Preview: UFC Fight Night 187 Prelims

Welterweight

NR | Matthew Semelsberger (7-2, 1-0 UFC) vs. NR | Jason Witt (18-6, 1-1 UFC)

ODDS: Semelsberger (-130), Witt (+110)

It is always nice to see a well-seasoned vet get a first UFC win, and that was true of Witt’s victory over Cole Williams in October. “The Vanilla Gorilla” came to the Octagon on the back of a solid if basic style, applying consistent pressure and looking to score with either power hooks or takedowns. When he got the late-notice call against Takashi Sato in June, the worry was that Witt simply was not a UFC-level athlete. Sato starched him in just 48 seconds, which only added to those concerns. That made it a pleasant surprise when Witt turned around and dominated his fight against Williams, taking the initiative, executing some impressive slams and eventually scoring a second-round submission. Witt looks to make it two wins in a row when he faces Maryland’s Semelsberger, who is on the other end of the experience spectrum. Semelsberger has some athletic talent and some decent skills, but he is the type of raw prospect who probably made it to the UFC a few years too soon. His pre-UFC fights showed a formless fighter capable of some impressive moments, and while he delivered a one-sided win against Carlton Minus in his Octagon debut, he still got hit too much while overwhelming a lesser athlete. The best version of Semelsberger, however he develops, should be able to beat this current iteration of Witt. However, while Semelsberger’s athleticism might wind up carrying him here, it is hard to favor him against a consistent veteran with the ability to control a fight. The pick is for Witt to grind out the decision win.