UFC 154: November 17, 2012 Montreal, Quebec, Canada UFC Middleweight Contender Constantinos Philippou (-225) Profile: Following an unsuccessful attempt at making a team on The Ultimate Fighter 11, Constantinos Philippou (11-2) was still able to make it to the UFC as a late replacement to fight Nick Catone at UFC 128. Although he lost his promotional debut via unanimous decision, the Greek Serra BJJ-trained fighter has gone on to win his last four UFC fights in a row, beating vet Jorge Rivera, TUF 11 winner Court McGee and Ricki Fukuda. At 32 years of age and only four years of pro experience behind him, Philippou simply needs to keep taking advantage of his opportunities and win consistently to stay in the UFC over the long haul. UFC Middleweight Contender Nick Ring (+175) Profile: After being forced out of The Ultimate Fighter 11 due to a severe knee injury, Nick Ring (13-1) had nearly a year of arduous rehabilitation before he could make his UFC debut at UFC 127. After proceeding to win his first two fights in the Octagon and extending his unbeaten streak to 12-0, the 33-year-old Canadian finally lost at UFC 135 via unanimous decision to fellow middleweight contender Tim Boetsch, who fought Hector Lombard on the same card in the co-main event at UFC 149. Ring is a solid fighter who also has a 4-1 pro boxing record, which combined with his brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu makes him dangerous both standing up and on the ground. Opening UFC 154 Odds Analysis: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas made Philippou a solid -225 favorite (bet $225 to win $100) while Ring opened as a +175 underdog (bet $100 to win $175) according to the MMA odds. Both of these middleweight fighters are up-and-comers in the division, but only one of them will continue his charge toward the top. Each has beaten a recent common opponent in TUF 11 winner Court McGee, which is quite ironic considering they were show participants that same season. Philippou did not survive the opening elimination bout in TUF and has used that as motivation ever since in winning his last four fights in the UFC. Three of those wins went to the judges, so he knows how to score points and grind out a victory. Ring is 3-1 in the UFC with the lone loss during that stretch coming against Boetsch. Philippou and Ring also share another recent common opponent in Riki Fukuda, with both winning by unanimous decision. Ring was able to fight in his hometown of Calgary in his last fight against McGee and will be back in Canada for the third time in four bouts. Philippou will be fighting in his fourth different country in as many fights, and his only loss in his past 13 bouts came at catchweight of 195 pounds against Nick Catone via UD at UFC 128.
