Evan Dunham plans on breaking down and submitting Efrain Escudero at UFC Fight Night 20

Props: USA Today

Quoteworthy:

"I think he's going to come out and try to test my chin, that's for sure — because I'm sure he got a little bit of confidence from that last fight — instead of just coming out and going for the takedown ... I could see him trying take me down and grind me out, but honestly, I don't think he can hold me down even if he gets me down. I watched his fight with Miller and I watched his fight Felipe, and a couple of his older fights. I've got a good idea of his wrestling abilities and his hands. It's nothing I haven't seen before. I think I have a little bit better movement than he does. I don't feel I'm as stiff as he is, you know? I just feel that I'm able to move and flow a little bit better than he is on the ground and on the feet. My whole philosophy is to go in there and break him down mentally and physically. Make him make a mistake, and capitalize on that mistake. Whether it is leaving his neck out or his arm out or putting his hands a little too low, I plan on capitalizing. So yeah, I definitely think I can submit him."

Undefeated rising star Evan Dunham breaks down his upcoming 155-pound scrap against TUF 8 champion and fellow undefeated lightweight Efrain Escudero. Dunham wasted little time making a name for himself inside the Octagon by demolishing Per Ecklund in his Zuffa debut at UFC 95: "Sanchez vs. Stevenson" in early 2009 and then outlasting Marcus Aurelio at UFC 102: "Couture vs. Nogueira" to score a split decision victory last August. A win over Escudero would undoubtedly leapfrog him into bigger opportunities — and some very stiff competition. Does he have the skills to do it?