UFC on Fuel fight card primer: Stefan Struve vs. Stipe Miocic

Everything you need to know about UFC on Fuel TV 5 and Stefan Struve vs. Stipe Miocic.

By Fraser Coffeen@FCoffeen Sep 29, 2012, 2:00pm EDT

In the main event at UFC on Fuel 5, Stefan Struve (24-5 MMA; 8-3 UFC) squares off against Stipe Miocic (9-0 MMA; 3-0 UFC). This Heavyweight contest is the last of 6 main card fights. The USA TODAY / MMA Nation Consensus MMA Rankings have Struve listed as the #13 Heavyweight in the world, with Miocic at #18. The UFC on Fuel show airs live from the UK at a special daytime start time of 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT.

This is really an excellent battle between two exciting UFC Heavyweights. It's also a very close one to call, as both men have shown themselves to be contenders in their recent outings. Dana White says the winner here will be #5 or #6 in the world at Heavyweight. That may be a bit extreme, but the winner definitely should enter the upper echelon of UFC Heavyweights.

How do these two stack up?

Struve: 24 years old | 6'11" | 84.5" reach
Miocic: 30 years old | 6'4" | 80" reach

What have these two done recently?

Struve: W - Lavar Johnson (Sub) | W - Dave Herman (TKO) | W - Pat Barry (Sub)
Miocic: W - Shane del Rosario (TKO) | W - Philip De Fries (KO) | W - Joey Beltran (UD)

How did these two get here?

Stefan "Skyscraper" Struve came to the UFC in 2009, where he had the unlucky position of debuting against Junior dos Santos. Since that debut, he's gone 8-2 in the UFC, and is currently on a 3 fight win streak. Struve has a huge height advantage over pretty much every fighter, yet he still struggles to use that height to his fullest when striking. On the mat, he makes excellent use of his limbs with a very strong submission game, and he's been focusing more on those submissions in recent wins. At just 24, Struve still has a world of potential and is a very exciting young talent.

More Bloody Elbow coverage of UFC on Fuel TV 5

Stipe Miocic has only been a pro since 2010, and came to the UFC last year with very little experience. But he quickly made a big impact, defeating Joey Beltran in his debut. His last fight was his biggest win to date, as he stopped Shane del Rosario. Miocic uses his skill in both wrestling and boxing to control fights, and it's served him well so far, as he is undefeated. Struve is definitely his toughest test yet, but if he can get by the Skyscraper and keep his winning streak alive, he'll take a huge step in the UFC.

Why should you care?

This is such a tough fight to call, which makes it incredibly exciting. Both fighters also have very fun styles, and the winner will move up the ladder. I'm really excited for this one.

More UFC on Fuel TV 5 preview coverage from Bloody Elbow:

UFC on Fuel 5 Fight Card - Tim Burke

UFC on Fuel Staff Predictions - Tim Burke

Dan Hardy vs. Amir Sadollah Dissection - Dallas Winston

Brad Pickett vs. Yves Jabouin Dissection - Dallas Winston

Paul Sass vs. Matt Wiman Dissection - Dallas Winston

John Hathaway vs. John Maguire Dissection - Dallas Winston

Duane Ludwig vs. Che Mills Dissection - Dallas Winston

Preliminary Card Preview - Fraser Coffeen

Stefan Struve's Bloody Path to Contention - Brent Brookhouse

5 Reasons to watch UFC on Fuel - T.P. Grant

Risk vs. Reward for Struve vs. Miocic - Fraser Coffeen