Preview: UFC Vegas 101 Prelims

Welterweights

Jacobe Smith (9-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Preston Parsons (11-5, 2-3 UFC)

ODDS: Smith (-355), Parsons (+280)

Smith has earned a lot of talk as a blue0chip prospect, and it’s easy to see why: The former collegiate wrestling standout has checked a lot of boxes thus far in his professional career. Some of Smith’s earlier fights saw him successfully implement his wrestling game for three rounds, and in recent bouts, he has swung back to become more of a first-round finisher as a striker, leading into a fairly complete performance to earn a contract on the Contender Series in October. Smith still has to answer some questions over the course of his UFC career, namely once he fights opponents who can provide both a bit of resistance and some dangerous finishing ability in return, and his Octagon debut comes a bit earlier than expected, as he steps in on about a week’s notice to take on Parsons. The 29-year-old Parsons is a solid first test for the UFC newcomer, as he checks a lot of boxes despite a lack of consistent success thus far. Parsons lives up to his “Pressure” nickname with a dogged approach centered around his wrestling and grappling, though while he looks like a solid athlete, he has gotten stalled out in some surprising spots against Trevin Giles and Oban Elliott. Parsons isn’t historically an easy out, but this also looks like a tough fight for the UFC veteran to win provided Smith is in his usual form. Given the short-notice nature of this fight, there’s some worry that Parsons might be able to survive and outlast Smith. However, Smith does appear to have Parsons generally outgunned. The pick is Smith via second-round stoppage.

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