The opening bout of the UFC 148 card is a do-or-die matchup for both. These lightweights are both coming off losses, and desperately need to turn things around if they hope to stay in the organization. Rafaello Oliveira (14-5, 1-4 UFC) meets Yoislandy Izquierdo (6-1, 0-1 UFC)
Neither man is ranked at lightweight in the USA Today/BE Consensus Rankings,and neither is going to get any consideration with a win here either. Izquierdo was seen as a quality prospect when he came into the UFC though, so a win here might get him some attention at least. This lightweight UFC 148 bout is the first fight on the card, and will be streamed live on Facebook. The Facebook stream begins at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.
How do these two stack up?
Oliveira: 30 years old | 5'8" | 71.5"reach
Izquierdo: 28 years old | 5'10" | 72.5 reach
What have these two done recently?
Oliveira: L - Yves Edwards (TKO) | L - Gleison Tibau (SUB) | W - Ryan Bixler (TKO)
Izquierdo: L - Reza Madadi (SUB) | W - Patrick Cenoble (TKO) | W - Chris Garcia (TKO)
How did these two get here?
This is Oliveira's second go-around with the UFC. He was cut in early 2010 after a 1-2 stint in the organization, with decision losses to Nik Lentz and Andre Winner sandwiching a decision win over John Gunderson. Four straight wins got him re-signed, but he hasn't done much better this time around in the organization, getting finished by Yves Edwards and Gleison Tibau. This might be his last opportunity in the big show.
Yoislandy "Cuba" Izquierdo picked up six straight wins in the southeast regional scene to earn a shot in the big time at UFC on Fuel 2 against Reza Madadi. He showed off some good striking, but was unable to deal with Madadi's relentless takedowns and got submitted in the second round. He's a karate and san shou fighter by trade.
Why should you care?
Two guys fighting for their UFC lives usually bring it. That's all I got.
You can catch more UFC 148 preview content from Bloody Elbow after the jump.
UFC 148 Weigh-In Live Video And Coverage - Tim Burke
UFC 148: Forrest Griffin Vs. Tito Ortiz Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 148: Cung Le Vs. Patrick Cote Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 148: Silva Vs. Sonnen II Staff Picks And Predictions - Tim Burke
UFC 148 Video: Anderson Silva's 'Coach' Steven Seagal Spars With Feijao Cavalcante - Nate Wilcox
UFC 148: Can Demian Maia Revitalize His Career At Welterweight? - Fraser Coffeen
UFC 148: Cody McKenzie 'Cowboy Is Just A Dumb Jock' - Steph Daniels
UFC 148 Preview: Rewatching Anderson Silva Vs. Chael Sonnen I - Josh Nason
UFC 148: Chael Sonnen's Mean Street Pizza Raffling Off Signed Controversial T-Shirt - KJ Gould
UFC 148: Dong Hyun Kim Vs. Demian Maia Dissection - Dallas Winston
Bad Boy Presents Bloody Elbow Radio - Episode 182: Vinny Magalhaes, UFC 148 Preview - Matt Bishop
UFC 148: Vinny Magalhaes Says 'Chael Sonnen Can Submit Anderson Silva' - Scott Haber
UFC 148: Cung Le Was Hand Picked For His Role In Upcoming Tarantino Production - Steph Daniels
UFC 148 Preview: The Complete Judo Chops Of Anderson Silva - Fraser Coffeen
UFC 148: Silva Vs. Sonnen Betting Lines - Tim Burke
UFC 148: Chad Mendes Vs. Cody McKenzie Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 148: Patrick Cote Says Michael Bisping Is A Crybaby - Steph Daniels
UFC 148: The Hall Of Fame Career Of Tito Ortiz - Fraser Coffeen
UFC 148 Judo Chop: How Chael Sonnen Out Struck Anderson Silva - Jack Slack
UFC 148 Video: Anderson Silva Vs. Chael Sonnen Full Countdown Show - Anton Tabuena
UFC 148 Gods of War: Anderson Silva - T.P. Grant
UFC 148: Anderson Silva Vs. Chael Sonnen Rematch Almost Didn't Happen - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 148 Video: Anderson Silva Vs. Chael Sonnen By The Numbers - Anton Tabuena
FREE $100 UFC 148 Kountermove Fantasy Cash Tourney - Steph Daniels
UFC 148 Video: Anderson Silva Vs. Chael Sonnen 2 - It's Personal - Anton Tabuena
UFC 148 Judo Chop: Beating Anderson Silva - Jack Slack