UFC on FOX 9 Date: December 14, 2013 Arena: Sleep Train Arena City: Sacramento, C.A. Flyweight bout: Zach “Fun Size” Makovsky (+230) vs Scott “Young Guns” Jorgensen (-250) Fight Breakdown: The UFC on FOX 9 preliminary card on FOX Sports 1 will feature a contest between a pair of flyweight grapplers in the form of Zach Makovsky and Scott Jorgensen. Makovsky is the underdog in this match-up at +230 ($100 to win $230), with Jorgensen being the favorite at -250 ($250 to win $100) at Several Bookmakerss. ZACH “FUN SIZE” MAKOVSKY (16-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is making is UFC debut on short notice, as he steps in to replace an injured John Dodson. He started off 6-0 under the Bellator banner as a bantamweight, becoming the promotion’s 135 pound champion. After two wins in non-title fights, he was submitted by current champ Eduardo Dantas. He followed that with another loss, a split decision to Anthony Leone, before deciding to make the move to 125 pounds. He believes it was the right move to make, as he was outsized in the bantamweight division and the move has proven to be wise thus far, as he is currently 2-0 as a 125er, recently becoming the RFA flyweight champion. “Fun Size” is a talented wrestler who works solid takedowns. He prefers the single leg, which is his go-to, and he often likes to shoot for them from the outside. He works well with trip takedowns too, and is a great scrambler. Makovsky is an excellent grappler and his submission game is also very good, as he spends time training with the legendary Marcelo Garcia, one of the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts on the planet. His defensive grappling is solid as well. He has good takedown defense, and if taken down, he is very active off of his back, threatening with submissions. Makovsky shows improvement in his striking from fight to fight. He has a good chin, and works a decent jab. He throws decent kicks too, and he likes to go high with them. Even considering that he took this fight on short notice, and after being in a five round title fight three weeks ago, I think his conditioning will be good enough to last him for all 15 minutes of action, should the fight go the distance. SCOTT “YOUNG GUNS” JORGENSEN (14-7 MMA, 3-3 UFC) was looking to make the drop from the bantamweight division down to flyweight after he defeated John Albert at UFC on FOX 5 one year ago. Jorgensen survived an early onslaught and triangle choke to come back and submit Albert by rear naked choke at 4:59 of the very first round. His plans to move down to 125 were put on hold when Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson got injured, resulting in his title fight against John Moraga at The Ultimate Fighter 17 finale to be scrapped. To save the show, Jorgensen and pal Urijah Faber stepped up on short notice to compete against each other in a five round main event. Much like when they train together, Faber got the better of Jorgensen in every way. He big-brothered him until the fourth round, where he secured a rear naked choke, and got the tap. Now with eight months away from action, Jorgensen has used a proper diet to slim down, and is ready for his debut at 125 pounds. He is an excellent wrestler who won three Pac-10 titles for Boise State University. He works pretty good takedowns, largely due to his power. “Young Guns” possesses incredible power in his hands, as was evident with his brutal knockout of Ken Stone. He is a flyweight that is capable of finishing fights. He is not necessarily a finisher, however. I would say he is more of a grinder who is likely to beat opponents up en route to decisions, but his professional mixed martial arts career resume says it’s 50/50, as he owns seven victories by decision, and seven by finish. Jorgensen works a good ground and pound attack, as he likes to rain down heavy punches and elbows. When he’s not doing that, he is constantly peppering away with shots to the head and body. He’s wise to the fact that if he is unable to finish at the moment, it would be in his best interest to be scoring as many points as possible. Although he works a decent jab and leg kicks, his general striking game, while improving, is still elementary and needs a lot of work. Jorgensen has always had great conditioning, and I don’t think it will be any different at flyweight, as I think it is the weight class he belongs in. Fight Prediction: Both of these former bantamweights want to make a statement with this fight, and send a message to the rest of the flyweight division. I think this will be a close fight, but Jorgensen will be able to do enough to take rounds on the judges’ scorecards. I feel his takedowns and solid submission defense will be the difference in this one. Gabe’s Pick: Scott Jorgensen by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Scott Jorgensen (-250) 2.5u to win 1u
