Fresh off UFC 266 last week, the octagon is back in the Apex with a six-fight main card for UFC Vegas 38 (well, maybe). In the main event is former light heavyweight title challenger Thiago Santos fighting the entertaining Johnny Walker. At lightweight, Alexander Hernandez was supposed to fight Leonardo Santos. With Santos dropping out the UFC signed Mike Breeden to take the fight on short notice.
Mike “Money” Breeden
Standing at 5’10″
Fighting at 155 lbs (lightweight)
32-years-old
Fighting out of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, US
Training out of Glory MMA & Fitness
A pro record of 10-3
8 KO/TKOs
How will Breeden fare in the UFC:
Even though Breeden lost his fight on the Contender Series to Anthony Romero last year, he made his way to the UFC. After that loss Breeden won his next/last two fights. He is 32 so it’s nice to see him signed now because if he was to lose on the regional scene one more time prior, we would never see him in the UFC. He probably won’t ever make any real waves in the promotion, but will put on some good fights.
There are three things certain when Breeden fights. He’s going to walk his opponent down, he will let his hands go, and he will take damage. When getting tagged Breeden will walk forward and get off his own offense. He does have a solid chin and takes a lot of unnecessary shots to the head. Checking leg kicks is a big concern as well taking a lot of damage to his legs. When Breeden does press forward and press guys against the cage you will always see him throw his hands in combinations and attack the body-head perfectly. He throws in a lot of different patterns and uses a lot of feints but his flat movement and his slower speed are gonna hold him back.
Breeden has the gas tank, power, output, pressure, takedown defense, and incredible toughness to give the guys at the bottom of the division problems. He will probably split wins and losses in the UFC and no matter who he fights he’s going to bring it.
Striking: B-
Kickboxing: C+
Clinch: B-
Wrestling: C
Grappling: C-
Striking Defense: C-
Takedown Defense: B-
Cardio: B+
Biggest Strength: Output
Biggest Weakness: Striking defense
How he matches up with Hernandez:
Everyone can agree that Hernandez hasn’t been the same since his loss to Donald Cerrone in 2019. He had an uneventful fight with Francisco Trinaldo, lost to Drew Dober, beat a lower-level Chris Gruetzemacher, and lost to Thiago Moisés. Breeden may be better than Gruetzemacher but he loses to the other three no doubt. Hernandez is a good fighter early but tends to slow as the fight goes on, and Breeden could capitalize. Hernandez still has a significant speed, strength, and athletic advantage. Breeden’s only chance seems to be in the late rounds but I’m predicting either Hernandez to end it early or win two rounds.
