Prior to each UFC fight card, Jay Primetown takes a look at some of the key contests at each event. In the latest installment, we look at a preliminary bout between Englishman Ian Entwistle and Welshman Brett Johns. Ian Entwistle (Record: 9-3, +350 Underdog, Power Ranking: D) The Accrington, England native has fought three times in the UFC, compiling a 1-2 record. All 12 of his professional fights have ended in the first round. Seven of his nine career victories have been by submission. Entwistle is as one-dimensional of a fighter as there currently is on the UFC roster. His stand-up game is non-existent, and he’s unable to compete in a prolonged standing exchange. He has a tendency to dive at his opponent’s feet to grab ahold of a leg and look to lock in a submission. His last five victories have come within the first two minutes of the opening bell. If he’s unable to secure a submission, he eventually succumbs to strikes. He leaves himself exposed when attempting submissions, therefore taking damage in an effort to lock in the submission. It has worked in his lead up to the UFC, but on two of three occasions in the UFC, the strategy backfired. Win quickly or lose trying sums up Entwistle’s strategy inside the Octagon. Brett Johns (Record: 13-0, -440 Favorite, Power Ranking: C) The undefeated Welshman had an impressive UFC debut when he dominated talented prospect Kwan Ho Kwak in November of 2016. Of his last six fights, Johns has won five of them by decision. He’s shown to be a fighter who can control opponents from start to finish. The first fighter from Wales to debut in the UFC, Johns has the weight of a nation’s success in the world’s biggest MMA promotion on his shoulders. On the feet, he’s got good hands. In particular, he’s got a sneaky good left hook. He’s willing to box with opponents, but where he does the majority of his work is on the ground. He has a variety of takedown techniques in which he can get opponents to the mat. Once on the mat, he has a very high work rate and does a good job of controlling components. Historically, he’s not been a finisher. He’s relied on his conditioning to consistently outwork opponents from round to round. Matchup No matter who is in the cage against Entwistle, his fights go one of two ways. He either latches on to a leg to help secure a quick submission or he loses. These two fighters are nearly polar opposites of each other. Entwistle comes out strong with an all or nothing approach while Johns fights at a consistent pace and has no issue controlling a fighter for 15 minutes. In this bout, it comes down to whether Entwistle can get a quick leg lock. The problem is Johns knows it’s coming and was able to develop an entire training camp to defend it. Look for Johns to stifle Entwistle’s submission attempts. Then once Entwistle tires, look for Johns to beat up his opponent with ground-and-pound to earn a stoppage. All of Entwistle’s fights have ended in the first round. Johns Inside the Distance (-300) is more than I’d want to consider, but the under 1.5 (-185) likely hits in this bout. It also allows for a shock submission win by Entwistle. I’ll also be looking at the Johns Round 1 prop once the line is released.
