UFC on FUEL TV 9: April 6, 2013 Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden UFC Lightweight Contender Ross Pearson (-290) Profile: Ross Pearson (14-6) saw a fast start to his UFC career by winning The Ultimate Fighter 9 lightweight tournament and following it up with a 3-2 lightweight record. After weighing his options, the 28-year-old Brit decided to make the cut to featherweight at UFC 141 against Junior Assuncao and did so successfully with a decision win. With less of a size disadvantage against his opponents, he focused on what he does best, which is putting on entertaining fights. However, he suffered a second-round knockout loss against Cub Swanson last June and returned to lightweight after coaching the British team on The Ultimate Fighter: Australia vs. Britain. The always-exciting Pearson knocked out George Sotiropolous in his first fight back at lightweight at UFC on FX 6 and has won two Fight of the Night awards, utilizing a varied offense of boxing mixed with judo against his opponents. UFC Lightweight Contender Ryan Couture (+210) Profile: The son of MMA legend Randy Couture, some would think Ryan Couture (6-1) would be favored in some way, but that could not be further from the truth. Debuting as a pro in Strikeforce on August 13, 2010, Couture has amassed an impressive record against fairly stiff competition, defeating Conor Heun, Joe Duarte and former Elite XC lightweight champion KJ Noons in his last three fights. The last two bouts against Duarte and Noons resulted in somewhat controversial split decisions, making some skeptics wonder just how good he really is heading into his UFC debut. Make no mistake about it, Couture is a grinder, who at first glance has an underwhelming and plodding stand-up and ground game. But his conditioning is outstanding, as he works to slowly wear out his opponents until they’re gasping for breath Opening UFC on FUEL TV 9 Odds Analysis: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas made Pearson a big -290 favorite (bet $290 to win $100) while Couture opened as a +210 underdog (bet $100 to win $210) at Several Bookmakers sportsbook. Pearson has received a ton of support in early betting, pushing the line in his favor past -400 at some sportsbooks. This may be due in part to the fact that Pearson does not need to travel far, and he is also much more experienced than Couture despite being two years younger. Another key factor involves Couture’s corner, as his father trains him and had a major falling out with UFC president Dana White after signing a contract to work with rival organization Bellator. White has barred the elder Couture from attending any UFC-sanctioned event, so family friend and former UFC welterweight Frank Trigg will be handling cornering duties. MMA bettors may be underestimating Couture’s motivation for what is essentially the biggest fight of his career and read too much into his father not being there. That being said, Pearson is coming off a stellar performance against Sotiropolous, and fans might also be remembering what they saw last in December a lot more than his TKO loss to Swanson at featherweight six months earlier. Pearson does not have the same size advantage at lightweight, and Couture will likely look to use his edges in both height and reach to outwork his opponent and outscore him.
