UFC on FX 5: Josh Neer vs. Justin Edwards Head-to-Toe Breakdown

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Josh Neer and Justin Edwards are set to meet in the 170-pound division when they throwdown at UFC on FX this weekend.

Neer is a long-time veteran of the sport and has faced everyone. Edwards is newer to the game, but has shown good promise.

Here is a head-to-toe breakdown of their fight on the FX main card.

Striking

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Josh Neer has some pretty good striking ability and a solid chin that allows him to throw hands in high volume. Of his 33 career wins, 17 have come by knockout, including stoppages against Blas Avena and T.J. Waldburger.

Justin Edwards is more of a ground fighter and only possesses one career knockout, which came in his MMA debut against Josh Rafferty. Since then, he has not shown vast improvement in his standup.

Neer definitely has the better boxing and standup.

Edge: Neer

Wrestling

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Neither man is a decorated wrestler, but both definitely possess takedowns and wrestling ability in terms of MMA.

Edwards used takedowns and wrestling in his bout against Jorge Lopez. His defensive wrestling is not the greatest, but it is sufficient.

Neer is another guy who has takedowns in his arsenal, but they are nothing like the power takedowns of an amateur wrestler. He likes to stand and bang and uses his takedown defense as his best wrestling weapon.

Edge: Push 

Grappling/Submissions

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Both men are Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belts, but there is a definite difference in submission grappling.

Justin Edwards has won five of his seven total victories via submission. Four of those five wins have come by guillotine choke, and all of them in the minor league, including one against UFC veteran Dan Stittgen.

Meanwhile, Josh Neer has 12 submission wins under his belt. These wins have come over the likes of Duane Ludwig (guillotine choke), Mac Danzig (triangle choke) and Melvin Guillard (triangle choke).

Upon examination, while the submission game is close, I believe Neer holds the advantage.

Edge: Neer

Prediction

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Come fight night, I believe we will have a decent fight on our hands.

I expect Neer to make this a boxing match, while I think Edwards will look to take this fight to the ground.

However, wherever the fight goes, I think Neer will beat Edwards.

Edwards has a tough chin, but Neer throws punches in bunches that wear opponents out. I think he will eventually wear Edwards out and earn a referee stoppage.

Prediction: Neer def. Edwards via knockout