wiman at UFC 97 on April 18, 2009
Unanimous decision loss to Terry Etim at UFC 89 on Oct. 18, 2008
Split decision loss to Rich Clementi at UFC 83 on April 19, 2008
Unanimous decision win over Per Eklund at UFC 80 on Jan. 19, 2008
Jeremy Stephens (16-5):
Strengths: Stephens is an explosive striker that is similar to Robbie Lawler in that he likes to put everything into his punches. Stephens is an intense guy and he would love to keep every fight he has on the feet, as 12 of his 16 wins have come by knockout. Like Stout, Stephens has never been knocked out in a fight, but has been submitted twice in his career.
Weaknesses: Stephens is pretty much all about the feet despite training with jiu-jitsu expert, Hermes Franca. In his recent losses, he has been controlled on the ground or submitted. If Stephens can’t win the fight with strikes, he isn’t going to win on the ground.
Last Five Fights:
First round TKO win over Justin Buchholz at UFC Fight Night 19 on Sept. 16, 2009
Unanimous decision loss to Gleison Tibau at UFC Fight Night 18 on April 1, 2009
Second round submission loss to Joe Lauzon at UFC Fight Night 17 on Feb. 7, 2009
Third round KO win over Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 91 on Nov. 15, 2008
Unanimous decision loss to Spencer Fisher at Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale on June 21, 2008
Who will win: The only way Stout can lose this fight is if he is caught with a big punch. With that said, Stout hasn’t been finishing opponents lately, so Stephens will have his chances to end the contest, but ultimately, Stout should be able to use better technique on his feet while mixing in takedowns to earn a decision win.
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Posted: 5/8/10 4:00PM ET