UFC Event

UFC 146 Fight Card Primer: Jacob Volkmann Vs. Paul Sass

By Tim Burke@TB_Money May 26, 2012, 1:00pm EDT

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

One of these guys is pretty polarizing, but it's not because he's an exciting fighter. The other is a one-dimensional machine that is constantly looking for the submission. Grappling weirdo Jacob Volkmann (14-2, 5-2 UFC) meets British fighter Paul Sass (12-0, 2-0 UFC).

Volkmann is currently ranked at number 24 at lightweight in the USA Today/BE Consensus Rankings, while Sass is unranked. Normally when you're 5-0 at lightweight in the UFC you'd probably grab some attention, but Volkmann's outspoken personality is definitely hurting him with rankings guys. A win over Volkmann would be huge for Sass and could earn him some votes. This lightweight UFC 146 bout is the third bout of the preliminary card and will be streamed live on Facebook. The Facebook stream begins at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

How do these two stack up?

Volkmann: 31 years old | 5'9" | Unknown reach
Sass: 23 years old | 6'1" | 73" reach

What have these two done recently?

Volkmann: W - Efrain Escudero (UD) | W - Danny Castillo (UD) | W - Antonio McKee (SD)
Sass: W - Michael Johnson (SUB) | W - Mark Holst (SUB) | W - Jason Young (SUB)

How did these two get here?

Jacob Volkmann was a three-time All-American wrestler at the University of Minnesota, and entered the UFC as an undefeated welterweight in 2009. Losses to Paulo Thiago and Martin Kampmann forced him to drop to 155, where he's fared much better thus far. His five straight wins have him knocking on the door of success in the division, and a win over Sass would definitely help that cause.

Paul Sass is a straight-up submission machine. He had picked up nine subs (seven by triangle choke) and ten victories before being signed by the UFC in 2009. He has submitted his two UFC opponents as well, but has been hampered by injuries of late.

Why should you care?

The wrestling guy with good submission defense against the submission machine. It's either going to be really interesting or really boring.

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