UFC on Fuel TV 10: June 8, 2013 Ginásio Paulo Sarasate in Fortaleza, Brazil UFC Middleweight Contender Daniel Sarafian (-270) Profile: Defining the fighting style of Daniel Sarafian (7-3) as MMA is the most accurate way to describe him, although he has a strong background in Judo and Karate as well. It wasn’t until his teens, when he took up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and began training in MMA full-time, that he says he fell in love with the sport. His training took him to American Kickboxing Academy, one of the most prestigious MMA gyms in the world. The 30-year-old then ended up becoming a finalist on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil, only to have to withdraw from UFC 147 due to injury. Sarafian was replaced in the event by a fighter he defeated in the semifinals, and he later lost a tough split decision to another former TUF finalist in CB Dollaway at UFC on FX 7. UFC Middleweight Contender Eddie Mendez (+190) Profile: Eddie Mendez (7-1-1, 1 No-Contest) is a brawler who loves getting into a fight. At times he has been a bit wild, with looping strikes and exhausted overhands, but he is always willing to scrap. The California native has three knockout wins and one submission victory to three decisions, and he is the owner of a decent double-leg takedown. Mendez earned his Strikeforce win via split decision at Melendez vs. Masvidal, showing a good example of his constant and plodding style. Opening UFC on FUEL TV 10 Odds Analysis: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas made Sarafian a solid -270 favorite (bet $270 to win $100) while Mendez opened as a +190 underdog (bet $100 to win $190) at Several Bookmakers sportsbook. Sarafian saw his four-fight winning streak come to an end in his UFC debut against Dolloway via split decision in a bout that won Fight of the Night, so there are definite expectations for him to bounce back here and earn his first victory in the organization. The TUF alum is a true submission specialist with three subs during his winning streak and six among his seven wins overall. Mendez is more of an unknown with most of his experience coming in the Respect In The Cage series, where he went 2-1 with 1 NC. Four of his seven wins (three knockouts and one submission) have resulted in stoppages, with his last three overall going the distance, including wins in each of his past two. Sarafian has only seen three of his 13 career fights go the distance, losing two of them, so look for him to go for yet another submission attempt in an effort to get his first UFC win.
