The UFC on FX 3 event will feature a bantamweight bout between former WEC champion Eddie Wineland and former number one contender Scott Jorgensen that’s set for Friday night in Sunrise, Florida. Both fighters are fairly entertaining fighters in that they fight at a fast pace wherever the fight goes, but both of these guys need a win to get their careers going in the right direction. Let’s see how this one breaks down.
Eddie Wineland (18-8-1) is coming off consecutive losses to Team Alpha Male fighters Urijah Faber and Joseph Benavidez. Wineland is winless in the UFC, but losing two those two fighters is nothing to sneeze at considering they didn’t come close to finishing him. Wineland is a tough guy that’s been around seemingly forever, but is only 27 years old. He perfers to stand and strike with his opponents while exhibiting solid takedown defense. He has ended nine of his fights via TKO/KO and has won four fights via submission. It should be noted that half of his losses have come via submission. It will have been almost ten months since Wineland last stepped inside the cage when he takes on Jorgensen on Friday night.
Scott Jorgensen (13-5) is coming off a unanimous decision loss to highly touted Renan Barao at UFC 143 in February. Jorgensen had won two straight fight prior to the loss. Jorgensen has a wrestling background but is versed in all aspects of MMA. He has won four fights via submission and two fights via TKO/KO. He has a killer guillotine choke and is (2-1) since coming to the UFC in the UFC/WEC merger.
This will be a tough fight to call, but Wineland is the larger guy that will have a three inch reach advantage and a three inch heigh advantage. Wineland will look to keep the fight on the feet and try to pick Jorgensen apart while defending any and all takedown attempts. Jorgensen has quickness, but his quickness is not on the same level as the aforementioned Faber and Benavidez so he may find some success on the feet. The big thing for Wineland will be finding his range and timing due to the fact of him being away from the cage for so long. Ultimately, it could be the reason why he loses this fight if he can’t pull the trigger.
Jorgensen simply needs to mix it up between his striking and his takedowns. He should just use his striking to set up his takedowns and then work from there. He has good ground and pound while Wineland isn’t much of a threat at all to submit anyone off his back. Jorgensen could possibly stop Wineland on the ground or grind out a decision. I’m go with the latter happening since Wineland is pretty difficult to finish with strikes.