When an unheralded fighter enters the UFC, they are not normally matched up against a high ranking opponent. However, this is what has happened to Papy Abedi - a Judo specialist from Africa. What does this suggest about the UFC's opinion of Abedi? Does it suggest that the opponent (Thiago Alves) has lost some respectability?

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Opponents

The following are Abedi's opponents since he started his MMA career:

1. Mikael Pastor (Abedi won via TKO in '06, opponent's current record: 0-1-0)
2. Juha Kaki (Abedi won via Unanimous Decision in 2007, opponent's current record: 0-1-0)
3. Aldric Cassata (Abedi won via TKO in 2007, opponent's current record: 4-3-0)
4. Timur Akbulut (Abedi won via Submission in 2008, opponent's current record: 4-8-0)
5. Alan Carlos (Abedi won via TKO in 2009, opponent's current record: 5-6-0)
6. Nelton Pontes (Abedi won via TKO in 2009, opponent's current record: 3-1-0)
7. Bohumil Lungrik (Abedi won via TKO in 2010, opponent's current record: 14-12-0)
8. Nathan Schouteren (Abedi won via submission in 2010, opponent's current record: 16-12-2)
   

Combined, his opponents have a current career record total of 46-44-2. That demonstrates he hasn't exactly faced tough competition on the regional circuit. The organisations that he's fought in aren't well-known in the MMA community either.

The Schouteren fight took place on October 2010, which is some time ago.

Apart from the fact that he has a 100% record, he doesn't seem to have done anything to warrant 'highly touted prospect' status, so I wonder why the UFC recruited him. This also isn't a professional record of someone who is good enough to fight Thiago Alves (even though Alves is on a losing streak).

Rankings

In the most recent Sherdog Welterweight ranking, Alves was number 10 (despite not beating a top 10 opponent since October 2008). The SB Nation/USA Today Consensus Rankings have Alves at number 8 (as of July 1st). Abedi is nowhere near this level yet.

Finally...

There is really no reason for thinking that Papy Abedi has a stellar record. There is no way he should be added to the UFC. He definitely shouldn't be considered as an opponent for Thiago Alves. I can only think that it's a business decision because Alves is marketable and they need to get him winning again. I don't think the UFC has a high opinion of Abedi.

So, what do you think?