UFC on FOX 4: August 4, 2012 Staples Center in Los Angeles, California UFC Flyweight Contender Ulysses Gomez (-175) Profile: The winner of the first-ever Tachi Palace Fights flyweight title, Ulysses Gomez (9-2) has also fought at bantamweight and made a name for himself with his famous training partners throughout the years. The 29-year-old California native has trained with Marc Laimon since high school and helped him start the Cobra Kai Academy in Las Vegas. His wrestling coach was former UFC fighter Tony DeSouza, who played a major role in helping him develop his grappling skills, leading to seven submissions among his nine wins. Gomez has a rare physicality that will make the flyweight division in the UFC very interesting when he battles other top 125-pounders. UFC Flyweight Contender John Moraga (+145) Profile: 10-1 prospect John Moraga makes his UFC debut with an air of the unknown. He has solid wrestling as part of a decent fighting background that also includes five submission wins over his opponents. However, this 125-pounder is still a bit of a mystery. His wrestling and veteran training partners out of Phoenix such as Ryan Bader aside, Moraga should be very motivated to make a name for himself on the big stage in the young UFC flyweight division. Opening UFC on FOX 4 Odds Analysis: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas has made Gomez a -175 favorite (bet $175 to win $100) against Moraga, who opened as a +145 underdog (bet $100 to win $145) according to the MMA odds. Gomez has faced much better competition during his MMA career than Moraga, who earned his first six wins in the Rage in the Cage promotion. Moraga’s lone loss that ended his winning streak came against TUF 14 winner John Dodson, easily his toughest opponent until now. Gomez, on the other hand, earned a win in Bellator as a bantamweight to go along with his vast TPF experience and earlier appearances in the Palace Fighting Championship. He seems more than ready to step up into the UFC Octagon and make his debut a memorable one.
