Strikeforce Challengers 15 Preview

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Welterweights
Damian Douglas vs. Wayne Phillips

The Matchup: This is a clash between 170-pound prospects, both with much-valuable Challengers series experience under their belts.

Douglas comes off his Challengers debut, a 46-second submission of Joe Schilling. Phillips is 2-0 in Challengers, with a nice armbar win over Eric Lawson and a strange decision win over Fernando Bettega, which was announced as a loss for him initially.

Phillips is naturally bigger and his striking is raw at this point, but he is durable and game. Douglas should have the advantage striking, especially if Phillips leaves openings closing the gap or trades in high-output exchanges.

Sometimes, in fights at this level, the best gauge is each guy’s competition and how he has lost. Phillips is a product of the American Kickboxing Academy who once suffered three consecutive losses to pretty good competition, all via decision.

Since then, he has put together two wins in Challengers, and that is the sign of a fighter who is going to be tough to beat. Douglas has faced inferior competition in netting three wins in his first four starts.

The Pick: Phillips might hit some rough spots standing, but his ability to stay in there and make adjustments should serve him well en route to a late submission or stoppage win.

Jason Probst may be reached at jasonp@sherdog.com or twitter.com/jasonprobst.