UFC 137 preview: Jeff Curran returns to the big stage against Scott Jorgensen

The UFC 137 event will feature a bantamweight matchup between longtime MMA veteran Jeff Curran as he returns to the big stage to face former title challenger Scott Jorgensen. Jorgensen is thought to be a top 5 bantamweight so this will be a stern test in Curran’s octagon return. Let’s see how this one shakes out.

Jeff Curran comes into this fight with a career record of (33-13-1) with 19 wins via submission and 1 win via TKO/KO. Curran was last seen in action back in May of this year defeating Billy Vaughn via unanimous decision. Curran is a savvy veteran who has only been stopped 5 times in near 50 career fights. Curran has solid striking skills but biggest strength is his ground game as evident by his 19 submission wins.

Scott Jorgensen comes into this fight with a career record of (12-4) with 4 wins via submission and 2 wins via TKO/KO. Jorgensen was last seen in action back in June as he obliterated Ken Stone and knocked him out in the first round. Jorgensen was a standout wrestler at Boise State University who fights at a very high pace and isn’t afraid to let his hands go while striking.

This will be an interesting fight in that Jorgensen is the better wrestler, but Curran is more decorated on the ground in regards to jiu-jitsu. I think the main difference in this fight will be the speed and pace at which Jorgensen fights at as he is absolutely relentless at times with his wrestling being the ‘ace in the hole’ so to speak. Jorgensen should emplore a mixture of strikes to set up his takedowns to make use of the advantages he has in this fight. While Curran is the better grappler, Jorgensen has only been submitted once in his MMA career and that was early on. I expect Jorgensen to be ‘ok’ if he takes Curran down, but it should be noted that Curran has pulled off several triangle choke submission wins off his back. It seems as though Curran prefers chokes so Jorgensen will have to be aware of the guillotine as he shoots in for takedowns as well.

I think Jorgensen takes this fight as he simply has more weapons. If Curran starts winning on the feet he can always use his wrestling to close the distance and take Curran down. Curran is extremely difficult to finish as his guard is really active on the ground and he’s only been stopped via strikes twice.

Jorgensen via decision.