UFC Fight Night 27 Preview

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Welterweights

Robert Whittaker (11-2, 2-0 UFC) vs. Court McGee (15-3, 4-2 UFC)

The Matchup: After posting a 3-2 mark in the Octagon at 185 pounds, McGee made his first welterweight appearance a successful one by outpointing Josh Neer at UFC 157. While “The Ultimate Fighter 11” winner is rightfully known as a grinder, he continued to establish himself as a high-volume striker against Neer, landing a total of 166 significant strikes in the bout, according to FightMetric.com. In his last fight at middleweight, McGee was similarly active, landing 108 significant strikes in a controversial loss to Nick Ring at UFC 149. Overall, McGee’s 5.95 significant strikes landed per minute ranks third among all fighters with at least five bouts in the promotion.

A seemingly bottomless gas tank aids McGee in outpacing the majority of his foes, while a stout chin -- he has yet to be finished in 18 pro fights -- allows him to move forward at all costs. McGee’s right hand is his most reliable weapon, and he uses it consistently to move into tie-up and takedown range, where he can wear down his opponents. However, he is also capable of landing kicks to the legs and body, as well as flashier, spinning strikes when the need arises.

Whittaker, meanwhile, used an unorthodox stance in his third-round stoppage of Colton Smith at UFC 160, holding his left hand extremely low while keeping his right hand by his chin. That stance, perhaps utilized out of disregard for Smith’s standup, allowed Whittaker to land jabs and hooks from unusual angles, but it also left him vulnerable to right hands from his opponent. However, the 22-year-old Aussie does not always employ that stance -- see his UFC debut against Brad Scott -- so it is entirely possible he adopts a more traditional approach versus McGee, who is far more seasoned than Smith.

While Whittaker was able to land crisp punches in combination consistently against “The Ultimate Fighter 16” winner, most significant was his ability to defend the takedown -- Smith failed on all six attempts -- against a foe that had previously relied almost solely on a withering pressure and control. That does not mean he can expect to duplicate such success against McGee, a bigger opponent with a five-inch reach advantage and a more versatile striking arsenal. Smart movement, using angles and keeping his back away from the cage will help Whittaker in preventing McGee from controlling the tempo of the bout.

The Pick: While Whittaker’s ability to land in combination is encouraging, McGee is a decent step up from his previous opposition. “The Crusher” wears down his man and wins via decision or TKO.

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