AXS TV’s newest property makes their second appearance on the network this Friday, as CES MMA 27 takes place from Rhode Island. The card features, just as their AXS debut was, by Julian Lane in a lightweight title bout. This time however, Lane enters as the champion and looks to retain his belt against 22-year-old submission artist Lucas Cruz. That is not the main event however, as fellow TUF veteran Chuck O’Neil defends the welterweight title he won against Ricardo Funch back in October. O’Neil has won his past three bouts, and six of eight since being cut from the UFC. Aside from Funch, he also holds a victory over UFC veteran Marcus Davis during that time. His record stands at 5-1 in CES bouts, and hopes to add another to the win column against Manny Walo. Walo has not been defeated since his pro MMA debut, going undefeated in eight fights since December 2011. Walo has only picked up a pair of stoppages in his current run however, meaning he’ll likely have to go 25 minutes against a more experienced opponent if he wants to pick up the win and walk out with the belt. In the lightweight title bout, Lane carries a three-fight winning streak into this bout, and his last loss was a very respectable one against UFC lightweight Paul Felder. The TUF 16 alum who is best remembered for his “Let me bang, bro” tirade, has actually made his guillotine choke his most dangerous weapon, using it to pick up five of his eight career wins. Cruz hasn’t been on the same type of run lately, as he has dropped two of his past three bouts, including his last two appearances in CES. The rear-naked choke has been Cruz’ weapon of choice, ending four bouts with it. MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened the betting lines for the two title fights on CES MMA 27 today at Several Bookmakers. Take a look: ——————– MAIN CARD (AXS TV, 10pm ET) CES Welterweight Title Chuck O’Neil -210 Manny Walo +160 CES Lightweight Title Julian Lane -125 Lucas Cruz -115 ——————– Brad’s Analysis: Walo will be the better wrestler in this fight, but he’s also more green once the fight hits the ground. O’Neil shows some good ground skills at times, like in his title victory over Ricardo Funch, and Walo hasn’t shown the strongest base in his fights. That could be a good combination for O’Neil, but if Walo doesn’t take this to the ground I don’t think O’Neil will be able to get it to the ground on his own against the solid wrestling of the challenger. On the feet, neither guy is particularly special, but Walo should be a bit quicker and O’Neil has shown poor defense in the past, so that could be the recipe for a title change. In the end however, I think Walo’s wrestling instincts kick in, this ends up on the ground, and the champion retains with a submission. Lucas Cruz fights in bursts. He’ll back up for periods at a time with no activity, then come forward with aggressive, wild combinations. I think Lane is the type of fighter who won’t really take advantage of Cruz’ inactivity, as he doesn’t push a particularly high pace, and seems to go to decision more often than not of late. If it does go to decision, Lane’s style means this bout will be close, but judges could be swayed by Cruz’ aggression. If this bout does see a finish, I think Cruz is more likely to have his hand raised as Lane’s chin has failed him in the past.
