Joey Villasenor (Pictures) is a Jackson’s Gaidojitsu practitioner who trains with Diego Sanchez (Pictures) and Keith Jardine (Pictures) among others at the talent-laden Albuquerque, New Mexico camp.

The group trains in aspects of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and wrestling under coach Greg Jackson. Villasenor carries a professional record of 22-4 in MMA, holding the KOTC middleweight for nearly three years.

He first appeared in PRIDE at Bushido 11, losing a decision to Ryo Chonan (Pictures) and was knocked out of the welterweight tournament. Villasenor beat John Cronk (Pictures) in a return to the KOTC and now prepares for PRIDE’s U.S. debut.

Lawler is a wrestler and boxer with an 11-4 record in MMA. He trains with Pat Miletich (Pictures) at the Miletich Fighting Systems camp in Bettendorf, Iowa, as well as boxer Teddy Mullen at Alley Cats Gym.

Lawler took the MMA world by storm, showing his awesome power with highlight-reel knockouts of Steve Berger (Pictures) and Tiki Ghosn (Pictures) but fell on hard times after three of his last four fights in the UFC.

Robbie re-emerged in 2005 under the Icon promotion in Hawaii and has KO’d UFC veteran Falaniko Vitale (Pictures) twice and submitted Jeremy Brown. He makes the move to PRIDE following a submission loss to Jason Miller.

This is one of those under card bouts that would be a headliner anywhere but PRIDE or the UFC. I think Villasenor has the edge. His fight game is more refined than Lawler’s. Robbie has shown some submission skills in the past but his game relies heavily on his strikes.

Villasenor can go anywhere, and though Lawler has faced the better-known competition, Joey has beaten all comers. The Chonan bout was Villasenor’s debut in PRIDE and it took place in Japan. This time he isn’t at home but he is back in familiar territory and he knows he can perform at this level.

Lawler has the potential to KO anyone, but he is still rough around the edges. Villasenor should be able to weather the early storm and control the pace for the win. Villasenor by decision.