UFC 185 is due to be one of the better offerings that the UFC has put together thus far in 2015. Two title bouts sit at the top of the docket, but there are a number of interesting matchups scheduled for the card. One bout in particular raises a flag as a potential show stealer which could send both men away $50,000 richer: Sam Stout vs. Ross Pearson. It is the exact type of matchup that can fly under the radar but leave fans wishing they had two more rounds to enjoy.
Pearson vs. Stout is expected to serve as the “main event” of the UFC 185 preliminary card on Fox Sports 1 and lead into the pay-per-view portion of the event. Both Stout and Pearson are two long-standing veterans of the Octagon. Stout has 18 appearances in nearly 10 years of service to Zuffa, while Pearson has 14 appearances of his own that date back to 2009. Neither of these men has been considered a part of the top tier of the lightweight division, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t had their fair share of captivating fights.
Stout is probably best known for his trilogy against Spencer Fisher, which occurred over bouts at UFC on FX 4, UFC Fight Night 10, and UFC 58. They were never fighting over the 155-pound belt, but nevertheless, their trilogy will be remembered as one of the best.
Pearson has come on as of late; whether it’s in controversial decision losses to Diego Sanchez and Edson Barboza, or in vicious stoppages in his bouts with Gray Maynard and George Sotiropoulos, Pearson has shown tremendous entertainment value .
That brings us to UFC 185, where these two men will meet in a fight that on paper doesn’t have much “value” to fans. Neither man is ranked within the top fifteen or is even on the fringes of that list. However, their styles present a bout that could get the American Airlines Center crowd cheering in excitement.
The Fight Metric comparison of these two men shows dossiers that are very similar in nature. Both have a propensity to get into bouts that are mostly contested on the feet and have a duration longer than 10 minutes. As mainstream fight fans continue to express their love for violent, kickboxing-like fights, Stout and Pearson should play directly into that expectation.
Pearson is the favorite going into this fight, but Stout’s power allows him to snatch away victories when needed. What will be a key factor to watch out for is whether Stout is particularly aggressive in his striking. Pearson is more of a counter-style boxer, and Stout’s propensity to get a bit wild with his attacks can play against him. It was a counter blow that K.J. Noons landed at The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale which put Stout away in 30 seconds. Pearson hasn’t shown that same kind of one-punch power thus far, but he does have the ability to land counter combinations which add up in both damage and in points with the judges.
That dynamic creates an atmosphere for a really exciting fight over 15 minutes. Pearson and Stout have shown a good amount of respect for each other leading up to this fight, and that should carry over into the cage. However, that respect will not lead to either man being timid. For all of these reasons, Sam Stout vs. Ross Pearson has the potential to steal the show at UFC 185.
• Ross Pearson vs. Sam Stout
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UFC 185: Pettis vs. dos Anjos is due to take place on March 14, 2015 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
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