‘TUF 13’ Finale Preview: The Prelims
Duran vs. Rivera
Jason Probst Jun 3, 2011
Reuben Duran (right) is a former Grappler’s Quest champion |
Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
Bantamweights
Reuben Duran vs. Francisco Rivera
The Matchup: This one promises to be an action-packed fight, with two aggressive bantamweights who lost in their big-show debuts.
Duran, a four-time Grappler’s Quest champion, has the better ground skills and will enter the cage on the strength of his strong showing against former WEC bantamweight title contender Takeya Mizugaki at UFC Live 3 in March.
Rivera figures to go quickly here, after some exchanges on the feet send him to the mat. He entered his WEC debut in November unbeaten in five outings, only to have Erik Koch show him the door in 96 seconds.
The Pick: Duran by second-round submission.
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