This Saturday night at the Key Arena in Seattle, Washington, the highly anticipated UFC on FOX 5 event hits the airwaves. But before the incredible main card, there is an equally stacked undercard full of fights to look at and breakdown. On Facebook.com at 4:20 p.m. (ET), longtime WEC vet Scott Jorgensen (13-6) kicks off UFC on FOX 5 against a former contestant from The Ultimate Fighter 14, John Albert (7-3). Albert saw a quick exit from the competition on TUF after losing to eventual season winner John Dodson in the first round, but he was still signed to the UFC to bolster the bantamweight division. He’s 1-3 inside the Octagon and will have his hands full with Jorgensen, who will likely try to put Albert on his back for the duration of the match no doubt. It will be very difficult for Albert to overcome Jorgensen’s wrestling. Jorgensen is 2-2 in the UFC and opened as a big favorite at -305 (bet $305 to win $100) compared to the underdog Albert at +235 (bet $100 to win $235) according to the MMA odds. From Facebook, the event switches to the preliminary card on FX with featherweights Dennis Siver (20-8) and Nam Phan (18-10) starting the broadcast at 5 p.m. Siver has always been one on the cusp, looking in on the lightweight division, but since his cut to 145, he’s finally looked like he’s found the correct weight class. Meanwhile, Phan changes like the weather. He’s a solid overall fighter, but isn’t a world beater by any means. This fight should be exciting, but Siver has much more experience and opened as the strong favorite at -295 to Phan’s +225. In a strange turn of events, King of the Cage vet Tim Means (18-3-1) slipped in the sauna while cutting weight and knocked himself unconscious and out of the event. Now, extremely late replacement Marcus LeVesseur will take on UFC newcomer Abel Trujillo (9-4). At 22-6, the 30-year-old LeVesseur will be difficult for Trujillo to adjust to at the last second. Trujillo will have his hands full even if he comes from an incredible camp full of talent like the Blackzillians. After all, this is his UFC debut and the “Octagon jitters” are a very real thing. It’s hard to say what will happen with these late changes, as fighters prepare for one opponent their entire camp, and now that’s out the window. MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened LeVesseur as a solid -205 favorite against Trujillo (+155). Henry Martinez (9-2) vs. Daron Cruickshank (11-2) follows and is another close fight in the deep lightweight division. Martinez has two fights in the UFC that have both been split decisions. He’s fought from featherweight to welterweight but has found his stride when he splits the difference and lands at lightweight. However, Martinez (+105) has yet to see anything but a split decision inside the Octagon and faces a tough, evenly-matched fight against former TUF 15 contestant Cruickshank (-135), who opened as a slight favorite because he has the more well-rounded game. TUF 13 runner-up Ramsey Njiem (6-2) is next on the bill against Joe Proctor (8-1) in a lightweight bout that should be entertaining. Since losing TUF at welterweight, Njiem has seen success in returning to lightweight, winning two straight inside the Octagon. Proctor spent time in the TUF 15 house as well, without experiencing the same success. However, he has done well with his limited time in the UFC, scoring a first-round TKO at the TUF 15 Finale. Nijem has good wrestling, which is the standout key to this fight for both fighters. Proctor (+125) is also more comfortable on the ground than the feet, so MMA bettors can expect a fight full of grappling, with Nijem (-155) holding a small edge. With the news of UFC bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz being out an additional nine months following a second ACL surgery, the match between Raphael Assuncao (17-4) and Mike Easton (13-1) may have added drama to the match. Assuncao is 2-1 in the UFC while Easton is undefeated and on a hot eight-fight winning streak. With the interim bantamweight title fight between Renan Barao and Michael McDonald slated for early 2013, this fight could ultimately determine the next top challenger. Both fighters are well-rounded, and this should be a close fight between the favored Easton (-160) and the Brazilian Assuncao (+130). Headlining the preliminary card is Yves Edwards and Lil’ Heathen Jeremy Stephens. This is a fight that was originally scheduled for UFC on FX 5 but postponed after Stephens was brought into custody for an assault charge from the previous year. Seemingly back and in a better state of mind, Stephens has a lot on his shoulders. He’s lost his last two in the lightweight division, the first being a close, split decision against Anthony Pettis, and the second a unanimous decision awarded to Donald Cerrone. Yves Edwards stands across the cage from him at 3-2 in his last five matches since rejoining the UFC. Both men are veterans, but it should come down to whether or not Edwards is able to take Lil’ Heathen’s devastating strikes. There’s a good chance Stephens will touch his chin, which is one reason he is the -175 favorite against Edwards (+145).
