Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at strawweight newcomer JJ Aldrich as she makes her UFC debut against Brazilian veteran Julianna Lima at UFC Fight Night 102 in Albany, New York. JJ Aldrich Hometown: Denver, Colorado Age: 24 Height: 5’5” Reach: 64” Weight Class: Strawweight Camp: 303 Training Center Career Record: 4-1 Key Wins: None Key Losses: Jamie Moyle Background The Invicta FC veteran has been training in martial arts since she was nine years old. She’s a third degree black belt in taekwondo and a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Strengths
- Good footwork
- Tends to push forward and constantly pressure opponents
- Decent overall striking technique
Weaknesses
- Lacks knockout power
- Struggles with physical fighters
- Can be dominated on the ground by physically stronger fighters
Matchup with Juliana Lima Aldrich steps into this fight on short notice to take on Brazilian veteran Juliana Lima. Aldrich has a nice all-around game with nice technique in her striking and improving grappling. The problem for her in this fight is that Lima is the worst possible stylistic matchup for her. While Aldrich is fundamentally sound, her lack of physicality is the biggest fault in her ability to move forward. Both times in her career she was tasked to fight physically strong fighters (Moyle and Tatiana Suarez), she was dominated and ultimately submitted. Lima is very much the same type of fighter. Lima is one of the strongest fighters in the strawweight division and will have success getting Aldrich to the mat and at a minimum winning rounds in top control. Lima has a solid Jiu-Jitsu game and can earn a submission win of her own as well; it depends just how aggressive she is on the mat. Either way, Lima’s physical wrestling approach will be just too strong for Aldrich to deal with it. Once lines are released, I’ll be looking at Lima moneyline, Lima points handicap and the Lima by submission prop. UFC Ceiling Aldrich is a young fighter who trains alongside one of the best strawweights in the world in Rose Namajunas. She has the all-around talent to compete in the strawweight division. She is a solid striker and competent grappler and also has the makings of a submission game. Based on skills alone, she can win some fights in the UFC. What she needs to improve is her physical strength. Currently, she’s not built to grind out wins in the world’s biggest MMA promotion. She needs to improve her strength to be able to contend with the division’s best wrestlers and grapplers. Until she’s able to do that, her success will be severely limited. Fight Film Check out Aldrich in some of her most recent fights: JJ Aldrich vs. Lynn Alvarez JJ Aldrich vs. Kristi Lopez