Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at middleweight Jake Collier as he takes on TUF Brazil 3 Finalist Vitor Miranda at UFC Fight Night 58. Jake “The Prototype” Collier Hometown: Cuba, Missouri Age: 26 Height: 6’3” Reach: 75” Weight Class: Middleweight Camp: Pit MMA Career Record: 8-1 Key Wins: None Key Losses: None Background The Missouri based fighter is the latest in a string of fighters to debut in a main event of a RFA card and get signed directly to the UFC. He’s a self taught MMA fighter that trains at Pat Smith’s Pit MMA in Cuba, Missouri. Strengths
- Very good size for a middleweight
- Decent striker with a kickboxing background
- Does well to land kicks to all areas of the body
- Has good power in his hands as well as his leg kicks
- Pushes forward and likes to be the aggressor
- Takedowns are effective, but based more out of strength instead of technique
- Scrambles well
- Pretty decent all-around skill set
Weaknesses
- Poor footwork
- A bit slow in his movement
- Can lose position in grappling exchanges due to use of throws as opposed to shooting for takedowns
- Minimal experience against decent opposition
Matchup with Vitor Miranda From a skill perspective, this is a very competitive matchup. Both guys are decent strikers and have shown some ability on the ground. While Miranda has faced the better competition, he suffers from an athleticism and reach disadvantage. Collier is the better athlete and is nearly 10 years younger than his Brazilian opponent. He’s the type of fighter that likes to press forward and instill his attack on his opponent. That’s the type of game plan that could give Miranda problems. Miranda has struggled with opponents that are able to press forward. However, Miranda is a crafty veteran and fighting in his native Brazil negates some of the physical advantages for Collier. I expect a competitive bout, but ultimately look for Collier to land the bigger strikes to score a win in his UFC debut. UFC Ceiling Jake Collier is one of the more physically gifted middleweights to enter the UFC in the past few years. He has good size and athleticism for the division. Collier’s base of solid striking with a grappling game make him an intriguing prospect in a division with not many young and upcoming fighters. Collier will need to tighten up his defensive grappling, but other than that there’s enough here to tell that Collier has a nice upward trajectory. Fight Film Check out Jake Collier in some of his recent fights: Highlights of Jake Collier vs. Gabriel Checco
Jake Collier vs. James Wade