Preview: UFC Fight Night ‘Henderson vs. Masvidal’

Welterweights

Dong Hyun Kim (20-3-1) vs Dominic Waters (9-3)

THE MATCHUP: For a while, Kim seemed determined to make the transformation from consistent grappler to wild brawler, ostensibly in an effort to get the fans on his side and gain some leverage for a move up the ladder. Of course, it takes a very special brawler to succeed at the elite level, a lesson Kim learned the hard way when Tyron Woodley blasted holes in his nonexistent defense and left him unconscious on the canvas. Fortunately, Kim seemed to take the loss to heart and came into his last fight with Josh Burkman refocused on the suffocating grappling that has always been his strongest skill.

Since Kim’s original opponent, Jorge Masvidal, was repackaged for the main event, the UFC is apparently interested in getting the South Korean judoka an impressive win in his home country, because Dominic Waters remains utterly unproven against elite competition, having soundly lost his Octagon debut to George Sullivan, no top contender himself. Kim has a full five years of experience on Waters and more than enough grappling skill to keep from being neutralized as Sullivan was in the third round. Waters is slow of foot and quite stiff on the feet, though his frame and wrestling background normally give him some opportunities to work on the ground.

THE ODDS: Kim (-550), Waters (+420)

THE PICK: Waters has a solid five years of professional competition under his belt, but at just 26 years old, he still has room to improve. Unfortunately, potential will not be enough for him to get past the toughest and most experienced opponent of his career. Kim represents a massive step up in competition, and Waters simply is not ready yet. Kim wins by third-round TKO.

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