Preview: UFC Fight Night 175 ‘Smith vs. Rakic’ Prelims

Featherweights

Alex Caceres (16-12) vs. Kevin Croom (21-12)

ODDS: N/A

After a rough start to his UFC career, Caceres has managed to remain on the UFC roster for nearly a decade. “Bruce Leeroy” has all the hallmarks of a fighter who got into this sport young and racked up a ton of experience: He can hold his own anywhere and rarely gets blown out in a fight, but there is little in terms of a round-winning strategy. If anything, Caceres is usually content to just go along with whatever fight his opponent is trying to impose. That made for an interesting fight on paper against Caceres’ original opponent: kickboxing prospect Giga Chikadze. However, with Chikadze out as a late withdrawal, Caceres draws an easier opponent in Croom. While Caceres was slated to be a veteran test for Chikadze, no such dynamic is at play here, as Croom is a well-seasoned competitor with more than 30 fights to his name. “The Hard-Hitting Hillbilly” should be aggressive enough to keep it fun and make it an entertaining sprint, but Caceres—the better fighter wherever the action goes—figures to handle the promotional newcomer. The pick is Caceres via second-round submission.

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