(Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports)
The Prelim Breakout Star is a once per event article that helps fans get to know those who will be entertaining them from the undercard. The intention of the article is not to bring attention the most talented guy on the preliminary card, but rather one that the common fan may have overlooked or underestimated.
It’s hard to imagine a man that has entertained multitudes of people and put together several “Fight of the Night” performances would be a relative unknown. However, that’s exactly where this week’s Prelim Breakout Star finds himself. In addition, this fight may have greater stakes than simply a win bonus.
Fabio Maldonado
Affiliation – Team Nogueira
From – Sao Paulo, Brazil
Height – 6’1”
Weight – 205 lbs (Light Heavyweight)
Record – 18-6 (1-3 UFC)
What makes him impressive
If asked for his most impressive attribute, many would jump to Maldonado's stand up game. Why not? He has a stellar boxing career that left him undefeated after 22 matches, 21 of which he finished. Since stepping away from boxing in the summer of 2010, his hands have continued to get better, while he’s worked to compile a more complete MMA skill set, which now includes a Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt.
Although he often wows the crowds with his fists, it’s his face that has drawn the most glaring reviews as of late. After wars with Kyle Kingsbury and Igor Pokrajac, he took a savage beating at the hands of ever-rising Glover Teixeira. While this wasn’t his best day offensively, his chin’s ability to absorb blows begged for comparisons to Roy Nelson.
Why he’s been overlooked
Three straight losses in the current Zuffa climate is enough to send the majority packing. So even though Maldonado has been fortunate enough to stick around, he likely isn’t gaining a lot of notoriety in the process. However, the chalked up losses don’t tell the story of razor-sharp decisions and all-out brawls that have left a lasting impression on anyone who has seen one of his fights.
What makes this a good matchup
Roger Hollett grew up training under his pro-kickboxer father, Ralph Hollett. He’s shown in past fights that he has a fair deal of confidence in his hands. If he decides to try to show off those shots, he’s likely to find himself outmatched by the speed and technique of Maldonado’s striking. Not to mention, he’ll exhaust himself trying to knock out a granite chin.
Daniel Vreeland is a writer (PrelimPicker) and teacher with an avid love for martial arts. He has practiced jiu jitsu and submission grappling under and next to many top names including Royce Gracie, Rousimar Palhares, Murilo Bustamante and Marco Alvan. He has placed in multiple NAGA grappling tournaments and currently trains under black belt Dave Roy in Amherst, MA.
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