Preview: UFC on ESPN 55 ‘Nicolau vs. Perez’

Heavyweights

Jhonata Diniz (6-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Austen Lane (12-4, 0-1 UFC)

ODDS: Diniz (-238), Lane (+195)

This heavyweight bout should at least provide some action. A multi-year NFL veteran, Lane clearly has the athleticism to succeed in mixed martial arts, even if his approach leaves a bit to be desired. Seven years into his second sport, Lane still tends to throw out a lot of ideas and let the rest sort itself out. His combination of size and speed—along with some solid wrestling and grappling, per heavyweight standards—is enough to overwhelm most regional competition, but there is enough evidence to suggest that he will mostly just run himself into danger at the UFC level. That was the case against Australian Justin Tafa in Lane’s last fight. After Lane’s UFC debut against Tafa ended quickly in a no contest, the UFC ran the fight back, with the rematch ending in an 82-second knockout for the Aussie.

Diniz, a UFC newcomer, presents a similar challenge. A kickboxing convert less than two years removed from his mixed martial arts debut, the Brazilian is a bit of a plodder who has not faced the best level of competition, but he hits extremely hard when given the chance. Tafa has honed his counterpunching enough that Diniz might not be able to repeat the same trick, but the outline of the fight does generally appear to be the same. Lane’s speed and reach could cause some issues, as could his wrestling, but he will probably engage Diniz on his terms at some point and quickly suffer for it. The pick is Diniz via first-round knockout.

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Nicolau vs. Perez
Spann vs. Guskov
Silva vs. Lipski
Diniz vs. Lane
Pearce vs. Onama
Medic vs. Means
The Prelims