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 an important middleweight bout between Uriah Hall and Krzysztof Jotko.
Uriah Hall (Record: 12-8, +180 Underdog, Power Ranking: C+)
One of the most hyped fighters in the history of The Ultimate Fighter, Uriah Hall has gone 5-6 outside of the house. Hall is currently on the longest losing streak of his career (three straight), and his last two losses have been by knockout.
The Jamaica-born Hall is one of the most feared strikers in the middleweight division. With a 79 inch reach, Hall is right near the top of the division and is able to land strikes others are simply not able to. His athletic gifts make him an awkward matchup for most fighters in the division. He’s not only able to strike from range, but it’s the creativity he has in the stand-up that makes him a big-time threat. Hall uses a lot of spinning attacks and has opponents guessing what he’ll do next. If Hall lands clean, he can knock out anyone in the division. His problem has been that he can become a bit static on the feet. There are periods of inactivity in his bouts where he simply doesn’t exchange and has ended up on the wrong side of the total strikes in a fight and therefore takes a loss. Hall can also be controlled on the ground. His takedown defense is decent at 72%, but he has been a bit overwhelmed by fighters who can limit his mobility and score points in the ground exchanges. Hall struggles to get back to his feet when he’s put on his back and it’s a real hole in his overall skill set.
Krzysztof Jotko (Record: 19-2, -220 Favorite, Power Ranking: B-)
The Polish-born middleweight is one of the more unheralded fighters on the UFC roster, but his results show he should not be discredited. Jotko has fought eight times in the UFC, winning six of those bouts. He’s risen into the top 10 of the division, but his momentum was halted in his last bout when he dropped a split decision to David Branch.
Jotko isn’t a natural striker, but he’s made improvements throughout his time in the UFC. He doesn’t have much success at range, but he does very well to work into range. He’s good in the clinch and just as good as striking while he’s disengaging out of the clinch. Jotko tends to fight at a high pace, forcing his opponents to use a lot of energy. His style is not necessarily pretty, but it has proven effective in the UFC. Jotko has done well to tire out opponents and exploit them late in fights where he can outwork them and pile on the volume. Defensively he is very good, absorbing just 1.55 significant strikes per minute in the cage. He also does well when he can earn takedowns and keep busy in top position. He secures 1.19 takedowns per 15 minutes and typically wins a round when he can secure a takedown.
Matchup
In a matchup of top 15 middleweights, exciting striker Uriah Hall takes on grinder Krzysztof Jotko on the preliminary portion of the UFC Fight Night 116 card. While Hall has the ability for the spectacular finish, I think he’s in for a difficult fight with Jotko. The Polish middleweight does an excellent job of closing distance and making fights ugly. Hall has struggled in the past in these type of fights and I expect him to struggle again here. He simply doesn’t have the prolonged volume to be successful to grind out decisions. While Hall has been finished in his last two bouts, he’s facing a fighter now that excels on volume rather one punch power. This bout should go the distance and furthermore, a three round victory for the Polish middleweight. Jotko by decision (-115) is the most likely result, but a juiced decision prop is not something I typically look to consider. If that moves closer to fight day to +125, then it comes into range. If lines hold as is, this fight is a no bet.
