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(Editor's Note: Nick Ring is unable to compete and this fight is now cancelled)
In a Middleweight fight at UFC 154: St. Pierre vs. Condit, Constantinos Philippou (11-2(1) MMA; 4-1 UFC) faces Nick Ring (13-1 MMA; 3-1 UFC). This is the second fight on the main PPV card. The UFC 154 PPV airs this Saturday night, November 17, with the main card beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT.
Interesting battle here between two solid Middleweights looking to break out. Both Ring and Philippou have had good success in the UFC, with only 1 loss each. Yet neither man has been able to really establish himself as a contender yet. This is a golden opportunity for both. With big crowds expected for the GSP return, a highlight reel win here would go a long way.
How do these two stack up?
Philippou: 32 years old | 5'11" | 73" reach
Ring: 33 years old | 6'1" | 74" reach
What have these two done recently?
Philippou: W - Riki Fukuda (UD) | W - Court McGee (UD) | W - Jared Hamman (KO)
Ring: W - Court McGee (UD) | L - Tim Boetsch (UD) | W - James Head (Sub)
How did these two get here?
Costa Philippou trains out of the Serra-Longo gym, though his emphasis is definitely on the Longo side of the equation. Philippou is a specialist, using his boxing to get the wins in the UFC. He's never been stopped, and is a gritty, tough fighter, as he showed in his UFC 148 outing against Fukuda. Philippou also has jiu jitsu experience, though has not yet shown it inside the Octagon.
More on UFC 154: St. Pierre vs. Condit
Nick "The Promise" Ring is a TUF fighter from Team Ortiz. There, he defeated eventual winner McGee, but had to leave the show due to injury. He's since won an official fight against McGee as well (though the decision was not without controversy) making him the somewhat uncrowned TUF champion. His lone loss came against Boetsch, where Ring struggled with the strength advantage. The Canadian fighter has experience working with GSP at Tristar Gym.
Why should you care?
I admit, this could be a bit dull, but I tend to enjoy Philippou's style. A hot Canadian crowd could add some extra excitement here as well.
More UFC 154 preview content from Bloody Elbow:
UFC 154: GSP vs. Condit fight card
UFC 154 staff picks and predictions - Tim Burke
Johny Hendricks vs. Martin Kampmann Dissection - Dallas Winston
Tom Lawlor vs. Francis Carmont Dissection - Dallas Winston
Nick Ring vs. Costa Philippou Dissection - Dallas Winston
Mark Hominick vs. Pablo Garza Dissection - Dallas Winston
FX Prelims Card Dissections - Dallas Winston
Facebook Prelims Card Dissections - Dallas Winston
Bloody Elbow Radio: UFC 154 preview - Matt Bishop
Jack Slack's Cheat Sheet: Carlos Condit
UFC 154 betting lines - Tim Burke
Should GSP have had a tune up fight before Condit? - Brent Brookhouse
5 reasons I'm pumped for UFC 154 besides GSP - Nate Wilcox
GSP training traditional Muay Thai before UFC 154 - Fraser Coffeen
Video: UFC 154 pre-fight press conference
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