UFC Fight Night in Brazil is rapidly approaching this weekend, headlined by an epic rematch between Dan Henderson and Mauricio Rua. It should be an awesome bout.
Before that, though, there is a whole preliminary card with prospects scattered all over it. From guys who have already fought for the company to a couple making their debuts, there is some good potential lingering on the undercard.
With that, let's take a look at three prelim fighters who could really break out this weekend in Brazil.
Hans Stringer
To the surprise of many, there are not a lot of Dutch fighters on the UFC roster. There is a new face from the Netherlands, though, that will be making his UFC debut in Hans Stringer.
Stringer fights Francimar Barroso, a Nova Uniao fighter that didn't do much to impress in his UFC debut. That could leave for the potential of Stringer breaking out against Barroso.
Stringer is a striker with an underrated ground game who has been working with the Blackzilians. He is coming off a draw in World Series of Fighting against Francisco France, a guy who I think is a better version of Barroso.
A win for Stringer would be huge, especially in a light heavyweight division that needs fresh faces.
Noad Lahat
Israel has never really been represented heavily in the UFC before. In fact, other than Ido Pariente showing up on The Ultimate Fighter, I can't remember one Israeli fighter on the roster.
Who has the most upside of these three fighters?
Noad Lahat represents that country, despite the fact he fights out of California. He trains with American Kickboxing Academy, showing that he has good training and the right coaches to be successful.
He is relatively young in his career at 7-0, though he has been a finisher worth watching in the cage. He has only gone to decision once, which will make him an interesting one to watch when he takes on Godofredo Pepey.
A win over Pepey would get him on the right track. An impressive finish would really cement him as a guy to watch going forward.
Kenny Robertson
In my opinion, Kenny Robertson has sort of underachieved in his time with the UFC. That should all change when he takes on a guy he matches up well with in Thiago Perpetuo.
After using a Submission of the Year Suloev Stretch against Brock Jardine to pick up his first UFC win, Robertson took his foot off the gas and his eye off the prize against Sean Pierson. It is a fight he should have won.
The time is now for Robertson to prove he belongs in the UFC. An impressive showing against Perpetuo would really give him new life in a division crowded with talent.
