FICKETT: 5’ 8”, 170 pounds, 26, Tucson, Arizona, known as “The Master”

BACKGROUND: Fickett, a student of Pankration, Muay Thai and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, trains at Arizona Combat Sports. He started martial arts when he was 10 and studied Kajukenbo. He took up karate with Veon McCarrol and moved on to wrestling and judo with Steve Owens in high school in 1994. He wrestled throughout high school and college but was involved in a motorcycle accident that sidelined him until he moved to Phoenix and began training at ACS. He is a two-time Rage in the Cage welterweight champion and XFC champion as well as a Rage on the River Champion, WFF champion Combat Zone and a USKBA national and world champion. Drew brings a professional MMA record of 26-4.

MMA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Beat Bill Cameron and Cedric Marks (Pictures) by decision. Lost on points to Edwin Dewees (Pictures) at Rage in the Cage 34. He came back to beat Dewees by decision in a rematch at RITC 36. Beat Dennis Hallman (Pictures) by decision at KOTC 28. Submitted Carlo Prater (Pictures) via guillotine choke at Rage on the River. Stopped Kyle Brees (Pictures) with strikes at XCF 5. Beat Kenny Florian (Pictures) by decision at Combat Zone 7. Submitted Nuri Shakir (Pictures) at Combat Zone 8.

UFC EXPERIENCE: 2-2. Was stopped with strikes by Nick Diaz (Pictures) at UFC 51. Submitted Josh Neer (Pictures) via rear choke at Ultimate Fight Night 1. Submitted Josh Koscheck (Pictures) via rear choke at Ultimate Fight Night 2. Was submitted by Josh Burkman (Pictures) via guillotine choke at Ultimate Fight Night 3.

WHAT HE BRINGS TO THE BOUT: He has quality submission skills but can fight standing or on the mat. He fights bell-to-bell looking for that opportunity to pull out the victory and never gives up (see the Koscheck fight). Before the Burkman bout Fickett had not lost a fight since his UFC his debut. It will be telling to see how he recovers from this one.

PELLEGRINO: 5’ 6”, 170 pounds, 27, Point Pleasant, New Jersey, known as “Batman”

BACKGROUND: Pellegrino is a wrestler with 20 years experience on the mat and a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Hermes Franca (Pictures). He has been the Ring of Combat Champion (165 pounds), Reality Fighting Champion (155 pounds) and WEC North American Champion. He won the Gold Medal at the Pan Ams as a blue belt and won the Absolute Division at Grapplers Quest as a brown belt. Kurt is also a five-time Grapplers Quest superfight champion, a Gracie Arnold Classic Pro division champion in the 195-165 pound weight class and qualified for the Abu Dhabi Submission Fighting Championships for 2007. He has a professional record of 6-1 but has seven additional wins as an amateur.

MMA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Beat Mac Danzig (Pictures) by decision at WEC 4. Was submitted via guillotine choke by Satoru Kitaoka (Pictures) at the Pancrase 2004 Neo Blood Tournament. Submitted Jay R. Palmer at Ring of Combat 7. Submitted Sergey Golyaev (Pictures) at Euphoria USA vs. Russia. Submitted Steve Kinnison at FCC 20. Stopped Kazuki Okubo (Pictures) via doctor’s stoppage at Euphoria USA vs. Japan.

UFC EXPERIENCE: Debut.

WHAT HE BRINGS TO THE BOUT: He has serious grappling ability and can slam opponents with authority. At just 5’ 6” he may have trouble standing with some of the fighters in the welterweight division.

OVERALL OPINION OF MATCH: Interesting match. Pellegrino looks to be a ball of fire on the mat and he’ll need to keep it there with the more experienced Fickett. I’m sure Drew is a relieved to be fighting an opponent in the UFC not named Josh. Fickett has a slight edge in height and a big edge in pro experience but Pellegrino has been on a role.