Neither fighter is currently ranked at middleweight on the USA Today/BE Consensus Rankings, but a couple of rankers have Simpson on their lists and a win here might earn a couple more. This is only Schafer's second fight at middleweight, but a win over a solid veteran would see him earn some consideration at least. This middleweight UFC 136 fight will be on the preliminary card, which will be streamed live on Facebook. The Facebook stream begins at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.
How do these two stack up?
Schafer: 34 years old | 6'3" | 76.5" reach
Simpson: 37 years old | 6'0" | 73" reach
What have these two done recently?
Schafer: W - Chris Albandia (SUB) | L - Jason Brilz (UD) | L - Ryan Bader (UD)
Simpson: W - Brad Tavares (UD) | W - Mario Miranda (UD) | L - Mark Munoz (UD)
How did these two get here?
Eric "Red" Schafer first entered the UFC in 2006 as a light heavyweight, and won his debut bout quickly by arm-triangle. He faced a massive step up in competition for his next two bouts against Michael Bisping and Stephan Bonnar, and dropped both of them by TKO. After two wins on the regional circuit he was brought back at UFC Fight Night 15 where he submitted Houston Alexander, and he followed that up with a TKO win over Antonio Mendes. Two decision losses in a row to Ryan Bader and Jason Brilz ended his second stint in the organization though. After a long layoff, a drop to middleweight, and a quick win in a regional bout, Schafer was brought in to replace Jason "Mayhem" Miller when he was pulled from the bout for Ultimate Fighter duty and gets a new lease on UFC life at 185 pounds.
Aaron "A-Train" Simpson started his Zuffa career in the WEC, where his 18 second knockout of David Avellan at WEC 36 made quite an impression. Once the WEC middleweight fighters were absorbed into the UFC Simpson carried on winning, taking three victories in a row over increasingly strong competition. He finally met his match at the The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale though, and his name was Chris Leben. Leben handed Simpson his first career loss via TKO, and Simpson also dropped his next matchup against good friend and fellow wrestler Mark Munoz. He was able to rebound with two decision wins over Mario Miranda and Brad Tavares, and will look to continue his winning streak here.
Why should you care?
Schafer has always had trouble with good wrestlers, and Simpson definitely qualifies there. It will be interesting to see if having a size advantage for once will help Schafer in his quest to stay in the UFC.
You can catch more UFC 136 preview content from Bloody Elbow after the jump.
UFC 136 Judo Chop: The Striking of Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard - Fraser Coffeen
UFC 136 Preview - Melvin Guillard Gunning for Knockout Bonus - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136: Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 136 Video - Bruce Buffer: 'You Can't Announce the Way I Announce If You're Not Into It' - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III - Live Weigh-In Video and Results - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136 Video: Frankie Edgar Says Belt Proves He Belongs at Lightweight - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III - Bloody Elbow Staff Predictions
UFC 136 Preview: Melvin Guillard Says Joe Lauzon Folds Under Pressure - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136: Chael Sonnen Denies Gameplanning for Brian Stann - Mike Fagan
UFC 136: Frankie Edgar Talks Gray Maynard, Jose Aldo - Mike Fagan
UFC 136: Melvin Guillard vs. Joe Lauzon Dissection - Dallas Winston
Bad Boy Presents Bloody Elbow Radio - Episode 87: UFC 136 Preview
UFC 136: Leonard Garcia vs. Nam Phan Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 136: Time Aplenty for Chael Sonnen Despite Competition for Contention - Leland Roling
UFC 136: Edgar vs. Maynard III Betting Lines - Tim Burke
UFC 136: Spike TV Preliminary Card Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 136: Did Promotion Need More Chael Sonnen and Brian Stann? - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136: Jose Aldo's Second Chance to Destroy Foolish Assumptions - Leland Roling
UFC 136: A Running Diary of Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard II - Mike Fagan
UFC 136 Pre-Fight Press Conference Video and Updates - Tim Burke
UFC State of the Union: UFC 136 and the Lightweight Division - Fraser Coffeen
Countdown to UFC 136 Video
UFC 136: Melvin Guillard's Continuing Quest for a Title Shot - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136 Preview: Looking Back at Edgar vs. Maynard 2 Highlights and Reaction - Brent Brookhouse
UFC 136: Facebook Undercard Dissection - Dallas Winston
UFC 136: Dana White Video Blog, Day 1