UFC on FUEL TV 4: Wednesday, July 11, 2012 HP Pavilion in San Jose, California UFC Light Heavyweight Contender James Te Huna (-305) Profile: James Te Huna (16-5) has won two straight fights at light heavyweight in the UFC and eight of nine overall, with his only loss during that stretch coming against rising star Alexander Gustafsson. He is 3-1 in the UFC, and his last two opponents have been knockout victims (Ricardo Romero and Aaron Rosa). The 30-year-old New Zealander won the Cage Fighting Championship Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Finals in 2009 before signing a contract with the UFC in 2010. He won his UFC debut against Igor Pokrajac via TKO before falling to Gustafsson by rear-naked choke submission at UFC 127, his first setback since losing to Hector Lombard in 2007. UFC Light Heavyweight Contender Joey Beltran (+235) Profile: Joey Beltran (14-7) is back in the UFC at light heavyweight after previously fighting there at heavyweight. The 30-year-old went 1-4 in his last five UFC fights following a 2-0 start in the organization, getting released following a first-round knockout loss to Lavar Johnson at UFC on FOX 2. “The Mexicutioner” made his debut at light heavyweight in the C3 Fights on April 28 and earned a unanimous decision victory against Anton Talamante. To be fair to Beltran, three of his past four losses in the UFC came via unanimous decision, and five of his seven career losses have also ended that way. He has only been finished twice in his MMA career and will need to continue to work on his endurance and use it to his advantage against what should be more athletic fighters the UFC’s light heavyweight division. Opening UFC on FUEL TV Odds Analysis: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas made Te Huna a big -305 favorite (bet $305 to win $100) while Beltran opened as a +235 underdog (bet $100 to win $235) according to the MMA odds. Beltran has a bit more experience in the UFC, but he struggled mightily in his last few fights at heavyweight and may have a difficult time making the transition to light heavyweight. Te Huna, on the other hand, has performed well over a longer stretch outside of his submission loss to Gustafsson. While most of Te Huna’s wins have come via knockout, Beltran has been tough to stop over his career, so this one could go the distance.
