Welterweight bout: Ben Alloway (+105) vs Zak Cummings (-115) Fight Breakdown: The facebook prelims for UFC Fight Night 27 from Indianapolis, IN feature a welterweight match-up between two veterans of The Ultimate Fighter series, when TUF: Australia vs UK’s Ben Alloway takes on TUF 17’s Zak Cummings. Alloway is currently the slight dog at +105 ($100 to win $105), with Cummings being the slight favorite at Several Bookmakerss. Ben Alloway (13-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) looks to rebound from a Unanimous Decision loss to Ryan LaFlare nearly five months ago. Alloway was on a six fight win streak until losing to LaFlare, in a fight in which he was simply outwrestled for fifteen minutes. Ben Alloway is a good fighter, all around; his jiu-jitsu is good, his striking is good, and his conditioning is up there, too. He is certainly a finisher, as 10 of his 13 career victories have come inside the distance; 6 by TKO/KO and 4 by submission. Alloway is a threat on the ground and on the feet so if a superior fighter lets his guard down against him or takes him too lightly, it may result in being a huge mistake, as Alloway is capable of catching his opponents at any time. He has no quit in him and will be looking for the finish for every minute of the entire fifteen. Zak Cummings (15-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is making his UFC debut and welterweight debut simultaneously, as he drops to 170 pounds to face Ben Alloway. Cummings looked very impressive in his elimination fight to get into the house on TUF 17 but failed to impess after that, as he lost in the opening round to Dylan Andrews in a fight which he completely quit in. That fight lead me to think that Zak Cummings is a weak minded fighter who does not have much heart. Basically the opposite of Ben Alloway. But, also much like Alloway, Cummings is most certainly a finisher, as 12 of his 15 career victories have come inside the distance; 4 by TKO/KO and 8 by submission. The only losses on Zak Cummings’ resume are to current UFC lightweight Ryan Jimmo, current UFC middleweight Tim Kennedy, and middleweight prospect Elvis Mutapcic. That said, he owns zero victories over any fighters worth mentioning. All of his victories have been against cans. If he gets a win here, it will both be his first win at welterweight and the best win of his professional mixed martial arts career. Cummings will have the size advantage going into this bout but he will surely be at a cardio disadvantage. Fight Prediction: I think Cummings will get the better of Alloway in the first half of the fight but as he gasses, Alloway will come on strong and find a finish. If not, then do enough to take rounds two and three. Gabe’s Pick: Ben Alloway by Submission (rear naked choke, 3:44 round 3) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Ben Alloway +3.5 (NO LINE YET, guessing -150, keep an eye out for it!) The +105 moneyline is also worth a shot at a small play, if you wanna go that route. Alloway is a fighter with heart and Cummings is the opposite. Cummings’ weight-cut to 170 should also hurt him in that sense, especially because of his gas tank. If he shows up in great shape and controls Alloway for three rounds like Ryan LaFlare did, I will be surprised, but I’ve seen stranger things happen inside the cage.
