Welcome to the UFC, McBride & Gonzalez

How can it be that the UFC needs more lightweights? It doesn’t really seem possible, on a roster nearing 540 and in a division hanging around 100, that the lightweight division needs new guys to call on when there’s a short notice opportunity upcoming. But, that always seems to be the way of it. UFC 203 has two such fighters. Jason Gonzalez is set to make his UFC debut, subbing in for the injured Erik Koch against Drew Dober. And most recently, Mairbek Taisumov’s ongoing visa problems have prompted the signing of Michael McBride, who will take on Nik Lentz. So…

Who is Jason Gonzalez?

Former TUF 22 contestant Gonzalez makes his UFC debut having picked up a KO win over streaking regional fighter Chris Padilla. The 26-year-old is currently training out of Millennia MMA, alongside notable UFC talents Lorenz Larkin and Tatiana Suarez, as well as a number of other notable veterans. He comes to the UFC with a 10-2 record, much of which, like many Millennia MMA fighters has been built crushing cans on the California regional circuit. He’d probably be more accurately listed at 5-2, for what it’s worth. On the flip side, his win over Padilla is legit, and he scored a notable early career victory over former UFC fighter Christos Giagos. His record isn’t entirely bad, just padded.

What you should expect:

Gonzalez is a high volume kickboxer standing. And, along with his rangy 6’ 2” frame and powerful arms, this makes him a somewhat more foreboding striker than he might otherwise be based on pure technique. Not to say that he’s a lacking striker, just that he doesn’t seem to tend to sit down on a lot of his punches, meaning that he takes a lot of steam off them to work at a high pace and stay outside. He’s a more powerful kicker however, and very willing to throw a lot of flashy spin kicks when given room to work. In part, because he works at a high pace and also just because he doesn’t have …

continue reading in source www.bloodyelbow.com