UFC 105 Preview: Ross Pearson vs. Aaron Riley

Ross Pearson (9-3, 1-0 UFC) vs. Aaron Riley (28-11-1, 2-3 UFC)

The Story So Far: Ross Pearson won the lightweight tournament of the ninth season of The Ultimate Fighter. Pearson was an underdog in the finale bout against Andre Winner but pulled off the upset.

Aaron Riley is a journeyman MMA fighter. Riley has fought for the IFL, Bodog, Pride, Shooto and SFC. Riley recently returned to the UFC where he defeated Jorge Grugel, a loss that knocked Grugel out of the UFC. In Riley's next fight he lost to Shane Nelson in a controversial stoppage at UFC 96. In their rematch Riley avenged his lost defeating Nelson via unanimous decision.

SBN coverage of UFC 105: Couture vs. Vera

Conventional Wisdom: Can you sat stand and bang? Whether true or not the perception within the MMA community is that the quality of wrestling in the United Kingdom is a notch below the United States. Thus it stands to reason that the UFC would protect the TUF 9 winner by giving him a stand-up fighter in Aaron Riley.

WKR Analysis: Ross Pearson's bout with Andre Winner devolved into a dirty boxing clinch battle. Pearson fell behind in the first round but was able to bounce back and take rounds two and three. If Ross falls behind against Riley expect him to try and clinch and dirty box his way to victory.

Fun Fact: Ross Pearson studied to be a bricklayer before becoming interested in martial arts. Also Pearson is from Sunderland England where there happens to be a statue of a walrus in Mowbray park. Don't know why that is important but I think Pearson should change is nickname to the Walrus.