Thomas Petersen
The Train
USA
Lasts 92 seconds in Abu Dhabi
Petersen lost to Valter Walker via submission (calf slicer) at 1:32 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
You could see the frustration on Petersen's face immediately upon tapping. Going up against an opponent who entered with four straight wins via heel hook, Thomas certainly knew he had to make sure he protected his lower legs at all costs, and he was unable to do so. Petersen has a background in wrestling, but he's never really put those skills to use inside the Octagon, and his striking hasn't improved much over the years. The end result is that the Minnesota native has alternated losses and wins in his first seven UFC bouts.
You could see the frustration on Petersen's face immediately upon tapping. Going up against an opponent who entered with four straight wins via heel hook, Thomas certainly knew he had to make sure he protected his lower legs at all costs, and he was unable to do so. Petersen has a background in wrestling, but he's never really put those skills to use inside the Octagon, and his striking hasn't improved much over the years. The end result is that the Minnesota native has alternated losses and wins in his first seven UFC bouts.
Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Opportunity awaits in Abu Dhabi
Petersen will take on Valter Walker in a heavyweight matchup at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 25, Marcel Dorff of Heavy on Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Peterson has alternated wins and losses through seven UFC appearances, most recently winning a majority decision over Guilherme Pat in April. He'll now head overseas to face a surging heavyweight in Walker who has four consecutive wins via submission. Petersen does have a highly respectable takedown defense of 87 percent, but even if he can keep things standing, he'll have to contend with five-inch height and four-inch reach disadvantages.
Peterson has alternated wins and losses through seven UFC appearances, most recently winning a majority decision over Guilherme Pat in April. He'll now head overseas to face a surging heavyweight in Walker who has four consecutive wins via submission. Petersen does have a highly respectable takedown defense of 87 percent, but even if he can keep things standing, he'll have to contend with five-inch height and four-inch reach disadvantages.
Gets right back in win column
Petersen defeating Guilherme Pat via majority decision (28-28, 29-27, 29-27) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
The final numbers for this fight were extremely lopsided. Petersen closed with a 164-25 edge in total strikes landed, in addition to 8:36 worth of control time. Yet, only 28 of those were deemed "significant," and the result was entirely up for grabs until a Petersen Round 3 knockdown led to a massively lopsided frame. In the end, it's nice to see Thomas win a fight in which he fails to land a takedown. That's not going to be the case on most nights, but it was here. The 31-year-old Minnesota native has alternated wins and losses in his first half-dozen UFC fights.
The final numbers for this fight were extremely lopsided. Petersen closed with a 164-25 edge in total strikes landed, in addition to 8:36 worth of control time. Yet, only 28 of those were deemed "significant," and the result was entirely up for grabs until a Petersen Round 3 knockdown led to a massively lopsided frame. In the end, it's nice to see Thomas win a fight in which he fails to land a takedown. That's not going to be the case on most nights, but it was here. The 31-year-old Minnesota native has alternated wins and losses in his first half-dozen UFC fights.
Facing Pat at UFC 272
Petersen is scheduled to fight Guilherme Pat at UFC Fight Night 272 in Las Vegas on April 4, Mike Heck of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Petersen will be on the hunt for redemption after falling to Vitor Petrino on Oct. 11 at UFC Fight Night 261. He'll be up against an opponent in Pat who emerged victorious in his first UFC bout Dec. 13 against Allen Frye.
Petersen will be on the hunt for redemption after falling to Vitor Petrino on Oct. 11 at UFC Fight Night 261. He'll be up against an opponent in Pat who emerged victorious in his first UFC bout Dec. 13 against Allen Frye.
Inconsistent ways continue
Petersen lost to Vitor Petrino via KO (punches) at 0:26 of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
ANALYSIS
While the result is not what he was hoping for, Petersen deserves credit for attempting to execute a solid game plan. Knowing Petrino has big power and questionable cardio, Petersen made it a point to try to get his wrestling game going. Of course, he failed on all eight of his attempts and was eventually knocked out early in Round 3, but Petrino was clearly slowing down, and two of the judges had the fight even entering the final frame, so he was making some headway. It ultimately wasn't enough, however. The definition of roster depth, the 30-year-old Minnesota native has alternated losses and wins in his first five UFC bouts.
While the result is not what he was hoping for, Petersen deserves credit for attempting to execute a solid game plan. Knowing Petrino has big power and questionable cardio, Petersen made it a point to try to get his wrestling game going. Of course, he failed on all eight of his attempts and was eventually knocked out early in Round 3, but Petrino was clearly slowing down, and two of the judges had the fight even entering the final frame, so he was making some headway. It ultimately wasn't enough, however. The definition of roster depth, the 30-year-old Minnesota native has alternated losses and wins in his first five UFC bouts.
Headed to Rio de Janeiro
Petersen will take on Vitor Petrino in a heavyweight matchup at UFC Rio de Janeiro on Oct. 11, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Petersen is an even 2-2 with the UFC, most recently picking up a win over Don'Tale Mayes in May. He'll now look to Petrino, who is set for just his second fight in the heavyweight division. Petersen will be at a slight disadvantage in terms of height and reach, but has the superior striking numbers, especially defensively. Both men employ a grappling-based approach, however, and Peterson happens to have the edge in takedown volume, as well as a perfect takedown defense. The latter will certainly be tested when the cage doors close.
Petersen is an even 2-2 with the UFC, most recently picking up a win over Don'Tale Mayes in May. He'll now look to Petrino, who is set for just his second fight in the heavyweight division. Petersen will be at a slight disadvantage in terms of height and reach, but has the superior striking numbers, especially defensively. Both men employ a grappling-based approach, however, and Peterson happens to have the edge in takedown volume, as well as a perfect takedown defense. The latter will certainly be tested when the cage doors close.