UFC 149: July 21, 2012 Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada UFC Light Heavyweight Contender Ryan Jimmo (-170) Profile: Owner of a 16-fight winning streak, Ryan Jimmo (16-1) makes his way from the Canadian Maximum Fighting Championship ranks as the MFC light heavyweight champion and finally makes his UFC debut after an unsuccessful stint on The Ultimate Fighter 8. With a smothering physical style, Jimmo has frustrated his opponents over nearly his entires five-year MMA career. Aside from his lone loss to former CFL player Adam Braidwood, the 30-year-old Jimmo has ramped up his training and smothered his opponents to the tune of six knockouts, two submissions and eight decisions. He is coming off a controversial unanimous decision victory against Sokoudjou, which marked his second title defense. UFC Light Heavyweight Contender Anthony Perosh (+140) Profile: At 40 years old, Anthony Perosh (13-6) has seen it all. Earlier in his career, he fought at UFC 66, losing to Jeff Monson and later Christian Wellisch via a controversial unanimous decision. Following those losses, he was cut from the promotion, forcing him to linger in the Australian independent scene until the UFC came back to the land down under. Perosh was tapped to fight Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 110 in Sydney, Australia, and he lost yet again in the UFC Octagon. However, after that heavyweight fight, he moved down to light heavyweight and has since strung together three wins in a row. Perosh is a third-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with heavy hands and multiple BJJ championships to his name, and he will always try to use his physically overwhelming style to his advantage. Opening UFC 149 Odds Analysis: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas made Jimmo a small -170 favorite (bet $170 to win $100) while Perosh opened as a +140 underdog (bet $100 to win $140) according to the MMA odds. This is a tough fight to call considering both are MMA journeymen who have yet to register a convincing win against a viable opponent. Jimmo’s only comparable UFC experience came when he was on TUF 8, but he was eliminated in the entry round and has spent his entire pro MMA career in his native Canada. Perosh has fought better competition and is riding a three-fight winning streak for the third time in his career though he has never won four in a row. Jimmo has gone a full three rounds or longer in six of his last seven bouts, including two five-rounders, so his stamina should not be an issue. Meanwhile, Perosh has gone the distance just twice in 19 fights.
