UFC on FUEL TV 7: February 16, 2013 Wembley Arena in London, England UFC Light Heavyweight Contender James Te Huna (-165) Profile: James Te Huna (15-5) has won three straight fights at light heavyweight in the UFC and nine of 10 overall, with his only loss during that stretch coming against rising star Alexander Gustafsson. He is 4-1 in the UFC, and two of his last three opponents have been knockout victims (Ricardo Romero and Aaron Rosa). The 31-year-old New Zealander won the Cage Fighting Championship Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Finals in 2009 before signing a contract with the UFC in 2010. He won his UFC debut against Igor Pokrajac via TKO before falling to Gustafsson by rear-naked choke submission at UFC 127, his first setback since losing to Hector Lombard in 2007. Te Huna is coming off a tough unanimous decision win over Joey Beltran in which he suffered broken bones in his left hand and left foot. UFC Light Heavyweight Contender Ryan Jimmo (+125) Profile: Owner of a 17-fight winning streak, Ryan Jimmo (17-1) made his way to the UFC from the Canadian Maximum Fighting Championship ranks as the MFC light heavyweight champion. He did not disappoint in his UFC debut, tying for the fastest knockout in UFC history at just seven seconds with a powerful punch that ended his fight against Anthony Perosh at UFC 149 very quickly. With a smothering physical style, Jimmo has frustrated his opponents over nearly his entire six-year MMA career. Aside from his lone loss to former CFL player Adam Braidwood, the 31-year-old Edmonton native has ramped up his training and roughed up his opponents to the tune of seven knockouts, two submissions and eight decision wins. Opening UFC on FUEL TV 7 Odds Breakdown: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas has made Te Huna a small -165 favorite (bet $165 to win $100) against Jimmo, who opened as a +125 underdog (bet $100 to win $125) at Several Bookmakers sportsbook. Jimmo probably will not be able to duplicate his record-tying KO performance at UFC 149, but he does not need to in order to stick with the organziation. He simply needs to extend his 17-fight winning streak and not worry about dazzling the crowd with a spectacular finish. Six of Jimmo’s last eight fights have gone to the judges, so he is capable of grinding out a win if needed. Interestingly, this will be his first pro bout outside of his home country of Canada. Like Jimmo, Te Huna also will be looking to keep winning in an effort to climb the ranks in one of the UFC’s toughest divisions. The lone loss among his last 10 fights came against rising star Gustafsson, and he has won his last three. Te Huna is known for his heavy hands, which have contributed to knockouts in seven of his last eight wins. He is also coming off a Fight of the Night victory against Beltran, one of only two decision wins he has earned during his career. The odds of a stoppage by one of the two fighters are fairly strong, as UNDER 2.5 rounds opened at -165.
