Who Should You Know?: Nick Catone (MMA: Edition 4)

My 1st 2 articles, i went with a couple of MMA vets with big wins in Pyle and Chonan, my 3rd article, I went with a rising star with limited experience and tough losses in Sokoudjou, but now it's time to feature an undefeated "newbie." Nick Catone is that "newbie."

Catone doesn't have a well known victory under his belt. He doesn't have a well known camp backing him up, nor does he have much credentials except a championship in a little known organization, but he does have a multiple fight contract and his debut against the last ultimate fighter winneron the undercard of the event holding the "Biggest Fight in MMA History."

Catone, debuted and had 2 fights rather quickly, debuting at Realty Fighting 15 with a quick submission in 1:23 of the 1st round over Dan Karnbauer in May 2007 and Cage Fury Fighting Championships in June 2007, with a decision victory over another relatively unknown John Howard (10-3) who was 6-0 at the and Catone handed his 1st loss. After that, he fought all his fights in Ring of Combat, where he currently owns the Ring of Combat Middleweight Title. Catone has had 4 fights in Ring of Combat, all 4 between Oct 2007 through June 2008. All 4 fights, the 1st was a rear naked choke submission within a minute of the 1st round (Dan Whalen).  and the other 3? TKO in 1:08 in the 1st (Ben Knight), TKO in 2:27 in the 1st (Mitch Whitese), and TKO in 4:45 in the 1st (Eric Tavares). 

Granted, Catone hasn't fought any one with a real name as of yet, but other than 1 fight, he has yet to get out of the 1st round. I think thats speaks for itself. Now Catone takes on TUF 7 Winner Amir Sadollah who is now 1-0 professionally by winning the Finale against C.B. Dollaway and is now in the Xtreme Couture camp.

Here is what Amir had to say about Nick Catone I found over on Fanhouse.com "I know a little bit about Catone; from what I understand he's a good wrestler and a good jiu-jitsu guy, a strong guy, real tough. But I'm not counting anything out. He may have worked on his stand up. He may be a K-1 Level kickboxer. We'll see."

Catone will be fighting an uphill battle just stepping into the octagon vs Amir, who essentially has the UFC fans and a great camp behind them, but one can easily say that he will be in his very own Ultimate Fighter Finale, taking on the latest winner of the show. He can come in and prove that he belongs and earn some good fights with his new contract, but win or lose, he has made it to the UFC, a feat in itself. Keep an eye on him, win or lose... Regardless, this fight will be the biggest fight of his career at UFC 91.