UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. de Ridder Preview

Robert Whittaker fires a jab at Kelvin Gastelum. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

The UFC returns to the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi with an outstanding Fight Night card. From start to finish, this card has been packed full of exciting matchups and top-level fighters all looking for a highlight-reel victory. In the co-main event, we’ll see two outstanding strikers face off inside the Octagon when former champion Petr Yan takes on the quickly rising Marcus McGhee. In the main event, perennial Middleweight contender Robert Whittaker will take on Dutch grappling ace Reinier de Ridder. First, we’ll take a look at select preliminary bouts, then break down the full main card.

Prelims

Muslim Salikhov vs. Carlos Leal

Muslim Salikhov blasts Song Kenan with a vicious spinning wheel kick. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Welterweight Bout

Muslim Salikhov: 21-5-0, 14 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Carlos Leal: 22-6-0, 11 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Salikhov has won three of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Francisco Trinaldo (28-9-0), Song Kenan (22-9-0), and Santiago Ponzinibbio (31-9-0). He holds the rank of Master of Sport in Wushu Sanda and a pro kickboxing record of 185-13 with 76 wins by knockout. He’s an incredibly dangerous striker, possessing solid power and excellent technical skills. Salikhov has an impressive arsenal of kicks, particularly his array of spinning attacks that he loves to throw. Training at the Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov School, he’s also very defensively sound, having defended 62% of significant strikes attempted on him in his promotional tenure. He is willing to grapple and averages just over one takedown landed per fifteen minutes, and will rain down devastating ground and pound when in top position. Salikhov is highly experienced and very tough to put away, always coming forward and looking to do damage throughout the fight.

Carlos Leal cracks Alex Morono with a powerful right hand. Credit: Ag. Fight.

Leal has won three of his last five bouts, with a UFC victory coming over Alex Morono (24-12-0). He is a dangerous striker with heavy power, excellent output, and solid wrestling. He throws everything with power and in combination, but won’t get sloppy, keeping his punches tight and straight. Leal is highly accurate, especially inside the pocket, and does a great job of varying his shots, damaging the head, legs, and body evenly. He’s a great counterstriker and has excellent head movement, but also has a very solid chin, always willing to eat a shot to land one. Training at Thai Brasil, he’s a well-rounded grappler with an excellent sprawl and great wrestling, able to land takedowns in open space. Leal has secured his last five victories via knockout and is always in pursuit of a finish. 

Bryce Mitchell vs. Said Nurmagomedov

Bryce Mitchell unloads a ground and pound elbow onto Edson Barboza. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Featherweight Bout

Bryce Mitchell: 17-4-0, 1 KO/TKO, 9 Sub.

Said Nurmagomedov: 18-4-0, 4 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

Mitchell has won two of his last five outings and has wins over #14 ranked Featherweight Dan Ige (19-10-0), Edson Barboza (24-12-0), and Andre Fili (24-12-0). He is a high-level grappler with dangerous submissions, landing, on average, over three takedowns per fifteen minutes in the UFC. He has a wrestling background and holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, typically getting the fight to the mat quickly. Mitchell has excellent top control on the ground and always pursues a finish, whether via ground and pound or a submission. Training at Barata MMA, he’s most dangerous early on, with eight of his nine submission victories coming in round one. On the feet, he’s in perpetual motion, cuts off the cage well, and has decent power in his hands. Mitchell has one of the three wins in UFC history via twister submission and can produce submissions from anywhere and any position.

Said Nurmagomedov submits Muin Gafurov with a power guillotine choke. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Nurmagomedov has won three of his last five fights, holding UFC victories over Douglas Silva de Andrade (29-6-0), Cody Stamann (21-8-1), and Muin Gafurov (20-6-0). Don’t let the last name fool you; he’s a kick-first striker who loves to throw wild, spinning attacks. He prefers power to volume and can produce a flash knockout at any time. Although Nurmagomedov throws some unorthodox attacks, he always remains composed, keeps his guard high, and maintains excellent footwork. Training at Fight Club Akhmat, he’s averaging over one takedown landed and one submission attempted per fifteen minutes, utilizing his flashy striking to set up his grappling. Unsurprisingly, he has a wrestling base and is highly dangerous with both his ground and pound and submission game. Nurmagomedov has secured nine of his ten finish victories in the first round and is very dangerous early on.

Main Card

#10 Nikita Krylov vs. #13 Bogdan Guskov

Nikita Krylov controls Volkan Oezdemir from top position. Credit: MMA Junkie.

Light Heavyweight Bout

Nikita Krylov: 30-10-0, 12 KO/TKO, 16 Sub.

Bogdan Guskov: 17-3-0, 14 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Krylov has won three of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over #9 ranked Light Heavyweight Volkan Oezdemir (20-8-0), #12 ranked Light Heavyweight Johnny Walker (21-9-0), and Ryan Spann (23-11-0). He holds the rank of Master of Sport in Kyokushin Karate, Hand-to-Hand Combat, and Submission Fighting. He’s always willing to eat a shot to land one, regularly brawling and getting into exchanges in the pocket. Krylov has a solid arsenal of kicks in his repertoire, but he often favors his hands, regularly unleashing powerful combinations. Training with Raty Team, he always pushes a heavy pace, throwing with power and volume, and has outlanded his last eight opponents. He’s averaging over two takedowns landed per fifteen minutes, has smothering top control, and is always working for a finish. Krylov rarely sees the judges’ scorecards, securing 28 of his 30 victories via finish, with 23 of those victories coming in round one.

Bogdan Guskov stuns Ryan Spann with a potent right hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Guskov has won four of his last five outings, with UFC victories coming over Zac Pauga (7-4-0), Billy Elekana (7-2-0), and Ryan Spann (23-11-0). He’s a heavy-handed striker who comes out guns blazing. He applies heavy forward pressure and always looks for a knockout, throwing every shot with fight-ending intentions. Training at GOR MMA, Guskov will throw the occasional kick but does most of his damage in the pocket, unloading heavy combinations. He has power in both hands but is seemingly always looking to set up his right, constantly firing devastating overhands. He has 12 finishes in the first round and has only gone to a single decision, as well as only seeing the third round once in his career. Guskov tends to headhunt and is willing to eat a shot to land one, but he has good head movement and moves in and out of the pocket very efficiently.

#9 Asu Almabayev vs. Jose Ochoa

Asu Almabayev looks to lock in a rear naked choke on Jose Johnson. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Flyweight Bout

Asu Almabayev: 21-3-0, 3 KO/TKO, 9 Sub.

Jose Ochoa: 8-1-0, 7 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Almabayev has won four of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Matheus Nicolau (19-6-1), Jose Johnson (16-10-0), and Ode’ Osbourne (13-8-0). He’s exceptionally well-rounded, with a dominant wrestling style and flashy striking abilities. He’ll constantly throw spinning attacks on the feet and can land damage at range or in the pocket. Almabayev has landed 18 takedowns in just five UFC fights and has excellent chain wrestling, able to find takedowns from anywhere. Training at DAR Pro Team, he’s an efficient grappler, never wasting energy or telegraphing his shots or transitions. He has smothering top control, rarely allowing his opponent to throw up any offense or escape as he pursues a finish. The majority of Almabayev’s finishes have come after round one, and he tends to heat up as the fight continues.

Jose Ochoa finishes Cody Durden with ground and pound shots. Credit: Ag. Fight.

Ochoa has won four of his last five bouts, holding a UFC victory over Cody Durden (17-8-1). He’s a powerful, shifty striker with an excellent arsenal of attacks and chokes. He comes out guns blazing, typically firing numerous kicks from range before blitzing into the pocket to let his hands go. Ochoa has excellent distance management and head movement, regularly looking to slip and counter his opponent’s punches. He does a great job of varying his shots, attacking the head and body with equal tenacity. Training at Chute Boxe, he won’t typically pursue grappling exchanges but has excellent takedown defense and lethal submissions, often pursuing chokes while standing. Ochoa has only gone to a decision once, finishing all of his victories in the first or second round.

Shara Magomedov vs. Marc-André Barriault

Shara Magomedov lands a powerful left hook on Armen Petrosyan. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Middleweight Bout

Shara Magomedov: 15-1-0, 12 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Marc-André Barriault: 17-9-0, 11 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Magomedov has won four of his last five outings and has UFC victories over Bruno Silva (23-13-0), Antonio Trocoli (12-5-0), and Michal Oleksiejczuk (20-9-0). He’s a devastating, diverse striker with a fantastic arsenal of kicks. He’s constantly moving and switching stances, never remaining in one spot for long, and moving in and out of the pocket efficiently. Magomedov is excellent at range, peppering his opponent with lead leg attacks before blitzing in to throw bombs. Training at GOR MMA, he rarely initiates grappling exchanges, often accepting position on his back and throwing strikes. He regularly looks to land spinning attacks, particularly elbows and backfists. Magomedov has scored three finishes in less than a minute and always comes out guns blazing.

Marc-André Barriault finishes Bruno Silva with brutal ground and pound strikes. Credit: Coast Reporter.

Barriault has won two of his last five fights, with UFC victories coming over Julian Marquez (9-6-0), Jordan Wright (13-5-0), and Eryk Anders (17-8-0). He’s a brawler, preferring to hang in the pocket and get the job done with his hands. He has solid power, throws in combination, and regularly mixes in damaging leg kicks in his constant pursuit of a finish. When the fight hits the ground, Barriault has shown decent top control and heavy ground and pound, constantly looking to posture up and rain down shots. He has solid defensive wrestling, having defended 67% of takedowns attempted on him in the UFC. Training at Kill Cliff FC, he can push a heavy pace, averaging about 70 significant strikes landed in his last five victories. Barriault is always dangerous, but has secured seven of his eleven knockouts in round one and is at his best early on.

#3 Petr Yan vs. #12 Marcus McGhee

Petr Yan unloads a powerful uppercut on Deiveson Figueiredo. Credit: MMA Mania.

Bantamweight Bout

Petr Yan: 18-5-0, 7 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Marcus McGhee: 10-1-0, 8 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Yan has won two of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over #4 ranked Bantamweight Cory Sandhagen (18-5-0), #5 ranked Bantamweight Song Yadong (22-8-1), and #6 ranked Bantamweight Deiveson Figueiredo (24-5-1). He’s a well-rounded fighter, comfortable wherever the fight goes, possessing excellent striking and wrestling. He’s highly technical and precise on his feet, doing a great job of mixing kicks into combinations and never telegraphing his shots. Training at BK Arkhangel Mikhail, Yan never slows down, always pursuing a finish and throwing with maximum power and speed. He can push a crazy pace for 25 minutes and has fantastic cardio, landing, on average, about 123 significant strikes in his last five wins. He has excellent takedowns and top control, constantly throwing brutal ground and pound. Yan has faced nothing but the best in his UFC tenure and has gone toe-to-toe with five former or current champions.

Marcus McGhee blasts Jonathan Martinez with a left hand. Credit: MMA Mania.

McGhee is on a six-fight win streak, holding UFC victories over Jonathan Martinez (19-6-0), Gaston Bolaños (8-5-0), and Journey Newson (10-5-0). He’s a dangerous striker with big-time power and solid grappling. He’s highly explosive but remains technical throughout, throwing his shots straight and tight without telegraphing. McGhee has great footwork and head movement, constantly coming forward and pressuring his opponent. Training at the MMA LAB, his striking sets up his grappling, and he has excellent takedown timing and defense, having defended all takedowns attempted on him in the UFC. In top position, he’s capable of producing quick submissions but also has heavy ground and pound. Six of McGhee’s nine finishes came after the first round, and he tends to heat up as the fight continues.

#5 Robert Whittaker vs. #13 Reinier de Ridder

Robert Whittaker uncorks a stiff left hand on Ikram Aliskerov. Credit: MMA Mania.

Middleweight Bout

Robert Whittaker: 27-8-0, 11 KO/TKO, 5 Sub.

Reinier de Ridder: 20-2-0, 5 KO/TKO, 13 Sub.

Whittaker has won three of his last five outings and has UFC victories over #7 ranked Middleweight Jared Cannonier (18-8-0), #11 ranked Middleweight Paulo Costa (15-4-0), and #12 ranked Middleweight Marvin Vettori (19-9-1). He is an excellent, technical striker in perpetual motion, constantly bouncing and throwing everything in combination. Utilizing his karate background, he executes fantastic lead leg attacks and throws all his shots with precision and accuracy. Training at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu SG, Whittaker varies his shots well, attacking the head and body evenly and never overextending or getting sloppy. He’s elusive, never staying in one spot for long, and always keeps his head off the centerline. He does an excellent job mixing kicks into combinations, making them extremely hard to predict or see before they land. Whittaker has great cardiovascular endurance and remains composed throughout, easily able to maintain a heavy pace for 25 minutes.

Reinier de Ridder stuns Bo Nickal with a right hook. Credit: Yahoo Sports.

De Ridder has won four of his last five fights, with UFC victories over Gerald Meerschaert (37-19-0), Kevin Holland (28-14-0), and Bo Nickal (7-1-0). He’s a former ONE Championship Middleweight and Light Heavyweight champion and is an outstanding, dangerous grappler. He has an awkward striking style, remaining upright, fighting behind his jab, and throwing kicks at range before closing the distance. De Ridder is powerful in the clinch and constantly looks for body lock and trip takedowns, often from the opening bell. He has strong top control and continually attacks and improves in top position, fluidly moving from one position to another. He holds black belts in Judo and BJJ, utilizing ground and pound to wear down his opponent and create submission openings, typically pursuing chokes. De Ridder pushes a consistent pace throughout, but has found nine of his thirteen submissions in the first round and is most dangerous early on.

Best Bets

Guskov vs. Krylov Under 1.5 Rounds: This is an excellent matchup of two heavy-handed strikers. Both men are prolific finishers, having produced a combined 45 finishes in 60 fights. Neither man sees the judges’ scorecards often; nine of Guskov’s last ten outings didn’t reach the third round, and four of Krylov’s previous five fights ended in the first round. A victory would also be massively significant for either man, especially via a finish. Krylov has not won a fight since 2023, most recently being knocked out by Dominick Reyes, and needs a highlight reel win to regain momentum. For Guskov, this would easily be his highest-profile victory and a chance to enter the top ten at Light Heavyweight. I expect both men to be hunting for an early finish and to meet in the middle of the octagon to let their hands go. Regardless of who earns a victory in this matchup, I don’t expect it to last longer than one and a half rounds.

Shara Magomedov by KO/TKO: Another matchup of two dangerous scrappers, I’m looking forward to this one. Although both are strikers, they have very different styles. Barriault is more suited to a true brawl, constantly coming forward to unload heavy combinations and exchanging inside the pocket. Magomedov is a much more polished striker, remaining technical throughout and utilizing his distance management and arsenal of kicks to secure victory. Although he’s more comfortable fighting in a phone booth, Barriault has proven susceptible to knockouts, suffering two first-round KO losses in his last three appearances. With the footwork and movement of Magomedov, it’s unlikely Barriault will have his usual opportunities to blitz into the pocket and throw bombs, which he often relies on to get the job done. I expect Magomedov to maintain distance, constantly darting in and out of the pocket and keeping Barriault on the end of his punches. I anticipate Barriault struggling to maintain forward momentum while Magomedov picks him apart from range, until he finds a shot to put Barriault away and earns another knockout victory.

Robert Whittaker Moneyline: This is a fascinating matchup of two vastly different fighters. Whittaker is well-rounded but most comfortable on his feet, possessing excellent technical striking and power. De Ridder is more of a grappler, possessing awkward but powerful striking abilities, along with outstanding wrestling and submission skills. Both men have something to prove in this fight; Whittaker, coming off a brutal submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev, looks to show that he still belongs at the top of the division. De Ridder, on the other hand, is receiving his first big-name matchup in the UFC and has a chance to insert himself into the title conversation. Despite the loss to Chimaev, Whittaker has consistently demonstrated solid defensive grappling skills throughout his career, successfully defending 81% of the takedowns attempted against him during his UFC tenure. De Ridder has struggled in the past when unable to secure takedowns, particularly in his second fight with Anatoly Malykhin. After numerous rejected takedowns, de Ridder ultimately gassed himself out and was finished in the third round. I believe Whittaker can produce a similar result. If Whittaker can turn this into a striking battle, he has a clear advantage on his feet. I expect Whittaker to deny de Ridder’s takedowns early while controlling the pace and forcing de Ridder to the outside. As de Ridder’s pace slows, I anticipate Whittaker’s aggression to increase, turning up the heat on the feet and forcing de Ridder to strike with him. Ultimately, I expect Whittaker to keep the fight standing and earn a hard-fought victory on Saturday.

UFC 318 Preview

Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier face off inside the octagon during their second fight. Credit: MMA Fighting.

The UFC heads to the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, with an outstanding pay-per-view card. The entire card is full of top-level talent and outstanding matchups that are all sure to deliver this Saturday. In the co-main event, we’ll see two outstanding Middleweight strikers collide when Paulo Costa takes on Roman Kopylov. In the main event, we’ll witness the culmination of the incredible career of Dustin Poirier, finally receiving his rubber match with fellow legend, Max Holloway. We’ll take a look at a select few preliminary bouts, then preview the full main card.

Prelims

#10 Marvin Vettori vs. #11 Brendan Allen

Marvin Vettori cracks Paulo Costa with a stiff left hand. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Middleweight Bout

Marvin Vettori: 19-8-1, 2 KO/TKO, 9 Sub.

Brendan Allen: 24-7-0, 5 KO/TKO, 14 Sub.

Vettori has won two of his last five fights and has UFC victories over #8 ranked Middleweight Roman Dolidze (15-3-0), #13 ranked Middleweight Paulo Costa (14-4-0), and Jack Hermansson (24-9-0). He’s a hard-nosed scrapper who’s willing to engage in the fight anywhere. He has an outstanding chin and is willing to eat one to land one, regularly blitzing into the pocket to unload heavy combinations. Vettori has exceptional cardio, having gone five rounds six times in his UFC tenure, and pushes a consistent pace throughout. Training at American Top Team, he varies his attacks well, attacking the head, legs, and body with equal tenacity. He’s a solid grappler, averaging over one takedown landed per fifteen minutes and heavy top control. Vettori has gone the distance in all but two of his UFC appearances and always leaves everything inside the cage, landing, on average, 119 significant strikes in his last five outings.

Brendan Allen unloads a Superman punch on André Muniz. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Allen has won three of his last five bouts, holding UFC victories over Chris Curtis (32-12-0), Paul Craig (17-9-1), and Andre Muniz (24-7-0). He’s an excellent grappler with a lethal submission game and solid power in his hands. He’s always dangerous, whether on top or his back, constantly pursuing submissions and looking to finish the fight. Training at Kill Cliff FC, he’ll throw heavy ground and pound in top position, remaining active while looking for submission openings. He has solid striking to complement his grappling, possessing decent power in his hands and kicks and utilizing a boxing style when on his feet. He consistently maintains a high pace, has solid cardiovascular endurance, and can comfortably go five rounds. Allen has secured eleven of his fourteen submissions via rear-naked choke and is deadly if he can find his opponent’s neck.

#12 Kyler Phillips vs. Vinícius Oliveira

Kyler Phillips fires a head kick at Raulian Paiva. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Bantamweight Bout

Kyler Phillips: 12-3-0, 5 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Vinícius Oliveira: 22-3-0, 16 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Phillips has won three of his last five outings and has UFC victories over #5 ranked Bantamweight Song Yadong (22-8-1), Pedro Munhoz (20-10-0), and Raoni Barcelos (20-5-0). He’s an exceptionally fluid striker with an impressive grappling background. He has excellent footwork and is highly elusive, constantly entering and exiting the pocket without absorbing significant damage. Training at the MMA LAB, Phillips throws everything in combination, regularly mixing in kicks while continually changing levels and attacking at different angles. Averaging over two takedowns landed per fifteen minutes in the UFC, he’s an accomplished grappler, holding a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and California state championships in wrestling and Judo. He’s impressively explosive and quick, able to throw heavy or commit to strikes without telegraphing. Phillips has excellent cardio and pushes a heavy pace throughout, landing, on average, about 76 significant strikes in his last five fights.

Vinícius Oliveira lands a vicious flying knee on Bernardo Sopaj. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Oliveira is on a five-fight win streak, with UFC victories coming over Ricky Simón (22-6-0), Said Nurmagomedov (18-4-0), and Bernardo Sopaj (12-3-0). He’s a vicious, elusive striker with serious power in his hands and an unpredictable arsenal of attacks. He utilizes a very unorthodox stance and movement style, keeping his hands down and relying on his head movement and footwork to avoid damage. Oliveira typically remains at range, keeping his head off the centerline before entering the pocket to unload wild, looping hooks. He never telegraphs his next move, sometimes picking his shots and staying at range, and other times extending long punch combinations punctuated with heavy kicks. Training with Sombra Team MMA, he won’t typically initiate grappling exchanges but has shown outstanding takedown defense in the UFC and will not accept a position on his back. Thirteen of his sixteen knockouts have come in the first round, and he’s most dangerous early on, carrying his power throughout but often reducing his pace and footwork as the fight continues. 

Main Card

Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber

Michael Johnson blasts Alan Patrick with a brutal left hand. Credit: MMA Junkie.

Lightweight Bout

Michael Johnson: 24-19-0, 10 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Daniel Zellhuber: 15-2-0, 7 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Johnson has won two of his last five fights and holds UFC victories over #6 ranked Lightweight Dustin Poirier (30-9-0), Edson Barboza (24-12-0), and Tony Ferguson (26-11-0). He has been in the promotion since 2010 and is an alumnus of the 12th season of The Ultimate Fighter, with a background in collegiate wrestling. He’s fought a who’s who of the Lightweight division and is known for his solid wrestling skills and devastating punching power. Training at Kill Cliff FC, Johnson has blazing-fast hands and loves to get into the pocket and unload vicious, extended combinations. He has power in both hands and is always dangerous, with his best weapon being his straight punches. He has quality grappling skills, typically using them when he’s losing on the feet, but can land brutal ground and pound if he secures top position. Johnson has scored the second-most knockdowns in UFC Lightweight history (11) and is always in pursuit of a knockout.

Daniel Zellhuber fires a kick at the head of Esteban Ribovics. Credit: MMA Mania.

Zellhuber has won three of his last five bouts, with UFC victories coming over Lando Vannata (12-7-2), Francisco Prado (12-3-0), and Christos Giagos (20-12-0). He’s a lengthy striker with excellent boxing, speed, and power. He fights behind his jab, remaining patient and looking for openings to land damaging shots. Zellhuber has solid cardio and will remain technical throughout, pushing a consistent pace and often improving as the fight continues. Training at Xtreme Couture, he has excellent distance management and footwork, typically controlling the center of the cage for most of the fight. He won’t often initiate grappling exchanges, but he has a solid submission game, holding a black belt in BJJ, and has defended 94% of takedowns attempted on him in the UFC. Zellhuber is tied for the longest reach among active Lightweights and uses it well, constantly doing damage from range with long punches and kicks.

#11 Dan Ige vs. Patrício Pitbull

Dan Ige stuns Sean Woodson with a cracking left hand. Credit: MMA Mania.

Featherweight Bout

Dan Ige: 19-9-0, 7 KO/TKO, 5 Sub.

Patrício Pitbull: 36-8-0, 13 KO/TKO, 11 Sub.

Ige has won two of his last five outings and has UFC victories over Edson Barboza (24-12-0), Andre Fili (24-12-0), and Sean Woodson (13-2-1). He is a brawler with serious power inside the pocket and excellent technical boxing. He has great footwork and constantly varies his attacks, going to the head and body evenly. While Ige primarily uses his hands to land damage, he also possesses powerful kicks, often throwing them naked or at the end of combinations. Training at Xtreme Couture, he throws every shot with power and deadly intent, possessing one-shot knockout ability in both hands. He has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is willing to grapple, landing at least one takedown in more than half of his UFC victories. Ige has also demonstrated excellent defensive grappling skills and is consistently active on the ground, never staying in one spot for long.

Patrício Pitbull tags Yair Rodríguez with a right hook. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Pitbull has won three of his last five fights and is looking to score his first UFC victory. He’s a former Bellator Lightweight and Featherweight champion and is the Bellator record holder for the most fights, wins, title fights, wins in title fights, and finishes. Often considered the greatest Bellator fighter of all time, he’s a powerful, technical fighter with outstanding distance management and counterstriking skills. Pitbull does an excellent job of holding the center of the cage and forcing his opponent to the outside, not utilizing much elusive movement but always pressing forward. Training at Pitbull Brothers, he throws everything with power but won’t get sloppy or telegraph his strikes, often blitzing forward with looping hooks before quickly returning to range. Pitbull has fought for championships in fifteen of his last twenty fights and is comfortable anywhere the fight ends up.

#13 Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez

Kevin Holland secures an anaconda choke on Vicente Luque. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Welterweight Bout

Kevin Holland: 28-13-0, 13 KO/TKO, 10 Sub.

Daniel Rodriguez: 19-5-0, 9 KO/TKO, 4 Sub.

Holland has won three of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over #8 ranked Welterweight Joaquin Buckley (21-7-0), #9 ranked Middleweight Anthony Hernandez (14-2-0), and Vicente Luque (23-11-1). A wild scrapper who’s comfortable anywhere the fight goes, he’s always dangerous and can finish the fight anywhere. He’s an aggressive striker, throwing everything in combination with knockout intentions, and is always willing to brawl. Holland is lengthy and capable of fighting in the pocket or at range, but typically looks to crash into the pocket and unload combinations. Training at Travis Lutter BJJ, he’s a solid grappler, holding a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and landing, on average, about one takedown per fifteen minutes. He has solid top control and excellent submissions, particularly chokes, with seven of his nine submission victories coming via choke. Holland is one of the most active fighters in MMA, having fought 26 times in the UFC since 2018, earning ten post-fight bonuses during his tenure with the promotion.

Daniel Rodriguez clips Mike Perry with a powerful right hook. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Rodriguez has won two of his last five outings, holding UFC victories over Santiago Ponzinibbio (31-9-0), Tim Means (33-17-1), and Li Jingliang (19-9-0). He’s a technical Muay Thai striker who favors kicks over punches. He remains composed throughout the fight, fighting behind his jab and constantly pursuing a finish without getting sloppy. Training at 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu, Rodriguez has excellent movement and footwork, constantly attacking from different angles with a variety of strikes. He has solid kicks, regularly adding leg kicks to the end of punch combinations. He’s proven highly durable, constantly surviving in deep waters and finding his way back into fights. Rodriguez is unlikely to initiate grappling exchanges but has solid takedown defense and does an excellent job of getting back to his feet, where he’s most comfortable.

#13 Paulo Costa vs. #14 Roman Kopylov

Paulo Costa unloads a heavy right hand on Luke Rockhold. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Middleweight Bout

Paulo Costa: 14-4-0, 11 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Roman Kopylov: 14-3-0, 12 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Costa has won one of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Yoel Romero (16-7-0), Uriah Hall (18-11-0), and Luke Rockhold (16-6-0). He has outstanding punching power and pushes a heavy pace. Although he entered the UFC as a knockout artist, he can also punch with volume, landing, on average, about 95 significant strikes in his last five appearances. Costa has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and solid grappling skills, but rarely goes to the ground and hasn’t attempted a submission in the UFC. Training with Team Borracha, he is at his best when pressuring forward, throwing bombs and powerful kicks, especially to the body. He is more than willing to eat a shot to land one, absorbing an almost equal amount of significant strikes as he lands per minute. Costa slows as the fight continues, but will get more aggressive, throwing caution to the wind and taking more risks.

Roman Kopylov cracks Cesar Almeida with a vicious left hand. Credit: SportsBoom.

Kopylov has won four of his last five bouts, with UFC victories coming over Chris Curtis (32-12-0), Claudio Ribeiro (11-5-0), and César Almeida (7-1-0). He’s a sniper on his feet, using precision and power to dismantle his opponents. He won’t utilize much footwork but is constantly feinting and drawing reactions out of his opponents, opening up opportunities to land strikes. Kopylov does an excellent job of varying his shots, attacking the head and body evenly, and often mixing kicks into punch combinations. He never telegraphs shots or loads up, but throws everything with devastating power and can produce flash knockouts anytime. Training with Raty Team, he’s unlikely to initiate grappling exchanges, but he has fantastic takedown defense and has defended 87% of takedowns attempted on him in the UFC. Kopylov is exceptionally explosive, often touching his opponent with single shots before unleashing huge combinations.

#5 Max Holloway vs. #6 Dustin Poirier

Max Holloway rocks Justin Gaethje with a stiff right hand. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Lightweight Bout

Max Holloway: 26-8-0, 12 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Dustin Poirier: 30-9-0, 16 KO/TKO, 7 Sub.

Holloway has won three of his last five outings and has UFC victories over #3 ranked Featherweight Yair Rodríguez (21-5-0), #4 ranked Lightweight Justin Gaethje (26-5-0), and #4 ranked Featherweight Arnold Allen (20-3-0). One of the most respected fighters in the sport, he’s a fantastic striker capable of outputting astronomical volume. He pushes a heavy pace and remains technical throughout, fighting behind his jab and never wasting energy. Holloway has excellent distance management and footwork, remaining in perpetual motion and landing damage without receiving much in return. Training at Gracie Technics, he has a solid submission game and has defended 83% of takedowns attempted on him in the UFC, but he rarely goes to the ground. He’ll constantly look to counterstrike, slipping his opponent’s attacks before landing his own. Holloway has earned 13 post-fight bonuses in his UFC tenure and holds various records, including but not limited to: most significant strikes landed all-time (3457), most significant strikes landed in a single bout (445), and the second-most total fight time (8:02:43). 

Dustin Poirier lands a perfect right hook to knock out Benoît Saint Denis. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Poirier has won three of his last five fights, holding UFC victories over #4 ranked Lightweight Justin Gaethje (26-5-0), #7 ranked Lightweight Dan Hooker (24-12-0), and his current opponent, Max Holloway. He’s been in the UFC for over a decade and has established himself as one of the most exciting scrappers of all time. He pushes a heavy pace, is always willing to eat one to land one, and throws everything with purpose. Poirier has exceptional technical skills but is willing to exchange in the pocket and brawl, regularly throwing caution to the wind. He has excellent wrestling and a black belt in BJJ, complementing his striking abilities, and is landing, on average, over one takedown per fifteen minutes. Training at American Top Team, he’s highly durable and has excellent cardio, making him dangerous at all times. Poirier is one of the most accomplished Lightweights of all time, holding wins over five former UFC champions, has landed the third most significant strikes in Lightweight history (1268), and is tied for the most Lightweight knockout victories (9).

Best Bets

Johnson vs. Zellhuber to Not Go the Distance: This is an excellent matchup of an established veteran and a rising prospect. Although both are strikers, they have very different styles. Johnson favors his hands, constantly looking to close the distance and throw power punches. Zellhuber is a more technical and measured fighter, typically looking to utilize his length and kicks while fighting at range. Despite their differing styles, both will regularly get dragged into brawls, and both have impressive knockout power. Johnson and Zellhuber have also been exchanging barbs online and in press conferences for a few weeks, making both more likely to be hunting for a knockout. I expect this fight to get off to a quick start, with both men coming forward and letting their hands go. Each of these fighters is dangerous in their own right, and I believe either could secure a finish victory. Regardless of who emerges as the victor, I don’t expect this fight to go three complete rounds.

Dan Ige Moneyline: An intriguing matchup of two well-rounded scrappers, I’m looking forward to this one. Ige is a sharp, technical striker, usually favoring his hands, and will often mix in takedowns and submission attempts. Pitbull is an excellent kickboxer on his feet, with heavy punches and quick kicks, and has world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on the mat. Both are experienced fighters with a solid resume of wins, but Pitbull has had the lengthier career, with 11 more years as a professional and 16 more fights, many of which were for titles. Pitbull has been in plenty of wars and wild five-round scraps, and although experience is valuable, he has a lot of miles on him. I believe this showed in his fight with Yair Rodriguez; while he still seemed to possess solid power, he looked slow and outmatched by the younger, quicker fighter. I expect a similar outcome here: Ige can match Pitbull’s power, and is the bigger, faster, younger man. I anticipate Pitbull to be more aggressive than in his last outing, but I expect Ige to outland him while controlling the pace and distance. While I’m not sure how long this fight will last or if the judges will be involved, I’m confident Ige will walk away with a victory on Saturday.

Dustin Poirier Moneyline: Six years removed from their second meeting, we receive the third fight between two of the UFC’s most legendary fighters. Poirier has been the victor of their last two bouts, defeating Holloway by submission in 2012 and by unanimous decision in 2019, earning an interim Lightweight title. This fight has significant meaning to both men. For Holloway, it’s not only a chance to avenge losses to an old rival, but also an opportunity to show the fans he’s still got it following a brutal defeat at the hands of Ilia Topuria. Poirier has already confirmed this will be his final fight, and a final victory over Holloway would be the perfect capstone to an outstanding career. Both fighters have spoken recently on their plans for an all-out war, and I’d be shocked if it was anything short of that. Although both men have changed and evolved since their last fight, I foresee a similar outcome. I expect this fight to get to a quick but technical start, with numerous close exchanges in the opening rounds. As the fight progresses, I believe both men will take more risks, staying in the pocket and unloading combinations. While the pace continues to increase, I anticipate Poirier slowly taking over, getting the better of the exchanges, controlling the center, and landing the bigger shots. Knowing this is his final bout, I believe Poirier will leave everything he has left in the Octagon and earn a hard-fought victory, one last time.

UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Teixeira Preview

Derrick Lewis lands a vicious flying knee on the chin of Marcos Rogerio de Lima. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

This Saturday, the UFC heads to the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, with an exciting Fight Night card. Throughout the card, there’s plenty of top-level talent and intriguing matchups that are sure to deliver highlights. In the co-main event, legendary Welterweight striker Stephen Thompson will face off with the quickly rising submission artist, Gabriel Bonfim. In the main event, we’ll see UFC knockout king Derrick Lewis take on the heavy-handed prospect Tallison Teixeira. Let’s take a look at the fights on the main card.

Junior Tafa vs. Tuco Tokkos

Junior Tafa blasts Parker Porter with a brutal knee to the head. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Light Heavyweight Bout

Junior Tafa: 6-3-0, 6 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Tuco Tokkos: 10-5-0, 6 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Tafa has won two of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Sean Sharaf (4-1-0) and Parker Porter (14-9-0). He’s a heavy-handed brawler who’s always in pursuit of a finish. A former professional kickboxer, he held a record of 23-5 with 19 wins by knockout and competed in the premier kickboxing promotion, Glory. Tafa is constantly looking to close the distance and throw bombs, and can cause severe damage with minimal space. He will regularly look to land shots down the middle, particularly straight punches and uppercuts. He has not attempted a takedown in the UFC and won’t typically initiate grappling exchanges, but has successfully defended 77% of takedowns attempted on him in his promotional tenure. Tafa has only left the second round once in his career, always pushing a heavy pace from the opening bell.

Tuco Tokkos exchanges blows with Navajo Stirling. Credit: MMA Junkie.

Tokkos has won three of his last five bouts and is looking for his first UFC victory. He’s a well-rounded scrapper who’s always willing to throw down in the pocket. He has heavy hands and is in perpetual motion, never staying in one spot long before blitzing in to throw wide, looping hooks. Tokkos is a solid grappler, possessing a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, powerful takedowns and slams, and heavy top pressure. Training at Kill Cliff FC, he’s comfortable on his feet but will occasionally pursue early takedowns, typically inside the clinch. He favors power to volume and is a great counter striker, regularly catching opponents with punches as he exits the pocket. Tokkos won’t push a heavy pace but is at his most dangerous early on, with six of his eight finishes coming in round one.

Vitor Petrino vs. Austen Lane

Vitor Petrino fires a kick to the body of Tyson Pedro. Credit: Ag. Fight.

Heavyweight Bout

Vitor Petrino: 11-2-0, 7 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Austen Lane: 13-6-0, 11 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Petrino has won three of his last five outings, with UFC victories over Tyson Pedro (10-5-0), Marcin Prachnio (17-8-0), and Modestas Bukauskas (18-6-0). He’s an explosive fighter with devastating power and solid grappling. He’s constantly coming forward, typically headhunting and throwing single shots, with enough power in both hands to produce a one-shot KO. Training at CM System, Petrino is at his most dangerous early on, regularly unloading overhands and hooks, favoring power over technique. He is averaging over three takedowns landed per fifteen minutes and can be a bit of a panic wrestler, resorting to grappling when he’s getting the worst of the striking exchanges. He has heavy top control and brutal ground and pound, averaging about one submission attempted per fifteen minutes. Petrino has surprisingly decent cardio and can push a consistent pace throughout the fight.

Austen Lane stuns Robelis Despaigne with a powerful left hand. Credit: MMA Mania.

Lane has won one of his last five fights with one No Contest and has a UFC victory over Robelis Despaigne (5-2-0). He is a lengthy striker who often opens up with a barrage of kicks before blitzing in to unleash combinations. He’s very explosive, throws everything in combination, and spends much of his time in the cage brawling inside the pocket. Training at Bulldog Boxing, Lane has solid power in his hands and decent cardio, carrying his punching capacity across 15 minutes. He is a former NFL player and has finished nearly all of his wins, leaving the first round just six times in his professional career. While he won’t typically engage in grappling exchanges, he will throw heavy ground-and-pound if he finds himself in top position. Lane has shown an ability to survive off his back and will pursue submissions if given the opportunity.

Nate Landwehr vs. Morgan Charrière

Nate Landwehr lands a brutal ground and pound elbow on David Onama. Credit: MMA Mania.

Featherweight Bout

Nate Landwehr: 18-6-0, 9 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Morgan Charrière: 20-11-1, 12 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Landwehr has won three of his last five bouts, holding UFC victories over David Onama (14-2-0), Ludovit Klein (23-5-1), and Darren Elkins (29-12-0). He’s a true scrapper who always comes forward and engages in the fight wherever it goes. He’s always willing to eat a shot to land one, regularly walking through punches to close the distance. Landwehr fights behind his jab, constantly looking for opportunities to crash into the pocket and land combinations. He is willing to mix it up, averaging about one takedown landed and one submission attempted per fifteen minutes. He pushes a heavy pace and is at his best in a dogfight, controlling the center and forcing his opponent to the outside. Landwehr has earned three performance bonuses in his last five UFC appearances and always leaves everything inside the cage.

Morgan Charrière lands a vicious kick to the body of Manolo Zecchini. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Charrière has won three of his last five outings and has UFC victories over Manolo Zecchini (11-4-0) and Gabriel Miranda (17-8-0). A solid scrapper willing to engage the fight anywhere, he’s always dangerous. Training with Team Chapa Quente, he’s a technical striker with substantial power in his hands and brutal leg kicks. Charrière has excellent footwork and is very defensively sound, taking minimal damage and always keeping his head off the centerline. He remains calm and technical throughout and won’t get pulled into dogfights, typically forcing his opponents to the outside and picking them apart. On the ground, he has great top control and heavy ground and pound, particularly elbows. Charrière has gone five rounds multiple times in his career and possesses great cardio, often increasing his pace as the fight progresses.

#14 Calvin Kattar vs. Steve Garcia

Calvin Kattar cracks Giga Chikadze with a left hook. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Featherweight Bout

Calvin Kattar: 23-9-0, 11 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Steve Garcia: 17-5-0, 14 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Kattar has won one of his last five fights, with UFC victories coming over #12 ranked Featherweight Dan Ige (19-9-0),#15 ranked Featherweight Giga Chikadze (15-5-0), and Andre Fili (24-12-0). He is a technical, patient boxer who fights behind his jab before unleashing brutal combinations with his hands. He pushes an intense pace, landing over 100 significant strikes in four of his last seven UFC fights. Training with the New England Cartel, Kattar often looks to to lull his opponent in, remaining patient and reserved before exploding and unloading big combinations. While he won’t typically initiate grappling exchanges, he has solid wrestling skills and has defended 77% of takedowns attempted on him in the UFC. When he finds himself in top position, he has heavy ground and pound and top control. Kattar has proven to be one of the toughest fighters in the UFC, regularly surviving in deep waters, and has a excellent chin.

Steve Garcia stuns Chase Hooper with a powerful left hand. Credit: MMA Mania.

Garcia is on a five-fight win streak and has UFC victories over Chase Hooper (16-3-1), Shayilan Nuerdanbieke (39-12-0), and Melquizael Costa (24-7-0). He’s a heavy-handed striker who’s constantly coming forward and pursuing a knockout. He’s lengthy for the division and uses it well, throwing everything in combination and regularly mixing kicks into his combos. Garcia varies his shots well, attacking the head and body evenly, and constantly looks to enter the pocket and let his hands go. Training at Jackson-Wink MMA, he’s landing, on average, over one takedown per fifteen minutes in the UFC and has heavy ground and pound. He throws everything with power but has impressive speed and technicality, never loading up or telegraphing his shots. Nine of Garcia’s last ten fights did not see a third round, and he’s always pushing the pace.

#12 Stephen Thompson vs. Gabriel Bonfim

Stephen Thompson blasts Kevin Holland with a right hand. Credit: MMA Mania.

Welterweight Bout

Stephen Thompson: 17-8-1, 8 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Gabriel Bonfim: 17-1-0, 3 KO/TKO, 13 Sub.

Thompson has won one of his last five bouts, holding UFC victories over #11 ranked Welterweight Geoff Neal (16-6-0), #14 ranked Welterweight Kevin Holland (28-13-0), and Vicente Luque (23-11-1). He’s a karate-style fighter who provides his opponents with a steady dose of lead leg attacks and straight punches. He has excellent footwork and distance management, constantly moving and changing stances while keeping his head off the centerline. Training with Team Upstate Karate, Thompson is highly accurate and never telegraphs strikes, throwing swift kicks and frequently attacking from different angles. Although he has an excellent arsenal of kicks, he possesses equal power and speed in his hands, often blitzing forward to unload combinations. He’s most comfortable in a technical striking match, but he’s willing to get dirty and exchange in the pocket. Thompson has been awarded eight post-fight bonuses in his UFC tenure and is rarely in a boring fight.

Gabriel Bonfim secures a takedown on Khaos Williams. Credit: Ag. Fight.

Bonfim has won four of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over Khaos Williams (15-5-0),  Mounir Lazzez (11-3-0), and Trevin Giles (16-7-0). He always comes out guns blazing, throwing bombs, and looking for an early finish. Fighting behind his jab, he employs crisp boxing and consistently throws in combination, possessing excellent speed and power in his hands. Bonfim loves to engage in the pocket and tends to headhunt, but won’t get sloppy; he always keeps his guard high and his punches tight and straight. He has a deadly submission game, can find chokes from seemingly anywhere, and has fantastic takedowns. Training at Cerrado MMA, he advances with lightning speed on the ground and always pursues a finish. Bonfim has secured all of his submission victories via choke and can finish the fight quickly if he gets a hold of his opponent’s neck.

#9 Derrick Lewis vs. #13 Tallison Teixeira

Derrick Lewis unleashes a leaping head kick onto Rodrigo Nascimento. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Heavyweight Bout

Derrick Lewis: 28-12-0, 23 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Tallison Teixiera: 8-0-0, 7 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Lewis has won two of his last five fights, with UFC victories coming over #2 ranked Heavyweight Alexander Volkov (38-11-0), #4 ranked Heavyweight Curtis Blaydes (19-5-0), and #7 ranked Heavyweight Marcin Tybura (27-9-0). Famous for his kill-or-be-killed approach, he is arguably the most powerful puncher in the Heavyweight division. Training at Silverback Fight Club, he has a unique, patient style that often shifts from 0 to 100 in the blink of an eye. Along with his punching power, Lewis has a surprising arsenal of flashy attacks, particularly jumping kicks and flying knees. He doesn’t often initiate grappling exchanges and is well known for his non-technical wrestling style of “just getting up,” but he can do serious damage if he gets on top of someone. He’s incredibly resilient and is never truly out of a fight, especially since he only needs to land one clean shot to find a finish. Lewis is the record holder for UFC knockouts with 15 and looks to add to that number every time he fights. 

Tallison Teixeira unloads ground and pound shots onto Justin Tafa. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Teixeira is undefeated and has a UFC victory over Justin Tafa (7-5-0). He’s a massive, lengthy striker with serious, one-shot knockout power in his hands. Standing at 6’7”, he uses his length well, often firing kicks and long straights from range before entering the pocket to blast his opponent with hooks and uppercuts. Teixeira fights behind his jab and regularly mixes kicks into combinations, but tends to headhunt, constantly pursuing a knockout. He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but won’t typically initiate grappling exchanges; instead, he often remains on his feet, taking advantage of his significant height and reach. Training with Team Lucas Mineiro, he has a great chin and is willing to brawl on the inside, but he’s also extremely dangerous from range. Teixeira has not seen a second round in his brief professional career and has scored three knockouts in 40 seconds or less.

Best Bets

Petrino vs. Lane Under 1.5 Rounds: A matchup of two heavy-handed finishers, there’s sure to be fireworks in this fight. Although both are mostly known as knockout artists, they don’t have identical styles. Petrino tends to mix it up more, using both his powerful striking and solid grappling to find a finish. Lane is more of a classical striker, utilizing his punching power and size to put his opponents away. Both have finished the majority of their victories and are coming off knockout losses, so they’ll be looking for a highlight victory to get back into the win column. They have both proven susceptible to finish losses, as both of them have been knocked out or submitted in all of their combined losses. Considering these factors, I’d expect both men to come out guns blazing from the opening bell, hunting for a finish by any means necessary. While I’m not confident in how this fight will end, I do believe it will not last longer than one and a half rounds.

Steve Garcia Moneyline: This is an exciting matchup of high-level strikers that I’ve been looking forward to. Garcia is on a five-fight knockout streak and is looking for a knockout from the opening bell. Kattar has lost four straight, but possesses excellent technical boxing skills and a solid chin. Beyond his recent losses, Kattar has been in plenty of all-out wars during his UFC tenure, including his fight with Holloway, where he absorbed the most total and significant strikes ever in a single bout. While I wouldn't say his chin is gone, being in that many brutal fights takes a toll on a fighter over time. Kattar is also at home in a more technical, volume-based striking match, whereas Garcia prefers power to volume and throws every punch with knockout intentions. I believe Garcia has both the speed and power advantage, as well as height and reach. I expect him to force Kattar to the outside of the cage, keeping him on the end of his punches and constantly pressing forward. Ultimately, I expect Garcia to overwhelm Kattar with pressure and power en route to a victory on Saturday.

Lewis vs. Teixeira Under 1.5 Rounds: We’ll see two Heavyweight knockout artists go toe-to-toe in this main event bout. Lewis is one of the most prolific power punchers in MMA and rarely sees the judges’ scorecards. Teixeira has finished every fight of his professional career, and is yet to leave the first round. When you have two Heavyweights with the power these two fighters have, the fight isn’t likely to last long. Given the enormous height and reach of Teixeira, I expect Lewis to be coming forward as much as possible, constantly pushing the action. Likewise, Teixeira is always looking to come forward and force his opponent to the outside, so I anticipate plenty of close exchanges. Both of these fighters are capable of ending a fight with a single punch, and if they’re going to meet in the middle, someone is going to land that punch. Regardless of who emerges as the victor, I am confident this fight will not go longer than one and a half rounds.

The Best UFC Fighters to Never Win a Title

In the over 20-year history of the UFC, we’ve seen plenty of legendary fighters and champions come and go. Although earning a championship is the ultimate goal for all fighters, only a few ever reach the pinnacle. There have been hundreds of fighters in the UFC who never reached the top, but some are more notable than others. Today, we’ll take a look at the greatest fighters who never won a UFC title.

Joseph Benavidez

Joseph Benavidez applies a brutal guillotine to Dustin Ortiz. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Benavidez was a perennial title contender, fighting for gold on five separate occasions between the UFC and WEC. He consistently faced the best the division had to offer, going toe-to-toe for gold with champions such as Dominick Cruz, Demetrious Johnson, and Deiveson Figueiredo. He would first fight for UFC gold when he took on Demetrious Johnson for the inaugural Flyweight title, ultimately losing a competitive split decision. Following this loss, he’d win nine of his next ten fights, earning his way back to a title fight with Deiveson Figueiredo. Benavidez suffered another loss, this time via second-round knockout, but Figueiredo missed weight, necessitating a rematch for the still-vacant belt. He’d unfortunately be defeated by Figueiredo again, via first-round submission.

Joseph Benavidez blasts Henry Cejudo with a right hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

In his extensive UFC tenure, he competed in the most fights in UFC Flyweight history (19) while also scoring the most knockouts in Flyweight history (5). He is also tied with fellow Flyweight great Tim Elliot for the most decision wins in the 125-pound division (7). Although he never earned a title, he scored multiple impressive victories against notable fighters, including Henry Cejudo, Ian McCall, and Eddie Wineland. Often considered a pioneering figure in the Flyweight division, he is tied with Demetrious Johnson for the second-most wins in the division all-time (13). Benavidez retired from MMA in 2021 and is currently expecting a child with his wife, UFC commentator Meghan Olivi.

Urijah Faber

Urijah Faber fires up inside the Octagon. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

In his 46-fight professional career, Faber contended for a UFC title four times. He would receive his first title shot in just his second bout in the promotion, taking on career-long rival Dominick Cruz for Bantamweight gold. Following this loss, he would shortly receive another shot, now for the interim Bantamweight title, against the then-undefeated Renan Barao, losing a unanimous decision. Following this, he would break off four consecutive wins and earn a shot at Barao again, this time for the undisputed title, but would again lose, this time via 1st-round TKO. He would receive his final shot at UFC gold two years later, once again against Dominick Cruz for the Bantamweight strap, and lose a unanimous decision.

Urijah Faber blasts Brian Bowles with a right hand. Credit: MMA Mania.

Unlike some men on this list, Faber did find championship success outside of the UFC, with a long stint as the WEC Bantamweight Champion as well as the King of the Cage Bantamweight Champion. He has a solid record of wins, including victories over Raphael Assuncao, Scott Jorgensen, Brad Pickett, and Takeya Mizugaki. Between the WEC and UFC, he was awarded 12 post-fight bonuses and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2017. “The California Kid” founded Team Alpha Male in 2004 and has established it as one of the most successful and respected MMA teams in the United States.

Demian Maia

Demian Maia submits Rick Story with a vicious neck crank. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Arguably one of the most successful specialists in modern MMA, Demian Maia fought twice for UFC titles, once for the Middleweight belt and once for the Welterweight belt. His first shot at UFC gold would be in the 185-pound division against Middleweight GOAT, Anderson Silva. He would be defeated via unanimous decision, ultimately moving down to Welterweight five fights later. From 2014 to 2017, Maia rattled off seven consecutive wins and earned a title shot against Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, once again losing via unanimous decision.

Demian Maia attempts a rear naked choke from the back of Lyman Good. Credit: MMA Fighting.

In his 14-year tenure in the UFC, he assembled an impressive list of wins, with victories coming over Carlos Condit, Jorge Masvidal, Gunnar Nelson, Jon Fitch, Neil Magny, and more. He’s found throughout the UFC’s all-time records list, holding the most rear-naked choke wins (9), the second most top position time (2:01:15), and the third most control time (2:35:20). Maia is an accomplished competitive grappler as well, holding a fifth-degree Black belt in BJJ. He has competed in and won various grappling championships, including the ADCC, the IBJJF Pan American and World Championships, and the CBJJ Brazilian Championships. Maia retired from MMA in 2021 but remains an active grappler and has recently joined the commentary team for UFC Fight Pass Brazil. 

Alexander Gustafsson

Alexander Gustafsson squares up with Jon Jones. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Gustafsson fought for gold three times in his thirteen-year UFC tenure, challenging two of the greatest Light Heavyweights of all time, Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier. He received his first title shot against Jones in 2013 in what would become a legendary bout. It was voted the 2013 Fight of the Year by numerous publications, including ESPN, Sherdog, and the UFC, and was recently inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame's Fight Wing. Although it was a unanimous decision loss for Gustafsson, many fans argue to this day that Gustafsson was the rightful victor. He would get another shot at gold in 2015, this time against Daniel Cormier. In yet another closely contested scrap, he would lose a split decision, with one judge scoring the fight for Gustafsson.

Alexander Gustafsson rocks Glover Teixeira with a powerful right hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

He would receive his final title shot and a rematch with Jones in 2018, ultimately being knocked out in the third round. Despite losses to Jones and Cormier, he earned victories over significant Light Heavyweights such as Shogun Hua, Glover Teixeira, and Jan Błachowicz. Gustafsson briefly retired in 2019 but returned to action in 2020 and is currently a free agent. He is a co-owner of Allstars Training Center, his gym, as well as the Swedish MMA promotion AK Fighting Championship.

Kenny Florian

Kenny Florian batters a bloodied Clay Guida. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Despite having the shortest career on this list, Florian contended for gold three times in the UFC, in two different weight classes. In his six years in the UFC, he fought 17 times and is one of two fighters to compete in four different UFC weight classes. He would receive his first UFC title shot in just his eighth professional fight, losing a unanimous decision to Sean Sherk for the vacant Lightweight title. He would then embark on a six-fight win streak from 2007 to 2008, remaining highly active and earning another title fight, this time against BJ Penn. He would suffer another defeat, with Penn securing a rear-naked choke in the fourth round. Florian proceeded to win three of his next four before his final title fight, facing off with José Aldo for the Featherweight title. He would once again lose via unanimous decision, and ultimately chose to retire following this bout.

Kenny Florian fires a head kick at Gray Maynard. Credit: The Boston Globe.

 Regardless of championship success, he went toe-to-toe with plenty of high-level competition and earned victories over fighters such as Joe Lauzon, Clay Guida, and Takanori Gomi. Florian is also an accomplished grappler, possessing a fifth-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is in the Grapplers Quest Hall of Fame and is a former Grapplers Quest Superfight champion, as well as a Naga Advanced Gi Open and Middleweight champion. Florian continues to teach BJJ and is a member of the PFL commentary team.

Honorable Mention: Donald Cerrone

Donald Cerrone fires a clean head kick at Alexander Hernandez. Credit: ESPN.

One of the longest tenured and beloved fighters in UFC history, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Cerrone on this list. Although he only fought for UFC gold once, he challenged for a title three times in the WEC and consistently faced high-level talent throughout his extensive career. Riding an eight-fight win streak, Cerrone received his lone UFC title shot in 2015, facing Rafael Dos Anjos for the Lightweight strap. Unfortunately, he was quickly dispatched via a first-round knockout.

Donald Cerrone submits Edson Barboza with a rear naked choke. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Despite never winning a belt, Cerrone remains one of the most accomplished fighters of all time and is deeply ingrained in the promotion’s history. He holds the UFC record for the most wins (23), most knockdowns (20), most head kick knockouts (6), the third most UFC bouts (38), and the third most finishes (16). He’s also received the most combined UFC/WEC post-fight bonuses, earning a combined 23 bonuses under the Zuffa umbrella. He’s faced a who’s who of the UFC Lightweight division, owning victories over Eddie Alvarez, Edson Barboza, Charles Oliveira, and Benson Henderson.

UFC 317 Preview

Ilia Topuria blasts Josh Emmett with a powerful right hand. Credit: MMA Mania.

The UFC returns to the T-Mobile Center in Las Vegas, Nevada with a fantastic pay-per-view card. From top to bottom, this event has been filled with excellent matchups, established veterans, and rising prospects all looking to earn a victory this Saturday. In the co-main event, we’ll see the dominant Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja look to defend his title against dangerous striker Kai Kara-France. In the main event, two former champions will go toe-to-toe for vacant Lightweight gold when Ilia Topuria faces off against Charles Oliveira. Let’s take a look at the fights on the main card.

Payton Talbott vs. Felipe Lima

Payton Talbott floors Yanis Ghemmouri with a right hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Bantamweight Bout

Payton Talbott: 9-1-0, 7 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Felipe Lima: 14-1-0, 4 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Talbott has won four of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Cameron Saaiman (9-3-0), Yanis Ghemmouri (12-3-0), and Nick Aguirre (7-2-0). He is a dangerous, technical striker who’s constantly coming forward and throwing in combination. He’s a lengthy fighter for the division and uses it well, continually throwing long, straight shots to damage his opponent. Talbott does an excellent job mixing kicks into his combinations and varies his shots well, attacking the head and body evenly. He fights behind his jab and has outstanding distance management, utilizing great footwork and head movement to remain unscathed. Training at the Reno Academy of Combat, he has a solid chin, regularly eating shots and marching forward unfazed. Talbott remains technical throughout and gets increasingly dangerous, with nearly all of his finish victories coming in the second or third round.

Felipe Lima fires a vicious knee to the head of Muhammad Naimov. Credit: MMA Mania.

Lima is on a 14-fight win streak, holding UFC victories over Muhammad Naimov (13-3-0) and Miles Johns (15-3-0). He’s a talented fighter with outstanding boxing and excellent submissions. He’s highly explosive and powerful, throwing everything with impressive speed without loading up or telegraphing. Lima has great distance management and counterstriking, regularly looking to slip punches and return fire. He has a solid takedown game and is very active in the top position, constantly looking to improve his position or posture. Training at Allstars Training Center, he will constantly look to take his opponent’s back before hunting for submissions. Lima has produced five of his seven finishes in the first round but has solid cardio and is always dangerous.

#9 Beneil Dariush vs. #10 Renato Moicano

Beneil Dariush throws a jab at Mateusz Gamrot. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Lightweight Bout

Beneil Dariush: 22-6-1, 5 KO/TKO, 8 Sub.

Renato Moicano: 20-6-1, 2 KO/TKO, 10 Sub.

Dariush has won three of his last five bouts and holds victories over #7 ranked Lightweight Mateusz Gamrot (25-3-0), Drew Dober (27-15-0), and Diego Ferreira (19-6-0). He’s a well-rounded scrapper with a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and excellent Muay Thai. He is more than willing to brawl on the feet, regularly getting into slugfests and hanging in the pocket, unleashing powerful shots. Training at Kings MMA, Dariush has a solid arsenal of kicks and can do serious damage without much space, particularly with his knees. He’s landing, on average, about two takedowns per fifteen minutes and has excellent wrestling and top control. He’s patient in top position, always choosing position over submission and never putting himself in bad spots. In his 16 UFC victories, he’s secured eight finishes and five post-fight bonuses, always leaving everything inside the Octagon.

Renato Moicano unloads brutal ground and pound strikes onto Jalin Turner. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Moicano has won four of his last five outings, with UFC victories coming over #13 ranked Lightweight Benoît Saint Denis (14-3-0), #15 ranked Featherweight Calvin Kattar (23-9-0), and Jalin Turner (14-9-0). He is a grappling ace with an excellent submission game, but is more than willing to throw down on the feet. With only five of his eighteen bouts in the promotion going the distance, he always fights with a “kill or be killed” mentality. Moicano is dangerous in top position, especially if he takes his opponent’s back, with all his career submissions coming via rear-naked choke. He’s aggressive on the ground, always trying to improve or find a finish, but also has excellent control and rarely loses position. On the feet, he has solid speed and power in his hands and loves to throw uppercuts and elbows when in close. Training at American Top Team, he often stays patient and picks his shots, waiting for openings to land combinations or attempt a takedown.

#1 Brandon Royval vs. #12 Joshua Van

Brandon Royval lands a crushing left hand on Brandon Moreno. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Flyweight Bout

Brandon Royval: 17-7-0, 4 KO/TKO, 9 Sub.

Joshua Van: 14-2-0, 7 KOT/KO, 2 Sub.

Royval has won four of his last five fights and has UFC victories over #2 ranked Flyweight Brandon Moreno (23-8-2), #4 ranked Flyweight Kai Kara-France (25-11-0), and #5 ranked Flyweight Tatsuro Taira (16-1-0). He’s a wild brawler who pushes a crazy pace and is dangerous anywhere the fight goes. Training with Mile High Militia, “Raw Dawg” has been awarded five post-fight bonuses in ten bouts in the promotion and always leaves everything in the cage. Royval is dangerous in any position on the ground, always working and searching for submissions. He throws everything in combination on the feet and is always coming forward, looking to do damage. He’s willing to hang in the pocket and exchange, and has proven to be highly durable with an excellent ability to recover from damage. Royval has set multiple Flyweight records in his five-year UFC tenure, including the most significant strikes attempted in a fight, most total strikes both attempted and landed in a fight, and the most head strikes landed in a fight.

Joshua Van cracks Charles Johnson with a stinging jab. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Van has won four of his last five bouts, holding UFC victories over #15 ranked Flyweight Bruno Silva (14-7-2), Rei Tsuruya (10-1-0), and Kevin Borjas (10-3-0). He’s a dangerous striker who’s constantly coming forward to let his hands go. He fights behind his jab and favors volume to power, throwing everything in combination without loading up or telegraphing. Van has outstanding head movement and distance management, regularly looking to dodge punches before unloading combinations. Training at 4oz Fight Club, he does an exceptional job varying his shots, entering the pocket at different angles, and constantly attacking his opponent’s body and legs. He’s willing to grapple, possessing solid takedown defense and landing, on average, about one takedown per fifteen minutes. Van has the highest significant strikes landed per minute in UFC history, with 8.20, and has outlanded his opponent in all his UFC victories.

(C) Alexandre Pantoja vs. #4 Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja viciously submits Kai Asakura with a rear naked choke. Credit: Ag. Fight.

Flyweight Title Bout

Alexandre Pantoja: 29-5-0, 8 KO/TKO, 11 Sub.

Kai Kara-France: 25-11-0, 12 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Pantoja is on a seven-fight win streak and has UFC victories over #1 ranked Flyweight Brandon Royval (17-7-0), #2 ranked Flyweight Brandon Moreno (23-8-2), and #6 ranked Flyweight Manel Kape (21-7-0). He’s a fast starter and an exceptionally well-rounded fighter with serious power in his hands. He’s constantly pressuring forward, throwing everything in combination, and varying his strikes, attacking the head and body evenly. Pantoja transitions incredibly quickly on the ground and always looks for a finish, typically preferring submissions to ground and pound. Training at American Top Team, he’s never looking just to touch his opponents, throwing every shot with power and knockout intentions. He is willing to eat a shot to land one and can get drawn into brawls on the feet, often swinging wildly in the pocket. Pantoja is impressively calm in deep waters and can find a finish anywhere, any time.

Kai Kara-France flattens Steve Erceg with a left hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Kara-France has won three of his last five outings, holding UFC victories over #9 ranked Flyweight Steve Erceg (12-4-0), Askar Askarov (15-1-1), and Cody Garbrandt (14-7-0). He’s a speedy, explosive striker who’s always looking to push the action. He’s in perpetual motion, never staying in one spot for long and always keeping his head off the centerline. Kara-France throws every shot with power, regularly dipping his head and blitzing forward to unload looping hooks and overhands. He won’t typically initiate grappling exchanges, but has excellent balance and takedown defense and has proven tough to finish on the mat. Training at City Kickboxing, he’s always willing to eat a shot to land one, regularly hanging in the pocket to exchange blows. Kara-France has been awarded a bonus in half of his UFC fights and has never been in a boring fight.

Ilia Topuria vs. #2 Charles Oliveira

Ilia Topuria blasts Max Holloway with a powerful right hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Lightweight Title Bout

Ilia Topuria: 16-0-0, 6 KO/TKO, 8 Sub.

Charles Oliveira: 35-10-0, 10 KO/TKO, 21 Sub.

Topuria is undefeated and has UFC victories over Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski (27-4-0), #1 ranked Featherweight Max Holloway (26-8-0), and #10 ranked Featherweight Josh Emmett (19-5-0). He’s a dangerous, technical striker, staying composed and fighting behind his jab while evenly mixing up his attacks between the head and body. He has serious power in both hands and can produce flash knockouts at any time. Training at Climent Club, Topuria has a black belt in BJJ and is landing, on average, over two takedowns per fifteen minutes. He has fantastic wrestling, capable of landing takedowns in open space or along the fence before looking to advance position or land ground and pound. He’s also defensively sound, warding off any submissions thrown his way and never putting himself in bad spots. Topuria relentlessly pursues a finish by any means necessary, only going to a decision twice in his UFC tenure.

Charles Oliveira stuns Michael Chandler with a cracking left hook. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Oliveira has won three of his last five outings, with UFC victories over #3 ranked Lightweight Justin Gaethje (26-5-0), #4 ranked Lightweight Dustin Poirier (30-9-0), and #9 ranked Lightweight Beneil Dariush (22-6-1). He’s an exceptionally well-rounded fighter with bricks for hands and deadly submissions. He utilizes technical, crisp Muay Thai on the feet to piece up and damage his opponents. Oliveira is averaging over two takedowns landed and nearly three submissions attempted per fifteen minutes, and is exceptionally dangerous on the mat. He has solid wrestling skills and is one of the UFC's most prolific submission artists. Training at Chute Boxe, he has proven his ability to stay calm in deep waters, regularly getting hurt in his fights, only to come back and find a way to win. Oliveira holds various UFC records, including the most finishes, submission wins, and post-fight bonuses. 

Best Bets

Royval vs. Van Over 2.5 Rounds: This is an outstanding matchup of an established contender and a rising star. Although both are highly talented, they have differing styles; Van is more of a volume puncher, utilizing his hands, output, and speed to get the job done. Royval has a much more well-rounded approach, always coming forward and making use of both his striking skills and excellent grappling to secure victory. It's important to mention this is a rather short-notice matchup for Van, who fought just a few weeks ago and is stepping in for the injured Manel Kape. Neither fighter has had a full camp to prepare for their opponent, making it more likely that both men take a more measured, careful approach. Both fighters have also proved highly durable, with just four finish losses in 40 combined fights. I expect Royval to look to grapple and slow down the pace much more in this fight, considering Van is most comfortable on his feet. Ultimately, I expect plenty of close exchanges, but I believe this fight will go at least two and a half rounds.

Alexandre Pantoja by Submission: The first of two title fights on the night, I’m looking forward to this one. Pantoja is looking to earn his fourth title defense, while Kara-France will try to cash in on his second attempt at UFC gold. Stylistically similar to the Royval and Van matchup, Pantoja likes to mix it all together, while Kara-France is more of a striking specialist. I believe Pantoja’s well-roundedness is a massive difference maker in this matchup. Although Kara-France has proven to have excellent takedown defense, he hasn’t faced a fighter quite like Pantoja, who’s capable of masking his grappling threat with his dangerous striking, making takedown and submission attempts much less predictable. Kara-France has also only gone five rounds once in his career, and Pantoja tends to build as the fight continues, becoming increasingly dangerous throughout. Lastly, Kara-France’s most significant advantage is typically in his punching power, whereas in this fight, I believe Pantoja can fully match that power on the feet. I anticipate Pantoja will push a heavy pace from the opening bell, welcoming early striking exchanges before pursuing takedowns and controlling Kara-France on the ground. As Kara-France’s endurance wanes, I expect Pantoja to encounter less resistance on the mat, ultimately securing a submission victory and another title defense.

Ilia Topuria Moneyline: An outstanding matchup of two of the most exciting fighters in the UFC, this is an excellent way to close the card. Topuria makes his second appearance in the Lightweight division, this time for gold after vacating his Featherweight belt. Oliveira is a perennial title contender and former Lightweight champion looking to earn back what was once his. In terms of pure skill, this is an incredibly close matchup, with both fighters being highly well-rounded and dangerous anywhere. Although close in skill, I believe Topuria has an advantage in striking; he possesses a type of one-punch knockout power rarely seen or replicated. Oliveira tends to get clipped or caught early in the fight with big punches, and you can’t afford that mistake against Topuria. While it’s nearly impossible to match Oliveira’s submission skills, Topuria is an outstanding grappler in his own right and has the takedown defense to keep the fight standing. Beyond Topuria’s technical skills, he’s impressively durable and can recover well from significant damage, exemplified by his comeback victory against Jai Herbert. I expect this fight to start quickly and aggressively, with both men looking for a finish from the opening bell. I expect Topuria to get the better of the exchanges on the feet, deny any takedown attempts, and control the center of the Octagon. While I’m not confident in how long this fight goes or how it ends, I am confident that Topuria will become the new Lightweight champion this Saturday.

UFC Fight Night: Hill vs. Rountree Jr. Preview

Khalil Rountree Jr. cracks Anthony Smith with a vicious left hook. Credit: MMA Fighting.

This weekend, the UFC makes its first-ever trip to Baku, Azerbaijan, with an outstanding Fight Night card. The entire card has been stacked with exciting matchups and top-notch fighters all looking for a highlight-reel victory. In the co-main event, two of the Lightweight division’s most devastating strikers go toe-to-toe when Rafael Fiziev takes on Ignacio Bahamondes. In the main event, we’ll witness former champion Jamahal Hill square off with the dangerous title contender Khalil Rountree Jr.

Muhammad Naimov vs. Bogdan Grad

Muhammad Naimov fires an impressive spinning kick at Nathaniel Wood. Credit: MMA Junkie.

Featherweight Bout

Muhammad Naimov: 12-3-0, 6 KO/KO, 2 Sub.

Bogdan Grad: 15-2-0, 9 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Naimov has won four of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Jamie Mullarkey (17-8-0), Nathaniel Wood (21-6-0), and Erik Silva (9-3-0). He’s a well-rounded scrapper with excellent, technical kickboxing and efficient wrestling. He remains technical throughout, always keeping his guard high and his punches tight while maintaining solid distance management. Training with the Elevation Fight Team, he prefers power to volume, not putting out a ton of strikes but picking them wisely and throwing without telegraphing. He’s very strong in the clinch and has excellent takedowns, able to land them anywhere at any time. He’s always working in top position, looking either to advance or posture up and land vicious ground and pound. Naimov has secured five of his eight finishes in the first round and is at his most dangerous early on.

Bogdan Grad unloads ground and pound shots onto Lucas Alexander. Credit: Ag. Fight.

Grad has won four of his last five bouts and has a UFC victory over Lucas Alexander (8-5-0). He’s an aggressive striker who’s always coming forward and throwing bombs. He comes out guns blazing from the opening bell, typically rushing into the pocket to unload power punches. Grad has solid head movement and footwork, regularly looking to slip punches and counterstrike. Training at ETTL Bros MMA, he’s highly unpredictable and will regularly look to land flashy attacks like spinning kicks or superman punches. He does an excellent job mixing wrestling into his striking, never telegraphing his shots and usually securing takedowns quickly. Grad has secured eight of his twelve finishes in the first round, but has solid cardio and can push a consistent pace throughout.

Nazim Sadykhov vs. Nikolas Motta

Nazim Sadykhov throws a powerful head kick at Ismael Bonfim. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Lightweight Bout

Nazim Sadykhov: 10-1-1, 7 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Nikolas Motta: 15-5-0, 10 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Sadykhov has won four of his last five outings with one draw and has UFC victories over Terrance McKinney (16-7-0), Ismael Bonfim (20-5-0), and Evan Elder (10-2-0). He is a well-rounded, heavy-handed scrapper who is dangerous anywhere the fight goes. He has excellent footwork, controlling the center of the Octagon while remaining in perpetual motion. Sadykhov remains technical throughout and always pushes a heavy pace, keeping his guard high and punches straight while still throwing with power. Training with the Serra-Longo Fight Team, he’s averaging over one takedown landed per fifteen minutes and has excellent scrambles and reversals, typically finding himself in top position following grappling exchanges. He transitions very quickly in top position and can find submissions with impressive speed, particularly chokes. Sadykhov is always dangerous and can produce a finish at any time, with an even split of first and third-round finishes.

Nikolas Motta finishes Tom Nolan with ground and pound after dropping him with a right hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Motta has won three of his last five fights with one no contest and has UFC victories over Tom Nolan (9-1-0), Maheshate (10-4-0), and Cameron VanCamp (15-7-1). He’s a heavy-handed striker in constant pursuit of a knockout. Training at Xtreme Couture, he has power in both hands and can create flash knockouts at any time, especially with his left hook. Motta has heavy kicks and varies them well, attacking the head, legs, and body without loading up or telegraphing. He’s always willing to exchange inside the pocket and regularly looks to close the distance and throw power shots. He has not attempted a takedown in the UFC but has successfully defended 82% of takedowns attempted on him in his promotional tenure. Motta secured eight of his ten knockouts in the first round and has scored four finishes in under two minutes. 

Tofiq Musayev vs. Myktybek Orolbai

Tofiq Musayev cracks Damien Brown with a right hook. Credit: Rizin FF.

Lightweight Bout

Tofiq Musayev: 22-5-0, 18 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Myktybek Orolbai: 13-2-1, 6 KO/TKO, 5 Sub.

Musayev has won three of his last five bouts and is making his UFC debut. He’s a former Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix champion and a powerful striker. He remains patient on his feet, looking for openings to enter the pocket and unload looping hooks and overhands. Musayev has excellent distance management, forcing his opponent to the outside of the cage while constantly stalking and cutting them off with strikes. Training at Kill Cliff FC, he tends to fight with his hands down and is highly explosive, rarely telegraphing before unloading punches or kicks. He favors power to volume but heats up as the fight continues, increasing his pace and output. Musayev has produced fourteen first-round finishes and hasn’t been to a decision since 2019. 

Myktybek Orolbai blasts Elves Brener with a powerful left hand. Credit: MMA Junkie.

Orolbai has won four of his last five outings and has UFC victories over Elves Brener (16-5-0) and Uroš Medić (10-3-0). A well-rounded scrapper, he’s always coming forward and looking to do damage. He’s landing, on average, over five takedowns per fifteen minutes in the UFC and is a tenacious grappler, willing to work to get the fight to the mat. Orolbai always comes forward, usually unloading long, lunging punches while mixing takedowns into his striking. Training with Team Alpha Male, he’s exceptionally durable, always willing to eat a shot to land one, and pushes a heavy pace at all times. He has smothering top control and is always active in top position, constantly looking to posture or improve position. Orolbai has secured his last four finishes after round one, typically wearing down his opponent throughout the fight until securing a finish. 

#5 Curtis Blaydes vs. Rizvan Kuniev

Curtis Blaydes secures a takedown on Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Heavyweight Bout

Curtis Blaydes: 18-5-0, 13 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Rizvan Kuniev: 12-2-1, 6 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Blaydes has won three of his last five fights and has UFC victories over #3 ranked Heavyweight Alexander Volkov (38-11-0), #6 ranked Heavyweight Jailton Almeida (22-3-0), and Jairzinho Rozenstruik (15-6-0). A dominant wrestler, he’s constantly looking to take the fight to the mat and control the pace. He’s averaging nearly six takedowns landed per fifteen minutes in the UFC and secures them quickly, capable of landing shots in the open and along the fence. Blaydes favors power to volume on the feet, throwing straight, tight shots and constantly moving, feinting, and switching stances. He fights behind his jab, remaining technical and composed while throwing every shot with fight-ending power. Training at Elevation Fight Team, he looks to smother his opponent and drag them into deep waters, not necessarily forcing a finish. Blaydes has the UFC Heavyweight records for most takedowns landed (62) and most control time (1:20:06), making grappling inevitable when he’s inside the cage.

Rizvan Kuniev fires a jab at Hugo Cunha. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Kuniev has won four of his last five bouts and is making his UFC debut following Contender Series victories over Hugo Cunha (8-3-0) and Edivan Santos (17-7-0). He’s a powerful scrapper constantly looking to land power shots and wear down his opponent. He has decent head movement, staying off the centerline and regularly dipping his head before blitzing into the pocket and throwing heavy shots. Training at Gorets, he does a great job controlling the center of the cage, forcing his opponent to the outside while controlling the pace and distance. He will regularly look to clinch up and control his opponent before pursuing takedowns, often chaining takedown attempts together to bring the fight to the mat. He has heavy top pressure and will constantly look to posture up and land ground and pound. Kuniev has secured most of his knockouts after round one, remaining dangerous at all times.

#11 Rafael Fiziev vs. Ignacio Bahamondes

Rafael Fiziev throws a body kick at Mateusz Gamrot. Credit: Yahoo Sports.

Lightweight Bout

Rafael Fiziev: 12-4-0, 8 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Ignacio Bahamondes: 17-5-0, 11 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Fiziev has won two of his last five fights and has UFC wins over #10 ranked Lightweight Renato Moicano (20-6-1), Rafael Dos Anjos (32-17-0), and Marc Diakiese (18-8-0). He is a dangerous striker who constantly pressures forward and always pursues a knockout. He throws everything with power and in combination, landing, on average, about 63 significant strikes in his last five outings. Training at Tiger Muay Thai, Fiziev is highly technical, fights behind his jab, and moves in and out of the pocket quickly without taking much damage. He has very efficient striking but is also defensively sound, possessing excellent head movement and elusive footwork. With a background in Muay Thai and a pro kickboxing record of 39-8, he won’t typically initiate grappling exchanges but has defended 90% of the takedowns attempted on him in the UFC. Fiziev has a massive arsenal of attacks and regularly attempts spectacular moves like flying knees and spinning kicks.

Ignacio Bahamondes blasts Christos Giagos with a brutal head kick. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Bahamondes has won four of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over Manuel Torres (16-3-0), Rongzhu (26-6-0), and Jalin Turner (14-9-0). He’s a flashy striker capable of producing highlight-reel knockouts at any moment. He never telegraphs his attacks, constantly switching stances and throwing quick combinations followed by devastating kicks. Bahamondes is comfortable anywhere on the feet, capable of fighting at a distance or exchanging in the pocket. He hasn’t landed a takedown in the UFC but is a solid grappler with a slick submission game and excellent takedown defense. Training at Valle Flow Striking, he has a solid chin, great cardio, and can push a heavy pace throughout. Bahamondes has secured three consecutive first-round finishes and is constantly pursuing a knockout.

#4 Jamahal Hill vs. #7 Khalil Rountree Jr.

Jamahal Hill stuns Johnny Walker with a powerful right hook. Credit: Sportskeeda.

Light Heavyweight Bout

Jamahal Hill: 12-3-0, 7 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Khalil Rountree Jr.: 14-6-0, 10 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Hill has won three of his last five outings and has UFC victories over #12 ranked Light Heavyweight Johnny Walker (21-9-0), Glover Teixeira (33-9-0), and Thiago Santos (22-13-0). He’s a bruising striker with one-shot knockout power who’s constantly pressuring forward. He’ll often look to counterattack, drawing in his opponent before unloading brutal, looping hooks. Hill throws with both power and volume, averaging about 84 significant strikes landed in his last five fights. He’s never shot a takedown in the UFC but has defended 73% of the takedowns attempted on him and has excellent striking in the clinch, especially his knees. Training at Black Lion Jiu-Jitsu, he does a great job of mixing in kicks at the end of combinations, possessing perilous leg and head kicks. He’s earned four post-fight bonuses in ten UFC appearances and always leaves everything inside the cage.

Khalil Rountree Jr. fires a jab at Dustin Jacoby. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Rountree has won four of his last five outings and has UFC victories over Anthony Smith (38-22-0), Dustin Jacoby (21-9-1), and Modestas Bukauskas (18-6-0). A vicious Muay Thai striker, he has serious power in his hands and is always pursuing a knockout. He regularly blitzes forward before exploding into the pocket, swinging massive, looping hooks and throwing every shot with fight-ending intentions. Training at Syndicate MMA, Rountree is comfortable in a brawl but has excellent technical skills, capable of picking his opponents apart from a distance. He possesses a devastating arsenal of kicks and has the only oblique kick finish in UFC history. He has not landed a takedown in the UFC and won’t typically initiate grappling exchanges, preferring to keep the fight standing. Rountree has secured seven of his ten knockouts in the first round and is most dangerous early in the fight.

Best Bets

Musayev vs. Orolbai to Go the Distance: An outstanding matchup of two exciting fighters, I’m looking forward to this one. Musayev will be making his anticipated UFC debut in his home country, while Orolbai returns to the Octagon following a Fight of the Year candidate with Mateusz Rębecki. Although I expect this fight to be competitive, I wouldn’t expect it to be as bloody or wild as Orolbai’s last appearance. Musayev is a much more movement-based, technical fighter, therefore much less likely to hang in the pocket and brawl with Orolbai. I also expect Orolbai to pursue much more grappling in this fight, given Musayev’s apparent preference for striking. I anticipate plenty of close exchanges on the feet, but ultimately, I foresee a more methodical, technical scrap between these two that will go the distance.

Curtis Blaydes Moneyline: In this matchup, we’ll see established title contender Curtis Blaydes square off with the debuting Rizvan Kuniev. One of the more shocking matchups we’ve seen in a while, it’s rare to see a debuting fighter taking on a top-five opponent. And, quite frankly, it is even more surprising because I don’t find anything about Kuniev particularly impressive. He has solid knockout power (like most 265-pounders) and decent wrestling, but he doesn’t necessarily stick out amongst the crowd at Heavyweight. While Blaydes isn’t necessarily the most fascinating fighter to watch, he has proven to be a top-level talent and earned multiple wins within the top 15. Blaydes is also an outstanding wrestler, and Kuniev typically relies on his wrestling to find his way to victory. Puncher’s chance is always significant at Heavyweight, but unless Kuniev comes out guns blazing, I anticipate Blaydes overwhelming and outgrappling Kuniev en route to victory.

Khalil Rountree Moneyline: A matchup of two powerful, dangerous strikers, there’s sure to be fireworks in this one. Both men are coming off knockout losses and looking for a highlight victory to get back into the win column. Although both are strikers, they have differing styles: Hill is more of a brawler, utilizing his power and size to do damage. While Rountree has found himself in plenty of brawls, he’s much more of a technical fighter, with an arsenal of kicks and efficient Muay Thai skills. Although I don’t expect a technical, point-fighting scrap, Rountree’s advantage in technical skill is significant in this matchup, especially considering he’s the smaller fighter. Rountree has more routes to victory: Hill has to come forward and lead the dance to win, whereas Rountree is comfortable and dangerous practically anywhere, even on the back foot. I anticipate Hill pushing a wild, heavy pace to start, and for Rountree to weather that storm while piecing up and wearing down Hill. I expect Rountree to outland him, force Hill onto the back foot, and earn an impressive victory on Saturday.

UFC 316 Preview

Merab Dvalishvili fires punches at Umar Nurmagomedov after denying a takedown. Credit: MMA Fighting.

The UFC heads to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, with an outstanding pay-per-view card. The entire card has been loaded with excellent matchups and exciting fighters all looking for a landmark win. In the co-main event, we’ll finally receive the long-awaited matchup of women’s Bantamweight champion Julianna Peña and surging contender Kayla Harrison. In the main event, two of the best fighters the 135-pound division has to offer rematch for gold when Merab Dvalishvili looks to defend his title against Sean O’Malley. First, we’ll take a look at two outstanding preliminary matchups, then break down the main card.

Prelims

#12 Azamat Murzakanov vs. Brendson Ribeiro

Azamat Murzakanov blasts Alonzo Menifield with a left hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Light Heavyweight Bout

Azamat Murzakanov: 14-0-0, 10 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Brendson Ribeiro: 17-7-0, 9 KO/TKO, 7 Sub.

Murzakanov is undefeated and has UFC victories over #15 ranked Light Heavyweight Alonzo Menifield (16-5-1), Devin Clark (14-9-0), and Dustin Jacoby (21-9-1). He’s a powerful, elusive striker who’s always pursuing a knockout. He’s highly explosive, favoring power to volume and constantly looking to land shots up the middle, especially uppercuts and knees. He has excellent footwork and distance management, regularly blitzing into the pocket to land power shots before quickly returning to range unscathed. Training at K Dojo, he does a great job varying his shots, constantly attacking from different angles while changing his targets between the head and body. He’s most comfortable on his feet but is willing to grapple, possessing solid wrestling and clinch control. Murzakanov has secured eight of his eleven finishes in the first round and is at his most dangerous early on.

Brendson Ribeiro stuns Caio Machado with a lunging right hand. Credit: MMA Junkie.

Ribeiro has won three of his last five fights, with UFC victories coming over Caio Machado (8-4-1) and Diyar Nurgozhay (10-1-0). He’s a wild scrapper with solid power and dangerous submissions. He throws everything with knockout intentions, fighting behind his jab before unloading long, looping hooks. Ribeiro has heavy kicks and throws them constantly, regularly mixing leg kicks into combinations. Training at Brazilian TKO, he is an explosive grappler and can land powerful takedowns even when on the back foot. He can survive in deep waters on his back, has solid scrambles and reversals, and has heavy pressure in top position. He stays patient on top, not putting himself in bad spots while looking to land ground and pound. Ribeiro has secured four of his seven submission victories via guillotine and will regularly pursue chokes if the fight hits the mat.

#12 Bruno Silva vs. #14 Joshua Van

Bruno Silva lands a brutal front kick to the face of Tyson Nam. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Flyweight Bout

Bruno Silva: 14-6-2, 6 KO/TKO, 4 Sub.

Joshua Van: 13-2-0, 6 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Silva has won four of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over Cody Durden (17-7-1), Tyson Nam (21-14-1), and JP Buys (9-6-0). He’s a well-rounded, explosive fighter who’s dangerous anywhere, anytime. He’s in perpetual motion, regularly firing kicks from range before dipping his head and crashing into the pocket to unload hooks and overhands. Silva varies his attacks well and throws everything with impressive speed and power. He has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has landed, on average, nearly two takedowns per fifteen minutes in the UFC. Training at Fight Ready, he’s dangerous on the mat, possessing excellent submission defense, scrambles, and chokes. He’s earned Performance of the Night bonuses in all his last four wins and always leaves everything inside the cage.

Joshua Van clips Zhalgas Zhumagulov with a powerful left hook. Credit: MMA Junkie.

Van has won four of his last five outings, holding UFC victories over Rei Tsuruya (10-1-0), Kevin Borjas (10-3-0), and Cody Durden (17-7-1). He’s a dangerous striker who’s constantly coming forward to let his hands go. He fights behind his jab and favors volume to power, throwing everything in combination without loading up or telegraphing. Van has outstanding head movement and distance management, regularly looking to slip punches and return fire. Training at 4oz Fight Club, he does an exceptional job varying his shots, entering the pocket at different angles and constantly attacking his opponent’s body and legs. He’s willing to grapple, possessing solid takedown defense and landing, on average, over one takedown per fifteen minutes. Van has the highest significant strikes landed per minute in UFC history, with 8.10, and has outlanded his opponent in all his UFC victories.

Main Card

#14 Vicente Luque vs. Kevin Holland

Vicente Luque secures a D’arce choke on Michael Chiesa. Credit: MMA Mania.

Welterweight Bout

Vicente Luque: 23-10-1, 11 KO/TKO, 9 Sub.

Kevin Holland: 27-13-0, 13 KO/TKO, 9 Sub.

Luque has won two of his last five fights and has UFC victories over #1 ranked Welterweight Belal Muhammad (24-4-0), Themba Gorimbo (14-5-0), and Randy Brown (20-6-0). He’s a well-rounded scrapper with educated hands and lethal chokes. He fights behind his jab and throws everything with purpose, never telegraphing shots or wasting energy. Training at Kill Cliff FC, Luque has excellent low kicks and regularly adds them to the end of punch combinations. He has solid technical and counterstriking abilities but loves to brawl and is always willing to eat a shot to land one. He holds black belts in BJJ and Luta Livre and can find chokes with impressive speed when the fight hits the mat. Luque won’t typically pursue many takedowns, often finding chokes defensively or scoring knockdowns to reach top position.

Kevin Holland fires brutal ground and pound shots at Gunnar Nelson. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Holland has won two of his last five bouts and has wins over #7 ranked Welterweight Joaquin Buckley (21-6-0), #9 ranked Middleweight Anthony Hernandez (14-2-0), and Michael Chiesa (20-7-0). A wild scrapper who’s comfortable anywhere the fight goes, he’s always dangerous and constantly pursuing a finish. He’s an aggressive striker, throwing everything in combination with knockout intentions, and is always willing to brawl. Holland does a great job of moving in and out of range without taking damage, but is willing to brawl and will hang in the pocket to exchange blows. Training at Travis Lutter BJJ, he tends to throw kicks at range, using his legs to set up his hands, often throwing kicks naked or at the start of a combination. He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has a slick submission game, possessing particularly lethal chokes. Holland is one of the most active fighters in MMA, having fought 25 times in the UFC since 2018, and has earned nine post-fight bonuses in his promotional tenure.

#10 Mario Bautista vs. Patchy Mix

Mario Bautista pursues a takedown on José Aldo. Credit: Ag. Fight.

Bantamweight Bout

Mario Bautista: 15-2-0, 3 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

Patchy Mix: 20-1-0, 2 KO/TKO, 13 Sub.

Bautista is on a seven-fight win streak and has UFC victories over José Aldo (32-10-0), Miles Johns (15-3-0), and Da’Mon Blackshear (17-7-1). He’s incredibly quick and dangerous on his feet, regularly moving in and out of the pocket to land shots without taking damage. He throws everything with power, keeps his punches tight and technical, and attacks the head and body evenly. Training at the MMA Lab, Bautista always comes forward, throwing combinations and typically a steady flow of low kicks. He’s averaging nearly two takedowns landed per 15 minutes and has landed at least one takedown in five of his last seven fights. He’s as quick on the ground as on the feet, transitioning and passing efficiently and effectively. Bautista has heavy top pressure and will find submissions in the blink of an eye, possessing three first-round submission victories in the UFC.

Patchy Mix lock in a rear naked choke on Ricky Bandejas. Credit: Bellator MMA.

Mix is on a seven-fight win streak and is making his UFC debut. A former Bellator Bantamweight champion, he’s a well-rounded scrapper with lethal submissions. He fights behind a sharp jab, constantly pumping it out while holding the center of the cage and forcing his opponent to the outside. Mix has solid power in his hands and great kicks, regularly darting in and out of the pocket to land quick shots. He is an outstanding wrestler capable of impressive slams and will shoot early on, but is comfortable fighting on his feet and won’t force the fight to the mat. Training at Xtreme Couture, he has very heavy top pressure and is active on the ground, constantly looking to improve his position. Mix will regularly pursue submissions, particularly chokes, continually looking to take his opponent’s back or catch them in a guillotine. 

Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer

Kelvin Gastelum cracks Daniel Rodriguez with a powerful left hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Middleweight Bout

Kelvin Gastelum: 20-9-0, 6 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

Joe Pyfer: 13-3-0, 9 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Gastelum has won two of his last five outings and has victories over Daniel Rodriguez (19-5-0), Chris Curtis (31-12-0), and Jacaré Souza (26-10-0). He’s a well-rounded fighter who’s highly durable and comfortable wherever the fight goes. He’s constantly moving and feinting on the feet, never staying in one spot or keeping his head on the centerline for long. Gastelum is willing to eat a shot to land one and has solid power, throwing every shot in combination and with purpose. Training at Fight Ready, he’s averaging just over one takedown landed per fifteen minutes and has a black belt in BJJ. He has heavy ground and pound and dangerous chokes, with three of his four submissions coming via rear naked choke. Gastelum has earned eight bonuses in his over ten-year promotional tenure and is never in a boring fight, win or lose.

Joe Pyfer lands a vicious right hand on Gerald Meerschaert. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Pyfer has won four of his last five fights and holds UFC victories over Marc-André Barriault (17-9-0), Abdul Razak Alhassan (12-7-0), and Gerald Meerschaert (37-19-0). He is an explosive striker with one-punch knockout power who constantly pursues a finish. He has solid, technical hands, always keeping his guard high, his shots tight, and never telegraphing. Training at Marquez MMA, Pyfer has excellent head movement and footwork, always keeping his head off the centerline, and can land damage going forward or backward. He has a solid grappling game with great takedowns, smothering top control, and submission ability to back up his brutal ground and pound. He does his best work on the inside with his hands but will throw heavy kicks at range, particularly to the legs. Pyfer has seven first-round finishes and has only gone to two decisions in his career, rarely going past the second round.

(C) Julianna Peña vs. #2 Kayla Harrison

Julianna Peña tags Raquel Pennington with a lunging right hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Women’s Bantamweight Title Bout

Julianna Peña: 13-5-0, 3 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

Kayla Harrison: 18-1-0, 6 KO/TKO, 7 Sub.

Peña has won three of her last five bouts and has UFC victories over #1 ranked Bantamweight Raquel Pennington (16-10-0), Amanda Nunes (23-5-0), and Cat Zingano (14-5-0). The winner of the 18th season of the Ultimate Fighter, she’s a high-pace brawler with a dangerous submission game. She’s constantly pressing forward, throwing everything with power and in combination. Peña fights behind her jab, continually pumping it out before throwing heavy straights and looping hooks. She’s landing, on average, nearly two takedowns per fifteen minutes and advances position very quickly on the mat. She’s also proven defensively sound, remaining dangerous even on her back, and can survive in deep waters. Peña heats up as the fight continues, with the majority of her UFC finishes coming after round one.

Kayla Harrison unloads brutal ground and pound shots onto Holly Holm. Credit: Fight Sports.

Harrison has won four of her last five outings and has UFC victories over #3 ranked Bantamweight Ketlen Vieira (15-4-0) and Holly Holm (15-7-0). She is a former two-time Olympic gold medalist Judoka and a two-time PFL Women’s Lightweight champion. She is exceptionally powerful and explosive, especially in the clinch, where she’ll regularly look to use her excellent trips and throws to bring the fight to the mat. She has heavy, smothering top pressure and is always working to advance position or posture up. Training at American Top Team, Harrison will constantly posture up and unload ground and pound onto her opponent, either to land damage or create submission openings. She stays patient and composed on her feet, throwing everything tight and straight, often closing distance and striking in the clinch before mixing in her grappling. Nine of Harrison’s thirteen finishes have come in round one, and she pushes a heavy pace from the opening bell.

(C) Merab Dvalishvili vs. #1 Sean O’Malley

Merab Dvalishvili fires ground and pound strikes at Sean O’Malley. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Bantamweight Title Bout

Merab Dvalishvili: 19-4-0, 3 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Sean O’Malley: 18-2-0, 12 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Dvalishvili is on a twelve-fight win streak and has UFC victories over #2 ranked Bantamweight Petr Yan (18-5-0), #3 ranked Bantamweight Umar Nurmagomedov (18-1-0), and his current opponent, Sean O’Malley. He has monstrous cardio, relentlessly pursuing takedowns and landing big flurries on the feet. He’s incredibly durable, always willing to eat a shot to land one, and is constantly pressuring forward. Dvalishvili can easily wrestle for five rounds, averaging nearly six takedowns landed per fifteen minutes in the UFC. Training with the Serra-Longo Fight Team, his constant wrestling threat helps to mask his striking, often coming forward to land powerful hooks and big combinations. He never stops moving on his feet or the ground, constantly looking for a better position or opening to land a shot. Dvalishvili has outlanded all of his UFC opponents, averaging over 94 significant strikes landed in his last five fights.

Sean O’Malley stuns Marlon Vera with a cracking right straight. Credit: MMA Fighting.

O’Malley has won three of his last five outings with one no-contest and has UFC victories over #2 ranked Bantamweight Petr Yan (18-5-0), #7 ranked Bantamweight Marlon Vera (23-10-1), and #9 ranked Featherweight Aljamain Sterling (24-5-0). He’s a wild, flashy striker, throwing out a variety of spinning and flying kicks seemingly at will. Averaging over seven significant strikes landed per minute, he’s always pursuing a finish, holding knockout wins in nearly half of his bouts in the promotion. Training at MMA Lab, O’Malley rarely engages in grappling exchanges, preferring to stay at range and pick his opponent apart with long punches and kicks. Beyond his arsenal of flashy attacks, his most dangerous weapons are his straight punches, often adding them at the end of combinations and regularly resulting in knockdowns or knockouts. O’Malley carries his power throughout the fight and can produce a finish anytime.

Best Bets

Luque vs. Holland to Not Go the Distance: An excellent matchup of two dangerous finishers, I’m looking forward to this one. Both are veterans of the sport and have plenty of impressive victories, combining for a total of 74 fights with 42 finish wins. Although they’re both well-rounded fighters, they have very different styles: Luque is a brawler, doing most of his damage with his hands, along with his excellent grappling and submissions. Holland also loves to brawl, but is a more lengthy, measured striker, battering his opponents from range and possessing his own arsenal of submissions. Both fighters are always in pursuit of a finish and will regularly throw caution to the wind, seeing just six decisions in their last 20 combined fights. It’s tough to predict where this fight will play out or where the finish will come from; both men are comfortable anywhere the fight goes. Regardless, with the finishing prowess of these two, I don’t expect the judges to be involved.

Patchy Mix Moneyline: This is a matchup of two highly skilled, well-rounded scrappers I’ve been looking forward to. Mix, the former Bellator Bantamweight champion, is making his UFC debut riding an impressive win streak, ready to show UFC fans his skills. Bautista, also on a seven-fight win streak, has steadily risen in the Bantamweight division and is looking for a landmark win. Although Bautista is coming off a highly controversial victory over former champion José Aldo, Mix is likely the highest level of competition Bautista has faced in his professional career. Essentially facing other prospects for most of his UFC tenure, Aldo was his first top 15 opponent, and it’s safe to say Bautista did not impress en route to a slow, clinch-heavy victory. Alternatively, Mix has been facing championship-caliber opponents for some time now, fighting for gold in his final three appearances in Bellator, with his first title shot coming in 2020. Mix is the taller and longer fighter in this matchup, and with his outstanding arsenal of chokes, particularly guillotines, Bautista will be in trouble if he’s looking to pursue constant takedowns and clinches. I expect Mix to control the center of the octagon, keeping Bautista at the end of his shots and on the back foot. I anticipate Mix denying multiple takedowns while wearing down and piecing Bautista up, ultimately securing a victory in his debut and getting vengeance for José Aldo fans across the globe.

Merab Dvalishvili by Decision: Although exciting, this is definitely an unprecedented rematch. Their first fight wasn’t what most would describe as close: Dvalishvili landed six takedowns, had over ten minutes of control time, and landed over four times as many total strikes as O’Malley. O’Malley also has not had a fight since their first appearance, and unless he’s transformed into a world champion wrestler in the past year, I can’t imagine his style has changed much. Still, rematches tend to be much more competitive than their first meeting now that the fighters are familiar with each other's skills, and I would expect that to be true in this matchup. With that being said, Dvalishvili pushes a pace that we’re yet to see another fighter match, shooting endless takedowns and always coming forward. O’Malley had visibly slowed by the end of their first fight, getting overwhelmed and burnt out by the offensive onslaught of Dvalishvili. I expect more of the same in this matchup, with Dvalishvili keeping a high pace, forcing O’Malley to the outside while landing multiple takedowns, battering him on the ground, and wearing him down for five rounds. Ultimately, while I believe this will be closer than their first fight, I expect Dvalishvili to secure another decision win.

UFC Fight Night: Blanchfield vs. Barber Preview

Erin Blanchfield lands a stinging right hand on Jéssica Andrade. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

The UFC returns to its headquarters at the APEX Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, with another fantastic Fight Night card. Throughout, this card has been filled with exciting matchups and high-level fighters all looking for a highlight victory this Saturday. In the co-main event, dominant wrestler Mateusz Gamrot will face off with the quickly rising prospect Ludovit Klein. Two top-five women’s Flyweights will collide in the main event when Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber go toe-to-toe. Let’s take a look at the fights on the main card.

Zachary Reese vs. Duško Todorović

Zachary Reese lands a brutal head kick on Jose Medina. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Middleweight Bout

Zachary Reese: 8-2-0, 5 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Duško Todorović: 12-5-0, 8 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Reese has won three of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Jose Medina (11-5-0) and Julian Marquez (9-6-0). He’s a well-rounded fighter with impressive power and excellent submissions. He uses a very upright stance and comes out guns blazing, blasting his opponent with heavy kicks before blitzing into the pocket with punches. Reese looks to overwhelm his opponent early, using both power and volume to back his opponent up. He has excellent clinch takedowns and can quickly find submissions on top and off his back. Training at W4R Training Center, he has excellent top control, heavy ground and pound, and won’t accept position on the ground. Reese has only left the first round once in his career and has secured four finish victories in less than a minute.

Duško Todorović blasts Dequan Townsend with a powerful left hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Todorović has won two of his last five bouts, holding UFC victories over Maki Pitolo (15-11-0), Dequan Townsend (22-13-0), and Jordan Wright (13-5-0). He’s a well-rounded scrapper willing to engage the fight wherever it goes. He has solid power in his hands and is willing to eat one to land one, regularly charging forward and throwing heavy hooks while keeping his chin up high. Todorović has a solid arsenal of kicks he’ll utilize from range, typically throwing naked kicks to the head or legs. Training at Secutor, he has black belts in Taekwondo and BJJ and is willing to grapple, often pursuing takedowns early in the fight. He’s solid in top position, maintaining control of his opponent while constantly looking to posture up and unload ground and pound. Todorović has secured seven of his eleven finish victories in round one and is most dangerous early on.

#3 Ketlen Vieira vs. #5 Macy Chiasson

Ketlen Vieira clips Holly Holm with a right hook. Credit: MMA Mania.

Women’s Bantamweight Bout

Ketlen Vieira: 14-4-0, 2 KO/TKO, 4 Sub.

Macy Chiasson: 11-3-0, 4 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Vieira has won three of her last five outings and has UFC victories over #13 ranked Bantamweight Miesha Tate (20-10-0), Holly Holm (15-7-0), and Pannie Kianzad (17-9-0). She’s a dominant grappler with solid power in her hands who’s always coming forward. She holds black belts in Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is very defensively sound, holding the highest takedown defense percentage in UFC Women’s Bantamweight history at 88%. Vieira has excellent takedown offense as well, capable of securing them in open space or along the fence, and has heavy pressure in top position. Training at Nova União, she’s patient on top, always choosing position over submission and never putting herself in dangerous spots. She prefers submissions over ground and pound, regularly pursuing chokes even when standing. Vieira has landed a takedown in seven of her eight UFC victories and always looks to take it to the mat.

Macy Chiasson tries to secure a rear naked choke on Pannie Kianzad. Credit: MMA Junkie.

Chiasson has won three of her last five fights, with UFC victories coming over #4 ranked Bantamweight Norma Dumont (12-2-0), #8 ranked Bantamweight Mayra Bueno Silva (10-5-1), and Pannie Kianzad (17-9-0). She is a lengthy striker with solid power who’s always looking to land bombs. The winner of season 28 of The Ultimate Fighter, she’s willing to grapple, regularly mixing takedowns into her striking offense. She has solid control and pressure in top position, typically looking to posture and land ground and pound instead of hunting submissions. Training at Fortis MMA, she has a solid arsenal of kicks to back up her hands, throwing a good variety of kicks to the head and body, particularly front kicks. She favors power to volume, using her size and strength to damage her opponents. Chiasson is dangerous throughout the fight, having secured four of her seven finishes after round one.

Dustin Jacoby vs. Bruno Lopes

Dustin Jacoby looks to land a ground and pound shot after dropping Vitor Petrino. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Light Heavyweight Bout

Dustin Jacoby: 20-9-1, 13 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Bruno Lopes: 14-1-0, 6 KO/TKO, 5 Sub.

Jacoby has won two of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over Vitor Petrino (11-2-0), Michael Oleksiejczuk (20-9-0), and Kennedy Nzechukwu (14-5-0). He is a former professional kickboxer with a record of 18-8-0, largely competing in the premier kickboxing promotion, Glory. A visibly experienced fighter, he possesses excellent footwork and movement while remaining technical throughout the fight. Jacoby is effective both at range and in the pocket, but tends to stay at distance where he can use his arsenal of kicks and combinations. Training at FactoryX Muay Thai, his hands seemingly never stop moving, always feinting or throwing punches. He has solid output for a Light Heavyweight but also has excellent cardio, never overexerting himself and pushing a consistent pace across three rounds. Jacoby is willing to grapple and will occasionally shoot for a takedown, but primarily prefers to keep it on the feet where he’s most dangerous.

Bruno Lopes lands a powerful uppercut on Magomed Gadzhiyasulov. Credit: MMA Junkie.

Lopes has won four of his last five outings, holding a UFC victory over Magomed Gadzhisayulov (9-1-0). He’s a versatile fighter with technical striking and excellent submissions. He stays patient on his feet, throwing heavy kicks from range while looking for openings to land power shots. Lopes has excellent distance management and head movement, constantly looking to blitz into the pocket, let his hands go, and get back to distance. He’s a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is a well-rounded grappler, with excellent offensive grappling and takedown defense. Training with the 011 MMA Team, he’s very active in top position, constantly looking to posture up, improve position, or find a submission. Lopes has secured four of his five submission victories via arm triangle choke and will regularly pursue his opponent’s neck from top position.

Billy Ray Goff vs. Ramiz Brahimaj

Billy Ray Goff fires a left hand at Trey Waters. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Welterweight Bout

Billy Ray Goff: 9-3-0, 7 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Ramiz Brahimaj: 11-5-0, 1 KO/TKO, 10 Sub.

Goff has won four of his last five fights and has a UFC victory over Yusaku Kinoshita (6-3-0). He’s a well-rounded fighter with efficient, technical boxing and solid wrestling. He’s highly durable, regularly taking damage early on before recovering and going on the offensive. Goff has excellent head movement and footwork and often looks to counterstrike, slipping his opponent’s attacks before returning with powerful combinations. He will regularly look to extend long punch combinations, unloading shots to the head and body while forcing his opponent to the outside of the cage. He’ll typically mix grappling into his striking, pursuing takedowns in open space or looking to strike in the clinch. Goff has solid cardio and carries his power throughout, but can produce flash finishes and has scored four of his seven knockouts in the first round.

Ramiz Brahimaj unloads vicious ground and pound onto Mickey Gall. Credit: MMA Junkie.

Brahimaj has won three of his last five bouts, with UFC victories coming over Micheal Gillmore (6-5-0), Sasha Palatnikov (8-5-0), and Mickey Gall (7-7-0). He is an explosive grappler who wastes little time on his feet. He’ll typically shoot right away, often landing slam takedowns, averaging nearly two takedowns landed per fifteen minutes in the UFC. Brahimaj advances position at lightning speed and always looks for his opponent’s neck, with nine of his ten submissions coming via choke. Training at Fortis MMA, he vastly prefers submissions to ground and pound, landing either one or zero significant strikes in two of his three UFC wins. He has excellent top pressure and always works for a finish on the mat. He’s at his most dangerous early on, with ten of his eleven finish victories coming in round one, and tends to fade as the fight continues.

#7 Mateusz Gamrot vs. Ludovit Klein

Mateusz Gamrot lands a stinging jab on Dan Hooker. Credit: MMA Mania.

Lightweight Bout

Mateusz Gamrot: 24-3-0, 8 KO/TKO, 5 Sub.

Ludovit Klein: 23-4-1, 9 KO/TKO, 8 Sub.

Gamrot has won three of his last five outings and has UFC victories over #1 ranked Lightweight Arman Tsarukyan (22-3-0), #11 ranked Lightweight Rafael Fiziev (12-4-0), and Rafael Dos Anjos (32-17-0). He is an exceptionally well-rounded fighter who is dangerous anywhere the fight goes. He’s in perpetual motion, staying technical and picking his shots before safely returning to range. Gamrot favors power to volume, throwing every shot with power and intent. He is a tenacious wrestler, refusing to give up on takedowns and never staying still on the ground, whether on top or bottom. Training at American Top Team, he’s landing, on average, over five takedowns per fifteen minutes and has successfully defended 90% of takedowns attempted on him in the UFC. A former KSW champion, Gamrot has excellent cardio and durability with plenty of five-round experience, and can comfortably push a consistent pace across fifteen minutes.

Ludovit Klein fires a vicious elbow at Roosevelt Roberts. Credit: MMA Mania.

Klein has won four of his last five fights with one draw, holding UFC victories over Mason Jones (16-2-0), Ignacio Bahamondes (17-5-0), and Thiago Moisés (19-9-0). He’s a powerful striker who loves to throw power shots and constant combinations. He remains technical throughout, keeping his shots straight and tight, and has landed 54% of the significant strikes he’s attempted in the UFC. Training at Spartakus Fight Gym, Klein throws everything with impressive speed and power, never telegraphing his shots and regularly adding head kicks at the end of punch combinations. He’s averaging nearly two takedowns landed per 15 minutes in his promotional tenure and is a solid wrestler. He’s tenacious and willing to work to get the fight to the mat, often chaining together takedown attempts. Klein has outlanded his opponent in 8 of his ten UFC fights and is always looking for a finish.

#4 Erin Blanchfield vs. #5 Maycee Barber

Erin Blanchfield brutally submits Molly McCann with a kimura. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Women’s Flyweight Bout

Erin Blanchfield: 13-2-0, 2 KO/TKO, 4 Sub.

Maycee Barber: 14-2-0, 6 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Blanchfield has won four of her last five bouts and has UFC victories over #7 ranked Flyweight Rose Namajunas (14-7-0), #9 ranked Flyweight Jéssica Andrade (26-14-0), and #11 ranked Flyweight Miranda Maverick (17-5-0). She’s a well-rounded fighter, possessing excellent technical kickboxing and fantastic grappling. She started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at 7, has a black belt, and is visibly experienced and comfortable on the ground. Blanchfield is tough to shake off, has excellent control, and often seems one step ahead of her opponent on the ground. Training at Silver Fox BJJ, she has excellent wrestling and averages about two takedowns landed per fifteen minutes in her UFC tenure. She is constantly advancing position when she does get it to the mat, either pursuing submissions or looking to posture and do damage. She works behind her jab on the feet, remaining technical and throwing in combination. Blanchfield has a solid arsenal of kicks and throws them all with impressive speed, possessing particularly dangerous high kicks.

Maycee Barber cracks Montana De La Rosa with a right hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Barber is on a six-fight win streak and holds UFC victories over #7 ranked Strawweight Amanda Ribas (13-6-0), #9 ranked Strawweight Gillian Robertson (16-8-0), and #11 ranked Flyweight Miranda Maverick (17-5-0). Training at Fort Collins MMA, Barber is an aggressive striker with solid power in both hands. She’s constantly switching stances and throwing looping shots, preferring power to volume. Barber will regularly look to close distance and enter the pocket, often dipping her head and blitzing forward while unloading hooks and overhands. She can do solid damage without much space, possessing excellent clinch striking, particularly her elbows and hands. She’s landing, on average, over one takedown per fifteen minutes and is willing to work along the fence to bring the fight to the mat. Barber will increase her brawling tendencies as the fight continues, choosing aggression over technicality and hunting for knockouts.

Best Bets

Zachary Reese by KO/TKO: A matchup of two powerful, dangerous strikers, I’m looking forward to this one. Both are very dangerous in the early goings, with a combined fourteen first-round finishes in 27 fights. Both fighters have just a single decision victory apiece, always leaving everything inside the cage. Although both are capable grapplers, I expect both men are looking to reassert their striking prowess following respective knockout losses. Beyond their various similarities, a key difference in these fighters is their size: Reese has a three-inch height and reach advantage. Todorović has repeatedly struggled against taller, longer fighters, possessing a height and reach disadvantage in four of his five UFC losses. Todorović also relies more on distance in his game plan, regularly looking to get out to range to throw kicks. With Reese constantly blitzing forward and looking to hang in the pocket, Todorović will not have many opportunities to sit on the outside and use his Taekwondo background. I expect Reese to come out guns blazing, force Todorović onto the back foot from the opening bell, let his hands go in the pocket, and ultimately, earn a knockout victory.

Mateusz Gamrot by Decision: This intriguing matchup of two high-level scrappers is expected to be highly competitive. Although both have well-rounded skillsets, they’re both specialists to an extent, with Gamrot being primarily a wrestler and Klein a kickboxer. This bout will be Klein’s first matchup with a ranked opponent, typically facing other up-and-coming talent like himself, most of whom have been strikers. Alternatively, in his five-year UFC tenure, Gamrot has gone toe-to-toe with some of the best talent the Lightweight division offers. Gamrot’s last six opponents were all ranked in the top 15 at the time of their meeting, with a solid mix of high-level strikers and grapplers. This matchup is a considerable step-up in competition for Klein, and although he has an impressive takedown defense percentage (92%), he’s never faced a grappler of the caliber of Gamrot. Klein will also likely struggle to work his kick-heavy offense, both from the risk of having his kicks caught and countered into takedowns, and from a lack of space from the constantly pressuring Gamrot. I expect Gamrot to stay in his face the entire fight, regularly pursuing takedowns and clinches while slowing the pace and making it ugly. I believe Gamrot will land multiple takedowns, control Klein on the ground, land damage from top position, and walk away with a solid victory on Saturday.

Erin Blanchfield by Decision: A fascinating matchup of two top-five fighters, the winner could find themselves in title contention. Both are outstanding fighters with very different styles. Blanchfield is a technician in all aspects, utilizing sharp, efficient kickboxing on the feet while regularly mixing in takedowns and working her outstanding BJJ game. Barber is much more of a brawler, constantly looking to blitz forward with power shots or do damage in the clinch. Although Barber has been in the UFC longer than Blanchfield, I believe Blanchfield has faced the tougher competition. After just two victories, Blanchfield was matched with ranked opponents and already owns two wins over former UFC champions. Barber has also shown a tendency to fade as fights go on. Considering this is her first five-round matchup and her failure to make weight on Friday, she's done little to instill confidence in her questionable endurance. I expect Barber to come out guns blazing, looking to land big punches and pursue an early finish. I expect Blanchfield to counter with efficient striking while mixing in multiple takedowns, wearing Barber down, and slowing the pace. As the fight continues, I expect Blanchfield to land multiple takedowns, control Barber on the ground, and earn a hard-fought victory.

UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales Preview

Gilbert Burns cracks Khamzat Chimaev with a left hand. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

The UFC returns to its headquarters at the APEX Center with an outstanding Fight Night card. This card is filled with top-notch matchups and outstanding fighters looking to make their name on the biggest stage in combat sports. In the co-main event, veteran grappling ace Paul Craig will take on the quickly rising newcomer Rodolfo Bellato. In the main event, perennial Welterweight contender Gilbert Burns faces a red-hot knockout artist in Michael Morales. Let’s take a look at the fights on the main card.

Julian Erosa vs. Melquizael Costa

Julian Erosa fires a left hook to the body of Charles Jourdain. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Featherweight Bout

Julian Erosa: 31-12-0, 12 KO/TKO, 14 Sub.

Melquizael Costa: 23-7-0, 7 KO/TKO, 8 Sub.

Erosa has won three of his last five fights and has wins over Hakeem Dawodu (13-4-1), Charles Jourdain (16-8-1), and Nate Landwehr (18-6-0). He utilizes an awkward style on the feet, staying upright with his hands down and throwing lots of looping hooks from strange angles. He is seemingly always moving forward, whether to initiate a grappling exchange or land strikes, and has the cardio to do so over three rounds easily. Erosa is willing to get into brawls on the feet, gladly hanging in the pocket and exchanging combinations. Training at Xtreme Couture, he averages over one takedown landed per fifteen minutes and is a slick submission artist, with two UFC victories via D’arce choke, one of which was standing. He has proven to be a bit of a slow starter, but he heats up as the fight goes on. Erosa has secured over half of his finishes after the first round and is always dangerous.

Melquizael Costa batters Christian Rodriguez with a step-in elbow. Credit: MMA Mania.

Costa has won four of his last five bouts, with UFC victories coming over Christian Rodriguez (12-3-0), Shayilan Nuerdanbieke (39-12-0), and Andre Fili (24-12-0). He’s a well-rounded scrapper with impressive power in his hands and excellent grappling. He has an outstanding arsenal of kicks, regularly unloading powerful shots to the head and body from range before blitzing into the pocket to throw power punches. Training at Chute Boxe JE, Costa typically doesn’t absorb much damage, utilizing solid footwork, head movement, and distance management to remain elusive. He’s averaging nearly two takedowns landed and over one submission attempted per fifteen minutes and is very active on the ground, whether in top or bottom position. He’s constantly looking to improve or posture up and has outstanding sweeps and reversals. Costa is most dangerous early on, with nine of his fifteen finish victories coming in round one.

Dustin Stoltzfus vs. Nursulton Ruziboev

Dustin Stoltzfus unloads brutal ground and pound shots onto Marc-André Barriault. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Middleweight Bout

Dustin Stoltzfus: 16-6-0, 3 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

Nursulton Ruziboev: 35-9-2, 13 KO/TKO, 20 Sub.

Stoltzfus has won three of his last five outings and has UFC victories over Dwight Grant (11-6-0), Punahele Soriano (11-4-0), and Marc-André Barriault (17-9-0). He’s a solid wrestler with impressive power who’s always willing to engage in the pocket. He won’t rush on the feet, favoring power to volume and tending to throw kicks at range. Stoltzfus has good distance management and is always coming forward, often using his striking to close the distance and pursue takedowns. He’s averaging over two takedowns landed per fifteen minutes and is capable of brutal slams. Training at Xtreme Couture, he advances quickly on top and has solid top pressure, rarely letting his opponent out from under him. Stoltzfus has heavy ground and pound and a slick submission game, holding a victory via twister on his record.

Nursulton Ruziboev fires a powerful right hand at Brunno Ferreira. MMA Fighting.

Ruziboev has won four of his last five fights, with UFC victories coming over Brunno Ferreira (13-2-0), Eric McConico (9-3-1), and Sedriques Dumas (10-3-0). On the feet, he throws a lot of single shots with plenty of power and loves to throw flashy spinning kicks. He’s constantly pressing forward and will typically pursue takedowns early, often using his wild offense to set up his wrestling. Ruziboev has a dangerous submission game and can finish the fight on top or off his back. He’s highly active on the ground and never stops moving, but he is much more of a wild man than a technician and can put himself in bad spots. Training at Renzo Gracie Philly, he’s always looking to finish the fight, often choosing not to defend takedowns to pursue a kimura instead. Ruziboev has heavy ground-and-pound and has excellent sweeps and reversals if he finds himself in bottom position.

Sodiq Yusuff vs. Mairon Santos

Sodiq Yusuff blasts Alex Caceres with a damaging leg kick. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Lightweight Bout

Sodiq Yusuff: 13-4-0, 6 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Mairon Santos: 16-1-0, 8 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Yusuff has won two of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over Alex Caceres (21-15-0), Andre Fili (24-12-0), and Gabriel Benítez (23-13-0). Yusuff is a powerful striker in constant pursuit of a knockout. He favors power to volume, fighting behind his jab before blitzing into the pocket to unload hooks and overhands. Training with Team Lloyd Irvin, Yusuff varies his shots well, attacking the head, body, and legs with equal brutality. He will occasionally pursue takedowns and is strong in the clinch, but he’ll typically look to keep it standing. He’s highly explosive, not utilizing much footwork or movement before suddenly letting his hands go. He has solid cardio and carries his power throughout the fight, but has secured five of his seven finishes in the first round and is most dangerous early on.

Mairon Santos looks to land ground and pound shots after dropping Kaan Ofli. Credit: MMA Mania.

Santos has won four of his last five outings, with UFC victories coming over Kaan Ofli (12-4-1) and Francis Marshall (8-3-0). The winner of The Ultimate Fighter 32, He’s a dangerous striker with excellent power and footwork. He’s always moving, fighting behind his jab, and throwing everything in combination while looking to control the center. Santos is excellent at mixing up his shots, attacking the head, body, and legs evenly, and regularly mixing kicks into combinations. Training at Xtreme Couture, he’s dangerous at range and in the pocket, able to land significant damage from anywhere. He has solid takedown defense and won’t accept position on his back, always working hard to get the fight back to the feet. Santos heats up as the fight continues, carrying his power across all fifteen minutes, always remaining dangerous.

Rodolfo Bellato vs. Paul Craig

Rodolfo Bellato charges towards Jimmy Crute while unloading punches. Credit: MMA Mania.

Light Heavyweight Bout

Rodolfo Bellato: 12-2-1, 7 KO/TKO, 4 Sub.

Paul Craig: 17-9-1, 4 KO/TKO, 13 Sub.

Bellato has won four of his last five fights with one draw and has a UFC victory over Ihor Potieria (20-8-0). He’s a heavy-handed scrapper who’s comfortable anywhere the fight goes. He throws every shot with power and often headhunts, regularly closing the distance and firing powerful hooks at his opponent. Bellato can throw with power and volume but won’t get wild, remaining technical and carrying his power throughout the fight. He heats up as the fight continues, often taking some damage early before letting his hands go. Training with Team Nogueira, he has outstanding clinch striking and can do severe damage without much space, particularly with his elbows and knees. Bellato has proven exceptionally durable and capable of surviving in deep waters, always willing to eat a shot to land one while constantly pressuring forward.

Paul Craig brutally submits and breaks the arm of Jamahal Hill. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Craig has won one of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over Light Heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev (21-1-1), #4 ranked Light Heavyweight Jamahal Hill (12-3-0), and #10 ranked Light Heavyweight Nikita Krylov (30-10-0). He’s one of the most accomplished grapplers in the UFC, holding the UFC Light Heavyweight record for triangles with four and the second most Performance of the Night bonuses ever, with 8. He’s a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and is comfortable anywhere on the ground, whether on his back or on top. Training at Higher Level Martial Arts, Craig is highly experienced and always remains calm and technical on the ground, never rushing or putting himself in dangerous spots. On the feet, he tends to throw kicks at range and looks to close the distance and get the fight to the mat. He finds submissions quickly on top and bottom and is very tough to get away from on the ground. Craig is highly durable and can find submissions even in the deepest waters.

#8 Gilbert Burns vs. #12 Michael Morales

Gilbert Burns cracks Belal Muhammad with a right hand. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Welterweight Bout

Gilbert Burns: 22-8-0, 6 KO/TKO, 9 Sub.

Michael Morales: 17-0-0, 12 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Burns has won two of his last five bouts, with UFC victories coming over #11 ranked Welterweight Stephen Thompson (17-8-1), Neil Magny (29-14-0), and Jorge Masvidal (35-17-0). He’s a decorated grappler with serious power in his hands and is always pursuing a finish. He’s always moving on his feet, constantly looking to close the distance, dip his head, and unleash brutal overhands. Burns has explosive takedowns, excellent top control, and a fantastic submission game. Training at Kill Cliff FC, he has a granite chin and pushes a consistent pace across all 15 minutes. He favors power to volume, throwing everything with knockout intentions, and is always willing to brawl inside the pocket. Burns has been in the promotion for over a decade and is dangerous wherever the fight goes.

Michael Morales lunges into a knee to the head of Jake Matthews. Credit: MMA Mania.

Morales comes into this fight undefeated, with UFC victories over Jake Matthews (21-7-0), Max Griffin (20-11-0), and Neil Magny (29-14-0). He’s a technical kickboxer who remains patient and waits for openings to damage his opponent. He throws everything in combination, remaining technical throughout and always setting up his attacks with his jab. Morales often blitzes forward to throw long, devastating hooks and straights before quickly returning to range. Training at Entram Gym, he’s a well-rounded grappler, averaging over a takedown landed per fifteen minutes, and has defended 92% of takedowns attempted on him in the UFC. He’s shown great calmness when put in tough spots, able to survive on his back and return the fight to where he’s most comfortable. Morales has outstruck all his UFC opponents, landing, on average, about 60 significant strikes per fight.

Best Bets

Sodiq Yusuff Moneyline: This is an intriguing matchup of two skilled strikers that will surely have fireworks. Both are dangerous on the feet but with differing styles: Yusuff tends to favor his hands and his power, throwing naked kicks at range before entering the pocket to unload power shots. Santos has a similar pace, but tends to stay at range and utilize his kicks and volume striking. Although Santos is an excellent fighter, this is a massive step-up in competition: Yusuff has been in the UFC since 2018 and faced plenty of high-level opponents. Santos has only had one actual UFC fight, with his UFC debut being the finale of The Ultimate Fighter. Both fighters are coming up to Lightweight for this matchup, and considering Yusuff already has the size and power advantage, that won’t be doing Santos any favor. I anticipate this fight to start quickly, with both fighters coming out looking for a finish. I expect this matchup to primarily play out on the feet, with Yusuff getting the better of Santos inside the pocket while controlling the center of the octagon. Ultimately, I think Yusuff is too much too soon for Santos, and will walk away with the victory on Saturday.

Rodolfo Bellato by KO/TKO: This is a matchup of two Light Heavyweights with very different styles. Bellato, while well-rounded, often finds himself in wild brawls where he relies on his power and durability. Craig is practically a pure grappler, possessing limited skills on the feet but an ability to secure submissions from anywhere, whether on top or bottom. Getting the fight to the mat is generally Craig’s path to victory, something I anticipate him struggling with against Bellato. Although he’s only had two UFC fights, he’s denied all takedowns attempted on him and possesses a black belt in BJJ. Assuming Bellato can keep the fight standing, he’ll have a massive advantage in power and technique. Even if it ends up on the ground, I believe Bellato can survive any submission attempts and return to his feet. I expect Bellato to deny multiple takedown attempts early on, keep coming forward, and ultimately earn the knockout victory.

Burns vs. Morales Over 3.5 Rounds: An outstanding matchup of two well-rounded fighters is a great way to close the card. Although both are comfortable anywhere the fight goes, they have very different styles. Burns is a brawler with outstanding BJJ, utilizing the power in his hands while mixing in takedowns and submission attempts. Morales is a much more technical striker, remaining elusive on the feet while occasionally mixing in takedowns along the fence, using his Judo background. Despite both fighters being prolific finishers, I’d be surprised if either came out guns blazing in this matchup. Burns is on a tough three-fight losing streak and needs a big win, so I expect him to use a much more measured, precise game plan. Burns is easily the most challenging, highest-level opponent Morales has ever faced, so I expect him to fight very technically and cautiously. Beyond the striking exchanges, Burns seemingly has a grappling advantage, and I anticipate him regularly mixing in takedown attempts, slowing the pace, and trying to wear down Morales. Given the toughness and skills of both of these fighters, I’m confident this fight will last at least three and a half rounds.

UFC 315 Preview

Belal Muhammad looks to set up a choke while controlling Leon Edwards. Credit: MMA Junkie.

The UFC ventures to the Bell Centre in Montréal, Canada, with an outstanding pay-per-view card. From the opening bell, this card is stacked with exciting matchups, rising contenders, and crafty veterans looking for a victory on Saturday night. In the co-main event, we’ll see women’s Flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko defend her belt against red-hot French prospect Manon Fiorot. We’re blessed with another title fight in the main event, in which powerful grappler and Welterweight champion Belal Muhammad defends his title for the first time against the heavy-handed Jack Della Maddalena. Let’s take a look at the fights on the main card.

Benoît Saint Denis vs. Kyle Prepolec

Benoît Saint Denis blasts Thiago Moisés with a powerful elbow. Credit: MMA Mania.

Lightweight Bout

Benoît Saint Denis: 13-3-0, 4 KO/TKO, 9 Sub.

Kyle Prepolec: 18-8-0, 10 KO/TKO, 4 Sub.

Saint Denis has won three of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Ismael Bonfim (20-5-0), Thiago Moisés (19-8-0), and Matt Frevola (11-5-1). A well-rounded scrapper, he’s constantly pressing forward with heavy kicks and throwing bombs. He throws everything with fight-ending intentions and uses his striking to get inside and pursue takedowns. Saint Denis is an excellent grappler, holding a black belt in Judo, a brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and a great variety of submissions on his record. Training at CYFIT, he typically secures takedowns quickly and has heavy top control, always choosing position over submission and rarely putting himself in risky spots. Whether on the feet or the mat, he’s always trying to end the fight and remains dangerous throughout. A decorated veteran and former Special Forces paratrooper, Saint Denis is incredibly tough and capable of enduring impressive damage.

Kyle Prepolec exchanges blows with Nordine Taleb. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Prepolec has won four of his last five bouts and is returning to the UFC after his release in 2019. He’s a powerful striker with dangerous kicks who’s always coming forward. He’s a very measured striker, throwing every shot with power and purpose while picking his spots. Prepolec has great head movement and distance management, regularly blitzing in and out of the pocket while looking to counterstrike. He has outstanding kicks, particularly to the head, and won’t telegraph them, regularly mixing them into and at the end of combinations. He won’t typically initiate grappling exchanges, but has solid takedown defense and can defend shots along the fence and in open space. Prepolec typically gets off to a quick start and maintains a consistent pace, securing his last three victories all via first-round knockout. 

#1 Alexa Grasso vs. #5 Natalia Silva

Alexa Grasso submits Valentina Shevchenko with a vicious rear naked choke. Credit: Yahoo Sports.

Women’s Flyweight

Alexa Grasso: 16-4-1, 4 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Natalia Silva: 18-5-1, 5 KO/TKO, 7 Sub.

Grasso has won three of her last five outings with one draw and has wins over Flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko (24-4-1),  #4 ranked Flyweight Maycee Barber (14-2-0), #8 ranked Flyweight Viviane Araújo (13-6-0). She is an excellent technical boxer who throws everything purposefully and in combination. She’s aggressive but not wild, staying technical and using timing and accuracy to damage her opponents. Grasso has a solid chin and is dangerous inside the pocket, but is also defensively sound, having defended 58% of significant strikes attempted on her in the UFC. She holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is always dangerous on the ground. She’s constantly working, looking to posture up and land damage while threatening submissions. Grasso is a volume striker with excellent cardio, pushing a heavy pace throughout and landing, on average, 66 significant strikes per fight in her last five appearances.

Natalia Silva lands a brutal kick to the face of Jéssica Andrade. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Silva is on a twelve-fight win streak and has UFC victories over #7 ranked Flyweight Jéssica Andrade (26-13-0), #8 ranked Flyweight Viviane Araújo (13-6-0), #9 ranked Flyweight Jasmine Jasudavicius (13-3-0). She is a fantastic striker with lightning-fast kicks and excellent footwork. She’s constantly feinting with her hips and switching stances, making her wildly unpredictable. Silva is highly accurate and throws every shot with power and purpose, usually starting or ending combinations with kicks. Training with Team Borracha, she does an excellent job of holding the center, constantly moving in and out of the pocket without absorbing damage. She’s willing to grapple but tends to keep it on the feet, having defended 91% of takedowns attempted on her in the UFC. Silva pushes a fast pace across the entire fight, but will remain technical throughout.

#11 José Aldo vs. #15 Aiemann Zahabi

José Aldo lands a stinging left hand on Pedro Munhoz. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Bantamweight Bout

José Aldo: 32-9-0, 17 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Aiemann Zahabi: 12-2-0, 6 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Aldo has won three of his last five fights, with UFC victories coming over #7 ranked Bantamweight Marlon Vera (23-10-1), #8 ranked Bantamweight Rob Font (22-8-0), and #10 ranked Lightweight Renato Moicano (20-6-1). Widely considered the Featherweight GOAT, he is a legend of the sport, holding eight victories in UFC title fights and over two decades of experience. He’s an excellent technical striker who throws everything with power and in combination. Training at Nova União, Aldo utilizes a mix of devastating leg kicks and punch combinations to batter his opponent. He is one of the best defensive wrestlers of all time and has defended 92% of takedowns attempted on him, dating back to his time in the WEC. He has excellent submissions, heavy ground and pound, and smothering top pressure when the fight goes to the mat. Aldo is one of the most vicious strikers in the history of MMA and is always hunting for a finish.

Faras Zahabi blasts Ricky Turcious with a thudding head kick. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Zahabi is on a five-fight winning streak and has UFC victories over Javid Basharat (14-2-0), Pedro Munhoz (20-10-0), and Aoriqileng (25-12-0). Zahabi is a sharp striker with crisp boxing and solid power in his hands. He’s highly technical, always keeping his guard high and his punches tight and straight, rarely getting drawn into a brawl. He favors power to volume but is highly explosive, often going from 0-60 on a moment’s notice and extending five or six punch combinations. He has excellent footwork and distance management, remaining in perpetual motion while darting in and out of the pocket without taking damage. Training at TriStar Gym, he’s unlikely to take the fight to the mat but has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and excellent takedown defense. Zahabi has secured all his finishes in round one, but heats up as the fight continues, steadily increasing his pace and output.

(C) Valentina Shevchenko vs. #2 Manon Fiorot

Valentina Shevchenko cracks Alexa Grasso with a powerful left hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Women’s Flyweight Title Bout

Valentina Shevchenko: 24-4-1, 8 KO/TKO, 7 Sub.

Manon Fiorot: 12-1-0, 6 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Shevchenko has won three of her last five fights with one draw and has UFC victories over Bantamweight champion Julianna Peña (12-5-0), #1 ranked Flyweight Alexa Grasso (16-4-1), and #7 ranked Flyweight Jéssica Andrade (26-13-0). She holds black belts in Taekwondo and Judo and the rank of Master of Sports in Taekwondo, Judo, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and Boxing. One of the best strikers in the sport, she always throws in combination and has excellent power and speed in her hands and kicks. Training at Tiger Muay Thai, Shevchenko does a great job of evenly varying her shots, attacking the head, body, and legs. She’s landed, on average, over four takedowns per fight in her last five appearances and has excellent top control, ground and pound, and chokes. She does everything with impressive speed and has excellent distance management, rarely staying in the pocket long enough to get hit. One of the most prolific champions in UFC history, she has the most fight time, title victories, takedowns landed, and knockout wins in the Women’s Flyweight division, along with many other records.

Manon Fiorot blitzes towards Rose Namajunas with a left hand. Credit: MMA Mania.

Fiorot is on a 12-fight win streak and has UFC victories coming over #3 ranked Flyweight Erin Blanchfield (13-2-0), #7 ranked Flyweight Rose Namajunas (13-6-0), and #8 ranked Bantamweight Mayra Bueno Silva (10-5-1). She is an efficient, karate-style fighter with serious power and speed. She uses her lead leg excellently, constantly throwing side and head kicks without telegraphing. Fiorot is in perpetual motion and has solid output, but is very accurate and throws everything purposefully. Training with the Boxing Squad, she has excellent footwork and effortlessly moves in and out of the pocket. She has outlanded seven of her eight UFC opponents and has successfully defended 68% of the strikes attempted on her in the promotion. Fiorot has landed at least one takedown in six of her seven UFC wins, has solid wrestling, and will rain down ground and pound shots when in top position.

(C) Belal Muhammad vs. #5 Jack Della Maddalena

Belal Muhammad unloads ground and pound strikes onto Stephen Thompson. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Welterweight Title Bout

Belal Muhammad: 24-3-0, 5 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Jack Della Maddalena: 17-2-0, 12 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Muhammad is on a 10-fight win streak with one draw and has UFC victories over #1 ranked Welterweight Sean Brady (18-1-0), #3 ranked Welterweight Leon Edwards (22-5-0), and #8 ranked Welterweight Gilbert Burns (22-8-0). Primarily a wrestler, he prefers to take the fight to the mat, using blast double-leg takedowns to drag his opponents to the floor and do damage. He has heavy top pressure, advances position quickly, and never puts himself in dangerous spots. On the feet, Muhammad uses a heavy-handed boxing style, remaining technical and throwing in combination, often using his striking to set up his grappling. Training at Valle Flow Striking, he’s landing, on average, about 80 significant strikes per fight in his last five outings and pushes a consistent pace throughout. He’s exceptionally defensively sound, having defended 89% of takedowns and 57% of strikes attempted on him in the UFC. Muhammad has outstruck eight of his last ten opponents and is always looking to wear down and outpace his foe.

Jack Della Maddalena lands a perfectly-timed knee to the face of Gilbert Burns. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Maddalena is on a seventeen-fight win streak and has UFC victories over #8 ranked Welterweight Gilbert Burns (22-8-0), Kevin Holland (27-13-0), and Randy Brown (20-6-0). He is an excellent striker with technical boxing and bricks for hands who carries power going forward and backward. He’s outlanded seven of his eight UFC opponents, using excellent distance management and head movement to batter his adversaries while remaining elusive. Maddalena throws everything in combination and excels at changing levels, attacking the head and body evenly. He’s an exceptionally defensively sound striker, always keeping his guard high and tight, and has defended 66% of strikes thrown at him. Training at Scrappy MMA, he fights behind his jab and often strings together long, seven or 8-piece combinations that badly damage his opponent. While Maddalena won’t usually go to the ground, he’s shown great scrambles, takedown defense, and an ability to escape deep waters.

Best Bets

Aldo vs. Zahabi to Go the Distance: This is a fascinating matchup of a rising prospect and an established legend. Zahabi has quietly been racking up solid victories and impressive performances en route to this matchup. Meanwhile, Aldo is one of the greatest Featherweights of all time and is looking to get back in the win column after a tough loss. Although Zahabi possesses knockout power, he typically has a reserved, technical style and will gradually increase his pace and output as the fight continues. Similarly, Aldo can produce flash finishes but is a very technical striker, often slowly breaking down his opponents with leg kicks and body shots. While I certainly wouldn’t consider either of them gun-shy, this will likely be a slower-paced, competitive striking match with both fighters respecting the other’s power. I anticipate a feeling-out process to start the fight, with both fighters looking to establish their distance and timing while looking for openings. I expect the fight to stay standing, with both men remaining where they’re most comfortable, and for three complete rounds of high-level striking to take place.

Valentina Shevchenko Moneyline: The first of two title fights on the main card, I’m looking forward to this one. Fiorot has been on an impressive, undefeated run in the UFC, largely utilizing her technical striking to realize those victories. Shevchenko is arguably the greatest female Flyweight of all time, with twelve of her last thirteen fights having gold on the line. Although they may initially appear to have similar styles, they’re very different fighters. Both are typically viewed as strikers, but their striking styles are vastly different: Fiorot uses a traditional, karate-like style, constantly bouncing and throwing shots with her front hand and foot. Shevchenko is more of a classical Muay Thai striker, utilizing all her limbs and throwing heavy combinations. Shevchenko also has a more well-rounded style, regularly pursuing and landing multiple takedowns, having landed eight takedowns in her last appearance. Fiorot seems to use her grappling to remain unpredictable; although she’s landed a takedown in six of her seven UFC fights, she’s never had more than 4:05 of control time. Fiorot has also never faced an opponent with Shevchenko’s grappling prowess, particularly not a grappler with both wrestling and submission abilities. I expect the fight to open with a few close striking exchanges before Shevchenko starts mixing in her grappling. I anticipate Shevchenko will control the pace and distance of the fight, hold the center of the octagon, land multiple takedowns, gett the best of the striking, and defend her title successfully.

Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena Over 4.5 Rounds: An outstanding matchup of two of the best in the Welterweight division, this title fight is an excellent way to close the card. This is a classic matchup of striker vs. grappler; Maddalena favors a boxing style, utilizing his power and handspeed to get the job done, while Muhammad uses his wrestling and strength to control and drain his opponents. Muhammad has boldly claimed he will not shoot a takedown in this fight, but given the matchup and apparent striking advantage of Maddalena, I’d be surprised if he follows through on that. This will be a very close, competitive fight regardless of Muhammad's game plan. Although Maddalena is an outstanding striker, his takedown defense isn’t infallible, with Gilbert Burns taking him down seven times in his last outing. So while I expect plenty of exchanges on the feet, Muhammad will likely land takedowns and slow the fight's pace with smothering top control. I also expect Maddalena to be a bit more measured on the feet in an effort not to create takedown openings, which also slows the pace. Ultimately, I do expect this fight to be entertaining, but if there is a finish, I see it coming later in the fight, and I expect this scrap to last at least past the halfway point of round 5.

UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo

Cory Sandhagen launches into a flying knee attempt on Marlon Vera. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

The UFC heads to the Wells Fargo Center in Des Moines, Iowa, with a fantastic Fight Night card. This card is filled from top to bottom with exciting matchups, established veterans, and impressive newcomers all looking to earn a victory on Saturday night. In the co-main event, two outstanding grapplers go toe-to-toe when Bo Nickal faces Reinier de Ridder. In the main event, perennial Bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen will take on the former Flyweight champion, Deiveson Figueiredo. Let’s take a look at the fights on the main card.

Jeremy Stephens vs. Mason Jones

Jeremy Stephens unloads ground and pound onto Dooho Choi. Credit: Essentially Sports.

Lightweight Bout

Jeremy Stephens: 29-21-0, 19 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Mason Jones: 15-2-0, 7 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Stephens is making his return to MMA after a successful three-year run in BKFC, where he scored notable victories over Eddie Alvarez and Jimmie Rivera. He was formerly a member of the UFC roster from 2007 to 2021, in which time he was awarded 10 post-fight bonuses and scored the second most knockdowns in UFC history. He’s a heavy-handed striker who’s constantly coming forward and throwing bombs. Stephens throws everything with power and in combination, regularly unloading looping hooks and heavy overhands. Training at Alliance MMA, he’s unlikely to initiate grappling exchanges but has solid takedown defense and a purple belt in BJJ. He tends to favor his hands but will throw heavy leg kicks from range and varies his punches well, attacking the head and body evenly. Stephens earned 8 of his fifteen victories during his initial UFC tenure via knockout and is always in pursuit of a finish.

Mason Jones fires a right hand at Adam Proctor. Credit: Cage Warriors.

Jones has won four of his last five fights and is returning to the UFC after three years in Cage Warriors. He’s a well-rounded scrapper who’s willing to engage the fight anywhere. He holds black belts in Judo and BJJ, but is comfortable fighting on his feet, primarily utilizing his stand-up abilities to secure his recent victories. Jones holds the center of the cage well and is constantly pressing forward while unloading crisp combinations. He will regularly throw kicks from range and at the end of punch combinations, occasionally mixing in some flashy spinning kicks. Training at Pedro Bessa BJJ, he averaged over three takedowns per fifteen minutes in his initial UFC tenure and defended 80% of takedowns attempted on him. Jones has finished three of his four consecutive victories via knockout, and heats up as the fight continues. 

Cameron Smotherman vs. Serhiy Sidey

Cameron Smotherman fires a jab at Jake Hadley. Credit: Getty Images.

Bantamweight Bout

Cameron Smotherman: 12-4-0, 6 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Serhiy Sidey: 11-2-0, 7 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Smotherman has won four of his last five bouts and has a UFC victory over Jake Hadley (12-4-0). He’s a powerful, technical striker who’s always dangerous. He maintains a consistent pace and has excellent cardiovascular endurance, easily carrying his power and speed across three rounds. Smotherman has power in both hands and tends to headhunt, throwing every shot with knockout intentions. He’s most comfortable on his feet but is a competent defensive grappler, possessing solid chokes, and is capable of surviving off his back. He can do significant damage without much space, especially with his knees, which he’ll throw regularly. Smotherman has one-shot knockout power and can create a highlight finish at any time. 

Serhiy Sidey cracks Garret Armfield with a right hand. Credit: The Canadian Press.

Sidey has won four of his last five outings, with a UFC victory coming over Garrett Armfield (10-5-0). He’s a dangerous striker with power in his hands and solid chokes. He fights behind his jab and keeps his punches straight while regularly throwing kicks from range. Sidey is constantly looking to land damage inside the pocket, particularly with his elbows and knees. He’s comfortable on his feet but is willing to grapple and will continuously pursue chokes if his opponent attempts a takedown. Training at the Burlington Training Centre, he’s always willing to exchange on the inside but will mix in some flashy strikes like jumping knees and spinning backfists. Sidey can maintain a solid pace throughout the fight and has secured half of his finishes after the first round. 

#15 Montel Jackson vs. Daniel Marcos

Montel Jackson unloads ground and pound shots onto Da’Mon Blackshear. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Bantamweight Bout

Montel Jackson: 14-2-0, 8 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Daniel Marcos: 17-0-0, 8 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Jackson is on a five-fight win streak and has UFC victories over Da’Mon Blackshear (17-7-1), Julio Arce (19-6-0), and Rani Yahya (28-12-1). He’s a well-rounded fighter with one-punch knockout power and excellent wrestling skills. He won’t telegraph punches, throwing every shot with impressive speed and power while remaining technical and picking his spots. Jackson will regularly blitz forward to unload a quick combination of straights and hooks before returning to range unscathed. He’s landing, on average, over three takedowns per fifteen minutes in the UFC and will constantly look to posture up and land damage when in top position. He’s highly elusive and defensively sound, rarely absorbing much damage and typically staying out of the pocket where he can use his length. Jackson has outlanded all of his UFC opponents and has scored at least one knockdown in seven consecutive fights.

Daniel Marcos blasts Saimon Oliveira with a powerful right hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Marcos is undefeated and has UFC victories over Davey Grant (16-7-0), John Castaneda (21-8-0), and Adrian Yañez (17-6-0). He’s a powerful, accurate striker who’s always coming forward. He has excellent distance management and footwork, regularly moving in and out of the pocket without taking much damage. Marcos always remains technical, keeping his punches tight and straight while never telegraphing or overextending. He has particularly dangerous knees and will constantly mix them into combinations, both to the body and head. Training at American Combat Gym, he won’t typically initiate grappling exchanges but has shown solid takedown defense and is strong in the clinch. Marcos has serious power in his hands and tends to increase his pace as the fight continues, scoring five of his eight knockouts after round one.

Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Daniel Rodriguez

Santiago Ponzinibbio pops Miguel Baeza with a jab. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Welterweight Bout

Santiago Ponzinibbio: 31-8-0, 17 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

Daniel Rodriguez: 18-5-0, 8 KO/TKO, 4 Sub.

Ponzinibbio has won two of his last five fights, with UFC wins coming over Neil Magny (29-14-0), Carlston Harris (19-7-0), and Alex Morono (24-12-0). Training at American Top Team, he is an impressive striker with serious power, using various unpredictable attacks to get the job done. He has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a solid submission game, but is unlikely to take the fight to the mat. Ponzinibbio remains technical throughout the fight and is comfortable fighting at range and in the pocket. Averaging about 66 significant strikes landed per fight in his last five bouts, he has a great chin, solid cardio, and can push a consistent pace across 15 minutes. An established veteran, He has been a pro since 2008 and is comfortable in any position. Fifteen of Ponzinibbio’s 23 career finishes have come in the first round, so he’s very dangerous early on.

Daniel Rodriguez fires a head kick at Li Jingliang. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Rodriguez has won two of his last bouts and has UFC victories over Mike Perry (14-8-0), Tim Means (33-17-1), and Li Jingliang (19-9-0). He’s a technical Muay Thai striker who favors kicks over punches. He remains composed throughout the fight, fighting behind his jab and constantly pursuing a finish without getting sloppy. Training at Xtreme Couture, Rodriguez has excellent movement and footwork, attacking from different angles with a variety of strikes. He has swift kicks, usually throwing to the legs at the beginning and end of combinations. He’s proven highly durable, regularly surviving in deep waters and finding his way back into fights. Rodriguez is unlikely to initiate grappling exchanges but has solid takedown defense and does an excellent job of getting back to his feet, where he’s most comfortable.

#13 Reinier de Ridder vs. Bo Nickal

Reinier de Ridder submits Gerald Meerschaert with an arm triangle choke. Credit: MMA Mania.

Middleweight Bout

Reinier de Ridder: 19-2-0, 4 KO/TKO, 13 Sub.

Bo Nickal: 7-0-0, 2 KO/TKO, 4 Sub.

De Ridder has won three of his last five outings, with UFC victories over Gerald Meerschaert (37-18-0) and Kevin Holland (27-13-0). He’s a former ONE Championship Middleweight and Light Heavyweight champion and is an outstanding, dangerous grappler. He has an awkward striking style, remaining upright, fighting behind his jab, and throwing kicks at range before closing the distance. De Ridder is powerful in the clinch and constantly looks for body lock and trip takedowns, often from the opening bell. He has heavy top control and is continually attacking and improving in top position, fluidly moving from position to position. He has black belts in Judo and BJJ and uses ground and pound to wear down his opponent and create submission openings, typically pursuing chokes. De Ridder pushes a consistent pace throughout, but has found nine of his thirteen submissions in round one and is most dangerous early on.

Bo Nickal locks in a rear naked choke on Cody Brundage. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Nickal is undefeated and has UFC victories over Paul Craig (17-9-1), Val Woodburn (7-2-0), and Cody Brundage (11-6-0). He is a former three-time NCAA D1 collegiate wrestling champion who is very comfortable in the Octagon despite his inexperience in MMA. Unsurprisingly, he is an excellent grappler who will shoot early and secure an advantageous position very quickly. Nickal transitions at lightning speed on the ground and pursues submissions immediately once the fight hits the mat, using excellent top control to secure a finish. Training at American Top Team, his constant wrestling threat makes him very unpredictable on the feet. He has solid power in his hands and good distance management. Nickal has only been to one decision and has produced three finishes in less than a minute.

#4 Cory Sandhagen vs. #5 Deiveson Figueiredo

Cory Sandhagen stuns Marlon Vera with a left hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Bantamweight Bout

Cory Sandhagen: 17-5-0, 7 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Deiveson Figueiredo: 24-4-1, 9 KO/TKO, 9 Sub.

Sandhagen has won three of his last five fights and has UFC victories over #6 ranked Bantamweight Song Yadong (22-8-1), #7 ranked Bantamweight Marlon Vera (23-10-1), and #8 ranked Bantamweight Rob Font (22-8-0). He is a top-level striker, constantly moving and setting traps for his opponent. He can land damage from range with his arsenal of kicks or on the inside with devastating knees and elbows. Training with Elevation Fight Team, Sandhagen has excellent cardio and can push a heavy pace across five rounds while remaining technical and keeping his strikes straight and tight. He’s constantly switching stances and never telegraphs his shots, regularly mixing kicks in at the end of punch combinations. He’s willing to grapple and will pursue takedowns, has solid top control, and rarely puts himself in bad positions on the ground. Sandhagen has only lost to current or former champions in his UFC tenure and will go toe-to-toe with anybody.

Deiveson Figueiredo blasts Brandon Moreno with a powerful uppercut. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Figueiredo has won four of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over #2 ranked Flyweight Brandon Moreno (23-8-2), #7 ranked Bantamweight Marlon Vera (23-10-1), and #8 ranked Bantamweight Rob Font (22-8-0). He has devastating power in his hands, constantly unloading brutal combinations onto his opponents. He used this power to tear through the Flyweight division, holding the most knockdowns in Flyweight history with 11, and is tied for the most finishes at Flyweight, with 7. Training with Team Figueiredo, he is willing to engage in the fight anywhere, has a solid guard on the bottom, and is highly dangerous in top position. He moves impressively fast on the mat, often securing submissions with blinding speed. He quickly closes the distance on the feet and can land severe damage without much space, usually with his hands. Figueiredo constantly pursues a finish but has solid cardio and can comfortably go 25 minutes if needed.

Best Bets

Cameron Smotherman Moneyline: This is an intriguing matchup of two UFC newcomers looking to make their name with a landmark victory. Both are talented strikers but utilize different styles: Smotherman is more of a technical boxer, whereas Sidey is much less orthodox, typically favoring his elbows and knees. Although Sidey has the reach advantage in this matchup, he seems most comfortable inside the pocket, which benefits the shorter Smotherman. Smotherman also has excellent distance management and head movement, typically forcing his opponents onto the back foot and to the outside of the octagon. This will present issues for Sidey, who does most of his damage by quickly crashing into the pocket with forward momentum. Sidey also tends to fade and get wilder as the fight continues, while Smotherman remains sharp and technical throughout. I expect Smotherman to weather the storm of Sidey, maintain control of the center of the cage, and use precise striking to earn the victory.

Bo Nickal Moneyline: We’ll see two top-level grapplers collide in this matchup. Although both are outstanding on the mat, they excel in different styles; de Ridder is much more of a BJJ-based grappler, whereas Nickal is a true wrestler. Although neither is a prolific striker, I believe the odd tendencies and awkwardness of de Ridder’s striking are to the benefit of Nickal. De Ridder tends to leave his chin straight up or try to pull his head back out of the way of strikes, as opposed to slipping to the side. Nickal is constantly hunting for overhands on the feet, and if de Ridder regularly leaves his chin up, those shots will be there for Nickal. Also, given Nickal's wrestling advantage, de Ridder will likely have a tough time landing his takedowns, something he typically relies on heavily. Although it was against a much larger opponent in Anatoly Malykhin, we’ve seen de Ridder completely gas out and give up if all his takedowns are denied. I don’t believe Nickal has to take this fight to the mat, and realistically, de Ridder wouldn’t mind working off his back in this matchup. I expect Nickal to defend takedowns early from de Ridder, have success on the feet, and ultimately control the fight en route to victory.

Cory Sandhagen by Decision: An outstanding matchup of two exceptional, well-rounded contenders, I can’t wait for this to hit the cage. Both are proficient anywhere the fight goes, but favor their striking, with Figueiredo using his speed and power to land damage and hunt for knockouts. Sandhagen is a much slicker, measured striker, utilizing his length and elusiveness to pick apart and batter his opponents. Although there’s only a two-inch difference in reach, this is the most significant height disadvantage Figueiredo has ever been at, with Sandhagen standing six inches taller than the Brazilian. While height and reach don’t mean everything, having that size advantage benefits Sandhagen's style greatly. It makes it significantly harder for Figueiredo to rush into the pocket with big power punches, where he secures many of his finishes. It also allows Sandhagen to remain at kicking range much more often, skirting around the outside and using his length to land from a distance where Figueiredo can’t return fire. Sandhagen also has outstanding takedown defense, so even if Figueiredo gets frustrated and wants to wrestle, that won’t be an easy out for him. Ultimately, I expect Sandhagen to stay on the outside, popping Figueiredo and lighting him up from range, slowly wearing him down over five rounds to earn a massive victory over a former champion.

UFC Fight Night: Machado Garry vs. Prates

Carlos Prates walks off after brutally knocking out Neil Magny. Credit: MMA Fighting.

The UFC heads to the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, with a fantastic Fight Night card. Throughout, the card is filled with exciting matchups, rising stars, and established names all looking for a landmark victory. In the co-main event, we’ll see former title contender Anthony Smith square off against red-hot knockout artist Zhang Mingyang. In the main event, two of the hottest prospects in the Welterweight division go toe-to-toe when Ian Machado Garry takes on Carlos Prates. Let’s take a look at the fights on the main card.

Ikram Aliskerov vs. André Muniz

Ikram Aliskerov unloads punches onto Warlley Alves. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Middleweight Bout

Ikram Aliskerov: 15-2-0, 6 KO/TKO, 5 Sub.

André Muniz: 24-6-0, 4 KO/TKO, 15 Sub.

Aliskerov has won four of his last five fights, with UFC victories over Phil Hawes (12-6-0) and Warlley Alves (15-8-0). He’s a well-rounded, technical fighter who pushes a consistent pace and is always dangerous. He never telegraphs his attacks, fights behind his jab, and throws everything in combination. Training with the KHK MMA Team, Aliskerov is a former world champion in Sambo and has excellent top control, typically holding half guard and landing brutal ground and pound. He passes quickly and has impressive reversals, often denying takedowns and ending up on top. He does most of his damage on the inside with his punches, but has heavy kicks and well-timed knees. Aliskerov has one-shot knockout power and has finished six of his last seven wins.

André Muniz locks in a sneaky armbar on Jacaré Souza. Credit: Essentially Sports.

Muniz has won three of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over JunYong Park (18-6-0), Uriah Hall (18-11-0), and Jacaré Souza (26-10-0). He’s a dominant grappler with outstanding submissions and top control. He’s patient on the feet, mostly throwing straight punches and 1-2 combinations before pursuing takedowns. Muniz is landing, on average, over four takedowns per fifteen minutes and will shoot early on. He has excellent sweeps and reversals as well as smothering top control, making it very tough to get away from him on the mat. Training with the Tata Fight Team, he’s a lengthy fighter who utilizes his size effectively, typically looking to wear down and control his opponent through grappling. Muniz will constantly look to take his opponent’s back and has secured eleven of his fifteen submission victories via choke. 

Randy Brown vs. Nicolas Dalby

Randy Brown fires a powerful kick at Khaos Williams. Credit: MMA Mania.

Welterweight Bout

Randy Brown: 19-6-0, 7 KO/TKO, 5 Sub.

Nicolas Dalby: 23-5-1, 7 KO/TKO, 4 Sub.

Brown has won three of his last five outings, and has UFC wins over Khaos Williams (15-4-0), Francisco Trinaldo (28-9-0), and Muslim Salikhov (21-5-0). He’s a lengthy fighter, constantly throwing combinations at range and adding body kicks at the end of his combinations. He’ll often string together long, technical punch combinations without getting wild. Brown has solid power in both hands and particularly devastating clinch striking. Averaging just under a takedown landed per fifteen minutes, he does an excellent job mixing grappling into his striking, often using his length in the clinch to get his opponent to the mat. He has solid control and a slick submission game on the ground, especially his chokes. Training at Budokan Martial Arts, Brown is more than willing to eat a shot to land one and can be drawn into a brawl.

Nicolas Dalby prepares to unload ground and pound onto Gabriel Bonfim. Credit: MMA Junkie.

Dalby has won four of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Gabriel Bonfim (17-1-0), Muslim Salikhov (21-5-0), and Daniel Rodriguez (18-5-0). He is a cardio monster, in perpetual motion and constantly pushing the pace. Favoring volume to power, he throws everything in combination and continuously switches stances, always entering the pocket from different angles. Dalby varies his shots well, attacking the head and body evenly, never telegraphing anything. He is averaging just over one takedown landed per fifteen minutes and has excellent clinch control, often wearing his opponent down against the fence with knees and elbows. Training at Rumble Sports, he’s never been finished and never stops coming at his opponent, constantly moving forward and unloading punches. Dalby has solid takedown defense to back up his offensive grappling and is comfortable wherever the fight goes.

#14 Michel Pereira vs. Abus Magomedov

Michel Pereira lands a crushing knee to the body of Santiago Ponzinibbio. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Middleweight Bout

Michel Pereira: 31-12-0, 11 KO/TKO, 9 Sub.

Abus Magomedov: 27-6-1, 14 KO/TKO, 7 Sub.

Pereira has won four of his last five bouts, with UFC wins over Santiago Ponzinibbio (31-8-0), Khaos Williams (15-4-0), and Michael Oleksiejczuk (20-9-0). One of the most unique fighters in the UFC, he’s known for his wild antics within the cage. Training at Overcome Academy, he’s always willing to get wild, throwing open-hand slaps, jumping knees and kicks, and even attempting backflips. Pereira’s unorthodox style makes him both elusive and impossible to predict. He has refined his style in recent fights, adopting a more measured and accurate approach, fighting much more efficiently with improved cardiovascular endurance. He’s averaging over one takedown landed per fifteen minutes, has heavy ground and pound, and a dangerous submission game, particularly chokes. Pereira always pushes a heavy pace and constantly pursues a finish wherever the fight lands.

Abus Magomedov controls Warlley Alves in mount position while raining down punches. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Magomedov has won three of his last five outings and has UFC victories over Dustin Stoltzfus (16-6-0), Bruno Ferreira (13-2-0), and Warlley Alves (15-8-0). He is a lengthy striker who prefers power over volume, typically blasting his opponents with a barrage of kicks. He throws everything with fight-ending intentions and is at his most dangerous early, with 15 of his 21 finishes coming in round one. Magomedov is always pressuring forward and constantly switching stances, damaging his opponent's body and head evenly. He’s willing to grapple and is a solid wrestler, able to land his takedowns and often reverse those attempted on him to secure a top position. Training at UFD Gym, he transitions quickly on the ground and remains active on top, consistently throwing ground-and-pound strikes or pursuing a choke. Magomedov has secured six of his seven submissions via choke and is dangerous if he can get hold of his opponent’s neck.

#12 Giga Chikadze vs. David Onama

Giga Chikadze blasts Edson Barboza with a series of strikes. Credit: MMA Mania.

Featherweight Bout

Giga Chikadze: 15-4-0, 9 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

David Onama: 13-2-0, 7 KO/TKO, 4 Sub.

Chikadze has won three of his last five fights, with UFC victories coming over Edson Barboza (24-12-0), Cub Swanson (30-14-0), and Alex Caceres (21-15-0). He’s an excellent kickboxer with heavy hands and devastating body kicks. Training at Kings MMA, Chikadze is a former professional kickboxer with a record of 38-8-0 with 22 knockouts. He’s unlikely to take the fight to the mat but has excellent takedown defense and is strong inside the clinch, able to land significant damage without much space. Holding a third Dan black belt in Goju-ryu karate, he has exceptionally educated feet and never telegraphs his attacks. He’s proven to possess one-shot knockout power in both his hands and kicks, capable of finishing opponents with kicks to the body. He’s outlanded his opponents in all his UFC victories and is capable of throwing both with volume and power.

David Onama tags Nate Landwehr with a damaging right hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Onama has won four of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over Gabriel Benitez (23-11-0), Jonathan Pearce (14-7-0), and Gabriel Santos (12-2-0). He is in perpetual motion on his feet and constantly switches stances. He’s always coming forward, fights behind his jab, and throws every shot with fight-ending intentions. Onama has finished all but two of his wins, with six of those finishes coming in round one. He manages distances well and will land damage from the outside, but is more than willing to bang inside the pocket. Training at FactoryX Muay Thai, he’s a solid grappler with great clinch control, decent takedowns, and advances position quickly on the ground. Onama is likelier to pursue a submission than a ground-and-pound finish and has excellent chokes, with all his submission wins coming via some form of strangulation.

#15 Anthony Smith vs. Zhang Mingyang

Anthony Smith fires ground and pound punches at Ryan Spann. Credit: MMA Mania.

Light Heavyweight Bout

Anthony Smith: 38-21-0, 20 KO/TKO, 15 Sub.

Zhang Mingyang: 18-6-0, 12 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

Smith has won two of his last five outings, holding UFC victories over #9 ranked Light Heavyweight Volkan Oezdemir (20-8-0),  Ryan Spann (22-11-0), and Alexander Gustafsson (18-8-0). A well-rounded veteran, he’s highly durable and always pushes a consistent pace. He throws everything with power but remains technical throughout, always keeping his hands high and his shots straight. Smith fights behind his jab, never telegraphs or loads up, and constantly looks to close the distance and let his hands go. He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has solid takedowns and top control. Training at FactoryX Muay Thai, he’s patient on top, looking for submission openings without putting himself in dangerous positions. Smith is rarely in a boring fight and always leaves everything in the cage, having been awarded six Performance of the Night bonuses and one Fight of the Night bonus.

Zhang Mingyang uncorks a lethal right hand on Ozzy Diaz. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Zhang is on an eleven-fight win streak and has UFC victories over Brendson Ribeiro (17-7-0) and Ozzy Diaz (10-3-0). He is a prolific finisher with dangerous power in his hands. He comes out guns blazing, constantly pressuring forward and looking to close the distance to let his hands go. Zhang is always seeking a knockout and willing to brawl, but remains technical, keeping his shots tight and straight without telegraphing them. He’s strong in the clinch and has a strong takedown game, regularly looking to posture up and land brutal ground and pound when in top position. Training at Xtreme Couture, he has excellent chokes and will pursue them even when standing, and he has secured five of his six submissions via rear-naked choke. Zhang has produced all of his finish victories in the first round and has only been to a decision once.

#7 Ian Machado Garry vs. #13 Carlos Prates

Ian Machado Garry lands a head kick flush on the chin of Daniel Rodriguez. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Welterweight Bout

Ian Machado Garry: 15-1-0, 7 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Carlos Prates: 21-6-0, 16 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Garry has won four of his last five fights, with UFC wins over #10 ranked Welterweight Geoff Neal (16-6-0), #15 ranked Welterweight Michael Page (23-3-0), and Neil Magny (29-14-0). He’s an excellent striker with a very fluid style, constantly moving and bouncing on his feet with an almost karate-like stance. He’s highly accurate, having landed 54% of the significant strikes he has attempted in the UFC, and remains patient, always looking for openings. Garry fights behind his jab and has excellent distance management, typically controlling the center of the cage and forcing his opponent to the outside. He possesses a deadly kicking arsenal and utilizes it to inflict significant damage at range, never telegraphing his strikes and constantly mixing kicks into punch combinations. Training at Chute Boxe, he holds a black belt in Judo and has solid takedown defense but rarely initiates grappling exchanges. Garry benefits from a slower, more technical fight, not looking to be pulled into a knockdown, drag-out brawl.

Carlos Prates lands a devastating left hand on Li Jingliang. Credit: FightTV.

Prates is on an eleven-fight win streak and has UFC victories over Trevin Giles (16-6-0), Neil Magny (29-14-0), and Li Jingliang (19-9-0). He’s a destructive, technical striker with serious power in his hands. He favors power to volume, throwing every shot with fight-ending intentions, and can produce a flash knockout at any time. Prates varies his shots well, attacking the head and body evenly and constantly looking to land knees to the body. Training with Fighting Nerds, he has excellent distance management and continuously presses forward, remaining patient and composed, never telegraphing his attacks. He’s unlikely to take the fight to the mat but has solid takedown defense, capable of defending shots both in open space and against the cage. Prates has only been to a single decision during his win streak, earning a finish in the first or second round of all his other victories.

Best Bets

Ikram Aliskerov by KO/TKO: An intriguing matchup of two highly-skilled fighters, this will be a good one. Aliskerov is a well-rounded fighter, typically favoring to stay on his feet but fully capable of denying takedowns or pursuing them himself. Muniz is a more specialized fighter, constantly looking to land takedowns, take the fight to the ground, and seek submissions. This type of matchup typically benefits the more well-rounded fighter, in this case, Aliskerov. Although Aliskerov lost a lot of his hype after his devastating loss to Robert Whittaker, he's still an outstanding fighter with plenty of potential. Muniz has struggled against powerful strikers throughout his career, with five knockout losses on his record. Now coming off a brief hiatus following the Whittaker loss, I anticipate Aliskerov returning in top form. I expect him to push a high pace and apply pressure early, while denying Muniz's grappling threats and takedowns. Ultimately, I expect him to find the chin of Muniz, knock him out, and re-enter the win column.

Zhang Mingyang by KO/TKO: This is a matchup of an established veteran and a quickly rising star that’s sure to have some fireworks. Smith has fought a who’s who of the Light Heavyweight division in his nearly 20-year MMA career, with plenty of impressive victories and finishes. Mingyang has been on an absolute tear, earning two straight first-round knockouts in the UFC, and has not seen the second round in his last fifteen fights. Despite having an outstanding resume, Smith has experienced a downturn in his recent career, losing five of his last seven fights, including two knockout losses since 2022. While he certainly possesses the skills to win fights at a high level, he may lack the motivation, as evidenced by his sluggish and disinterested performance in his most recent loss to Dominick Reyes. If he has an at all similar performance in this bout, it’s practically a foregone conclusion. I expect Mingyang to come out guns blazing, applying constant forward pressure and throwing heavy combinations. I anticipate that Mingyang will, sooner rather than later, land the knockout blow and finish Smith.

Carlos Prates Moneyline: Per usual, I will immediately admit my own bias: I cannot stand Ian Garry. Garry is a talented fighter, possessing underrated grappling skills and lethal striking, but his game plan tends to be very risk-averse. In recent fights, he will mostly look to get hold of his opponent, keeping them in the clinch along the cage while picking his shots. Prates, on the other hand, is almost the exact opposite: he’s always pursuing a finish and throwing caution to the wind. Although not known for his grappling, Prates holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has successfully defended 91% of the takedowns attempted against him in the UFC. While I have no way of knowing how Garry will approach this matchup, considering the power and danger Prates presents, it’s reasonable to believe he’ll have a similar approach to what he’s done recently. I expect some spirited striking exchanges to start the fight before Garry looks to slow the pace. I anticipate Prates denying Garry’s attempts to clinch up or land takedowns, make it his fight at his pace, and continue his winning streak.

UFC 314 Preview

Alexander Volkanovski lands a powerful left hook on Max Holloway. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

The UFC heads to Miami, Florida, with an outstanding pay-per-view card. The entire card has been filled with high-level matchups and outstanding fighters, all looking to make a name on the biggest stage in combat sports. Two exceptional Lightweights go toe-to-toe in the co-main event when the always-dangerous Michael Chandler takes on rising star Paddy Pimblett. In the main event, the vacant Featherweight title will be on the line when former champion Alexander Volkanovski takes on the red-hot Diego Lopes. First, let’s take a look at the preliminary fights and then at the bouts on the main card.

Prelims

Darren Elkins vs. Julian Erosa

Darren Elkins prepares to unload punches onto Tristan Connelly. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Featherweight Bout

Darren Elkins: 29-11-0, 9 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

Julian Erosa: 30-12-0, 11 KO/TKO, 14 Sub.

Elkins has won three of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Michael Johnson (24-19-0), TJ Brown (17-12-0), and Mirsad Bektic (13-4-0). Known as one of the grittiest grapplers in MMA, he uses his toughness and relentless pace to wear down his opponents. He’s landing, on average, nearly three takedowns per fifteen minutes and is a relentless wrestler, regularly chaining together takedown attempts. Elkins has heavy top pressure and will constantly look to posture up and land ground and pound. He tends to box on the feet, fighting behind his jab and using his striking to close the distance and set up his grappling. Training at Team Alpha Male, he’s always willing to eat a shot to land one and is easily drawn into a brawl. One of the longest-tenured fighters in the promotion, he holds multiple Featherweight records, including the most unanimous decision wins, takedowns landed, submissions attempted, control time, and top position time.

Julian Erosa locks in a tight guillotine choke on Ricardo Ramos. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Erosa has won three of his last five bouts and has wins over Hakeem Dawodu (13-4-1), Charles Jourdain (16-8-1), and Nate Landwehr (18-6-0). He utilizes an awkward style on the feet, staying upright with his hands down and throwing lots of looping hooks from strange angles. He is seemingly always moving forward, whether to initiate a grappling exchange or land strikes, and has the cardio to do so over three rounds easily. Erosa is willing to get into brawls on the feet, gladly hanging in the pocket and exchanging combinations. Training at Xtreme Couture, he averages over one takedown landed per fifteen minutes and is a slick submission artist, with two UFC victories via D’arce choke, one of which was standing. He has proven to be a bit of a slow starter, but he heats up as the fight goes on. Erosa has found 64% of his finishes after the first round and is always dangerous.

Jim Miller vs. Chase Hooper

Jim Miller has a bloody exchange inside the pocket with King Green. Credit: MMA Mania.

Lightweight Bout

Jim Miller: 38-18-0, 7 KO/TKO, 21 Sub.

Chase Hooper: 15-3-1, 4 KO/TKO, 8 Sub.

Miller has won three of his last five outings and has UFC victories over #2 ranked Lightweight Charles Oliveira (35-10-0), Clay Guida (38-22-0), and Donald Cerrone (36-17-0). He's among the UFC's most well-respected, well-rounded, and accomplished fighters. He has the most wins in UFC history with 27, the most fights in promotional history with 45, and the second-most finishes with 19. Miller varies his shots excellently, attacking the head and body evenly and possessing devastating leg kicks. He’s excellent at timing counterattacks and will eat a shot to land one. He’s averaging over one takedown landed and nearly two submissions attempted per fifteen minutes. Training at Sussex County MMA, Miller has excellent top control and constantly pursues a finish.

Chase Hooper secures a vicious armbar on Clay Guida. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Hooper has won four of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Clay Guida (38-22-0), Viacheslav Borschchev (8-5-1), and Jordan Leavitt (11-3-0). He is an excellent grappler, holding a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a dangerous submission game. He’s averaging nearly two takedowns landed per fifteen minutes, usually using trips and clinch takedowns to get his opponent to the mat. Hooper has excellent top control when on the ground and uses his length well, making him dangerous in nearly any position. Training at Combat Sport and Fitness, he is a massive Lightweight, standing at 6’1”, and has shown steady improvement in his striking, absorbing just 10 total significant strikes in his last three fights combined. He’ll often throw kicks at range before blitzing in to unload combinations. Hooper has proved impressively durable and is never truly out of a fight.

#1 Yan Xiaonan vs. #3 Virna Jandiroba

Yan Xiaonan drops Strawweight champion Zhang Weili with a right hand. Credit: MMA Junkie.

Women’s Strawweight

Yan Xiaonan: 19-4-0, 8 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Virna Jandiroba: 21-3-0, 1 KO/TKO, 14 Sub.

Xiaonan has won three of her last five bouts and has UFC victories over #4 ranked Strawweight Jéssica Andrade (26-13-0), #6 ranked Strawweight Mackenzie Dern (15-5-0), and #10 ranked Strawweight Tabatha Ricci (11-3-0). She has excellent technical kickboxing skills and throws everything in combination. She regularly opens combinations with a lead leg attack, typically a sidekick. Xiaonan never telegraphs her strikes, often keeping her hands down and throwing from her hip. She’s defended 63% of takedowns attempted on her in the UFC and won’t typically initiate grappling exchanges, but she has solid top control and ground and pound. She’s proven to be highly durable and capable of surviving in deep waters on the feet and the ground. Xiaonan lands, on average, about 75 significant strikes per fight in the UFC and pushes a consistent pace throughout.

Virna Jandiroba submits Amanda Lemos with a vicious armbar. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Jandiroba has won four of her last five outings and has UFC victories over #5 ranked Strawweight Amanda Lemos (15-4-1), #9 ranked Strawweight Marina Rodriguez (17-5-2), and #11 ranked Strawweight Loopy Godínez (13-5-0). She’s a tenacious grappler with excellent takedowns and lethal submissions. She’s a bit limited on the feet, mostly throwing straight punches and 1-2 combinations before closing the distance and pursuing takedowns. Jandiroba is averaging over two takedowns landed and nearly two submissions attempted per fifteen minutes and will constantly look to get her opponent in the clinch along the fence. Training at Academia Fight House, she has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, heavy top control, and always works and pursues a finish on the ground. She has excellent sweeps and reversals, almost always ending up in top position when the fight hits the mat. Jandiroba has secured nine of her fourteen submission victories via choke, with six of those being rear naked chokes, and is extremely dangerous if she can get a hold of her opponent’s neck.

#15 Dan Ige vs. Sean Woodson

Dan Ige stuns Diego Lopes with a cracking right hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Featherweight Bout

Dan Ige: 18-9-0, 6 KO/TKO, 5 Sub.

Sean Woodson: 13-1-1, 4 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Ige has won two of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Edson Barboza (24-12-0), Andre Fili (24-12-0), and Damon Jackson (23-8-1). He is a brawler with serious power inside the pocket and excellent technical boxing. He has great footwork and constantly varies his attacks, going to the head and body evenly. While Ige primarily uses his hands to land damage, he also possesses powerful kicks, often throwing them naked or at the end of combinations. He throws every shot with power and deadly intent and has one-shot knockout ability. Although more known for his striking, he has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has landed at least one takedown in seven of his ten victories in the UFC. Ige has also shown great defensive grappling and is always active on the ground, never staying in one spot for long.

Sean Woodson blasts Kyle Bochniak with a right hand. Credit: DraftKings Network.

Woodson has won four of his last five bouts with one draw and has UFC victories over Charles Jourdain (15-7-1), Youssef Zalal (17-5-1), and Alex Caceres (21-15-0). He’s an experienced striker with an amateur boxing record of 46-3, and it shows in the octagon, using fluid boxing to piece his opponents up. He is the tallest active Featherweight in the UFC at 6’2”, and he uses his length well, throwing long punches and kicks from range along with plenty of feints. Woodson is willing to throw wild shots, particularly flying knees, and has an arsenal of kicks to back up his boxing. He’s excellent at varying his strikes, regularly throwing devastating uppercuts to the body, and has finished fights with body shots. Training at Wolves’ Den TC, he has great takedown defense, especially against the fence, using his size to keep the fight on the feet. Woodson has landed, on average, about 73 significant strikes in his last five fights and always pushes a solid pace.

Main Card

#8 Nikita Krylov vs. #11 Dominick Reyes

Nikita Krylov rains down ground and pound onto Ryan Spann. Credit: MMA Junkie.

Light Heavyweight Bout

Nikita Krylov: 30-9-0, 12 KO/TKO, 16 Sub.

Dominick Reyes: 14-4-0, 9 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Krylov has won three of his last five outings and has UFC victories over #9 ranked Light Heavyweight Volkan Oezdemir (20-8-0), #10 ranked Light Heavyweight Johnny Walker (21-9-0), and Ryan Spann (22-11-0). He holds the rank of Master of Sport in Kyokushin Karate, Hand-to-Hand Combat, and Submission Fighting. He’s always willing to eat a shot to land one, regularly brawling and getting into exchanges in the pocket. Krylov has a solid arsenal of kicks in his repertoire but often favors his hands, regularly unloading powerful combinations. Training with Raty Team, he always pushes a heavy pace, throwing with power and volume, and has outlanded his last eight opponents. He’s averaging over two takedowns landed per fifteen minutes, has smothering top control, and is always working for a finish. Krylov rarely sees the judges’ scorecards, securing 28 of his 30 victories via finish, with 23 coming in round one.

Dominick Reyes prepares to unload ground and pound punches onto Anthony Smith. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Reyes has won two of his last five fights and has UFC victories over #7 ranked Middleweight Jared Cannonier (18-8-0), #9 ranked Light Heavyweight Volkan Oezdemir (20-8-0), and #15 ranked Light Heavyweight Anthony Smith (38-21-0). He is a lengthy striker who pursues a knockout from the opening bell, with all of his finishes coming in round one. Training at Joe Stevenson’s Cobra Kai, he often opens up with a barrage of heavy kicks, both high and low, and can land damage at range and in the pocket. Despite Reyes’s tendency to find an early finish, he doesn’t push a crazy pace, typically fading as the fight continues. He has excellent takedown defense, having defended 82% of takedowns attempted on him in the UFC, and he won’t accept bottom position on the mat. He has decent wrestling but tends to resort to it when he’s hurt, and he has only landed two takedowns in his UFC career. Reyes can find a finish without much volume, holding five victories in the promotion in which he landed 20 or fewer significant strikes.

#13 Bryce Mitchell vs. Jean Silva

Bryce Mitchell elevates and prepares to slam Dan Ige. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Featherweight Bout

Bryce Mitchell: 17-3-0, 1 KO/TKO, 9 Sub.

Jean Silva: 15-2-0, 12 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Mitchell has won three of his last five bouts and has wins over #15 ranked Featherweight Dan Ige (18-9-0), Edson Barboza (24-12-0), and Andre Fili (24-12-0). He is a high-level grappler with dangerous submissions, landing, on average, over three takedowns per fifteen minutes in the UFC. He typically gets the fight to the mat quickly, possessing a wrestling background and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Mitchell has excellent top control on the ground and always pursues a finish, whether ground and pound or a submission. Training at Barata MMA, he’s most dangerous early on, with eight of his nine submission victories coming in round one. On the feet, he’s in perpetual motion, cuts off the cage well, and has decent power in his hands. Mitchell has one of three wins in UFC history via twister submission and can produce submissions from anywhere and any position.

Jean Silva lands a devastating left hook on Melsik Baghdasaryan. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Silva is on a twelve-fight win streak and has UFC victories over Melsik Baghdasaryan (8-3-0), Charles Jourdain (16-8-1), and Drew Dober (27-15-0). He’s a flashy striker with power in both hands who constantly hunts for a knockout. He starts slow, looking for openings and throwing heavy, single shots. Silva can get wild on the feet, fighting with his hands low, talking trash, and attempting spinning and jumping attacks. Training with Fighting Nerds, he heats up as the fight continues, gradually increasing his forward pressure and output. His best shots are his right straight and lead hook, and he’ll constantly look to set up either. Silva has finished nine of his twelve consecutive wins in the first round and is dangerous anytime, anywhere.

#5 Yair Rodríguez vs. Patrício Pitbull

Yair Rodríguez pops Brian Ortega with a stiff right hand. Credit: MMA Junkie.

Featherweight Bout

Yair Rodríguez: 20-5-0, 9 KO/TKO, 5 Sub.

Patrício Pitbull: 36-7-0, 13 KO/TKO, 11 Sub.

Rodríguez has won two of his last five outings and has UFC victories over #6 ranked Lightweight Dan Hooker (24-12-0), #10 ranked Featherweight Josh Emmett (19-5-0), and Jeremy Stephens (29-21-0). He’s one of the most diverse strikers in the UFC, possessing an insane arsenal of kicks and flashy attacks. He throws everything with immense speed and attacks from different angles, constantly moving and switching stances. Rodríguez usually leads with his kicks before letting his hands go, picking his opponent apart at range before entering the pocket to throw combinations. He has excellent distance management and timing and never slows down, consistently putting out a substantial volume of strikes. Training at Valle Flow Striking, he has fantastic clinch striking and some of the most devastating elbows in MMA. Rodríguez won’t usually take the fight to the mat, but he has a great submission game and is dangerous off his back.

Patrício Pitbull fires a right hand at Adam Borics. Credit: Yahoo Sports.

Pitbull has won three of his last five fights and is making his UFC debut. He’s a former Bellator Lightweight and Featherweight champion and is the Bellator record holder for the most fights, wins, title fights, wins in title fights, and finishes. Often considered the greatest Bellator fighter of all time, He’s a powerful, technical scrapper with outstanding distance management and counterstriking. Pitbull does an excellent job of holding the center of the cage and forcing his opponent to the outside, not utilizing much movement but always pressing forward. He throws everything with power but won’t get sloppy or telegraph his strikes, often blitzing forward with looping hooks before quickly returning to range. Pitbull has fought for championships in sixteen of his last twenty fights and is comfortable anywhere the fight ends up.

#7 Michael Chandler vs. #12 Paddy Pimblett

Michael Chandler brutally knocks out Tony Ferguson with a front kick to the head. Credit: MMA Junkie.

Lightweight Bout

Michael Chandler: 23-9-0, 11 KO/TKO, 7 Sub.

Paddy Pimblett: 22-3-0, 6 KO/TKO, 11 Sub.

Chandler has won one of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over #5 ranked Lightweight Dan Hooker (24-12-0) and Tony Ferguson (26-11-0). He is a former three-time Bellator Lightweight champion who entered the UFC in 2021. He’s exceptionally well-rounded, pushes a heavy pace, and is comfortable anywhere the fight goes. Chandler is an excellent wrestler with powerful takedowns, landing, on average, nearly two takedowns per fifteen minutes in the UFC. He’s incredibly dangerous in top position, possessing brutal ground and pound and particularly lethal chokes. Training at Kill Cliff FC, he’s just as dangerous on the feet as he is on the ground, having excellent power in his hands and a great chin. Chandler pushes a heavy pace at all times and is always pursuing a finish, only seeing the judges three times in his last ten fights.

Paddy Pimblett locks up a triangle choke on King Green. Credit: Yahoo Sports.

Pimblett is on an eight-fight win streak and has UFC victories over Jared Gordon (20-7-0), King Green (32-17-1), and Jordan Leavitt (11-3-0). He is a very aggressive striker, always throwing everything with power and using a variety of wild kicks. He throws in combination and is willing to brawl in the pocket, often blitzing forward and swinging wild hooks. Training at Next Generation MMA, Pimblett is an excellent grappler, and in his promotional tenure, he’s averaging about one takedown landed and over two submissions attempted per 15 minutes. He has excellent takedowns and advances position quickly on the ground, always looking to find a finish. He’s very creative on the ground and is one of the most dangerous men in the sport to have on your back, regularly securing chokes with impressive speed. All of Pimblett’s submission victories came via some form of choke, so the fight is practically over if he can get a hold of his opponent’s neck. 

#1 Alexander Volkanovski vs. #3 Diego Lopes

Alexander Volkanovski batters Brian Ortega from top position. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Featherweight Title Bout

Alexander Volkanovski: 26-4-0, 13 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Diego Lopes: 26-6-0, 10 KO/TKO, 12 Sub.

Volkanovski has won two of his last five outings and has wins over #2 ranked Featherweight Max Holloway (26-8-0), #5 ranked Featherweight Yair Rodríguez (20-5-0), and #6 ranked Featherweight Brian Ortega (16-4-0). He is an excellent technical striker with serious power in both hands and devastating leg kicks. He’s highly accurate, throws every shot with purpose, and quickly moves in and out of the pocket without taking damage. Volkanovski never telegraphs his attacks and is defensively sound, defending 58% of significant strikes attempted on him. Although elusive, he’s willing to eat a shot to land one and will brawl inside the pocket. Training at City Kickboxing, he has excellent cardio and is constantly pressuring forward, averaging 151 significant strikes landed in his last five wins. Volkanovski also averages nearly two takedowns landed per fifteen minutes, has excellent wrestling with heavy top pressure, outstanding control in the clinch, and an incredible ability to escape submissions.

Diego Lopes lands a brutal uppercut on Sodiq Yusuff. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Lopes is on a five-fight win streak and has UFC victories over #6 ranked Featherweight Brian Ortega (16-4-0), #15 ranked Featherweight Dan Ige (18-9-0), and Sodiq Yusuff (13-4-0). An experienced grappler with impressive striking, he throws every shot with knockout intentions and constantly seeks a finish. He has one-shot KO power on the feet and has excellent accuracy and timing with his hands. Lopes has fast, powerful kicks and tends to get wild with his striking. Training at Lobo Gym MMA, he has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is dangerous anywhere the fight goes. He has a vicious submission game on top and bottom, constantly transitioning and looking for openings. Lopes has excellent ground and pound on top, which he’ll regularly use to create submission openings.

Best Bets

Yair Rodríguez Moneyline: This is an outstanding matchup of two top-tier strikers. Both have faced off against some of the most talented fighters in MMA and have a bevy of high-level experience. Despite being a relatively short Featherweight, Pitbull relies heavily on distance management and counter striking. This strategy will benefit Rodríguez, who has both a height and reach advantage, but also the youth and speed. Rodríguez is also extremely unpredictable and unorthodox, making counter striking with him a dangerous challenge. Although Pitbull likely has a wrestling advantage, he won't typically shoot for takedowns and will likely be looking for a highlight win in his UFC debut. I expect Rodríguez to stay at range, picking Pitbull apart with long punches and kicks, not allowing Pitbull to hold the center and work his offense. I anticipate many close exchanges on the feet, but ultimately, I believe Rodríguez will walk away with a victory over a legend of the sport.

Michael Chandler Moneyline: This is a bit of a bizarre matchup of two vastly different fighters, and I’m looking forward to it. Chandler is a very gritty, traditional fighter who utilizes vicious boxing and powerful wrestling to damage his opponents. Pimblett, on the other hand, is a very unorthodox, aggressive striker with outstanding BJJ and submissions. I might as well be blunt; despite Pimblett being the odds-on favorite, I struggle to see a path to victory for him in this fight. His only true advantage in this matchup is pure submission offense: he’s outgunned on the feet and doesn’t have nearly Chandler's wrestling pedigree. Chandler has also faced vastly higher-level competition, facing off against champions and fighting for titles inside and outside the UFC. Meanwhile, Pimblett’s likely most formidable opponent has been Jared Gordon, whom he arguably didn’t deserve a victory over. I expect Chandler to overpower Pimblett on the feet, out-wrestle Pimblett in the grappling exchanges, and put himself back into the winning column.

Volkanovski vs. Lopes Over 3.5 Rounds: I am ecstatic about this matchup of two of the most exciting fighters in the Featherweight division and two of my favorites. With that established, I’m frankly terrified at the idea of picking either of these men to lose, and thus, I won’t. Instead, I predict this outstanding fight will make it into the championship rounds. Lopes has proven exceptionally tough and durable, particularly in his debut fight with Evloev. Lopes was repeatedly put into tough spots by Evloev and continued to not only find a way out but repeatedly attempt and nearly finish submissions. Despite a string of recent knockout losses, I believe the over a year Volkanovski took away from the octagon has massively benefitted him, and I expect to see him in top form this Saturday. I anticipate a slower, more methodical start to this fight, with both men feeling each other out and determining timing and distance. As the fight continues, I expect things to heat up, with plenty of spirited, competitive exchanges on the feet and the mat. Regardless of who emerges as the new Featherweight champion, I believe this fight will be a banger and last more than three and a half rounds.

UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Erceg

Brandon Moreno lands a cracking left hook on Alexandre Pantoja. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

The UFC heads to Mexico City, Mexico with a stacked Fight Night card. The entire card has been loaded with exciting matchups and plenty of local talent, all sure to put on a show this weekend. In the co-main event, two Lightweight brawlers go toe-to-toe when the heavy-handed Manuel Torres squares off with the always-game Drew Dober. In the main event, we’ll see former Flyweight champion Brandon Moreno look to extend his winning streak when he squares off with former title challenger Steve Erceg. Let’s take a look at the fights on the main card.

Ronaldo Rodríguez vs. Kevin Borjas

Ronaldo Rodríguez fires a left hook at Ode’ Osbourne. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Flyweight Bout

Ronaldo Rodríguez: 17-2-0, 7 KO/TKO, 5 Sub.

Kevin Borjas: 9-3-0, 8 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Rodríguez is on a seven-fight win streak and has UFC victories over Denys Bondar (14-5-0) and Ode’ Obsourne (12-8-0). He’s a well-rounded, technical fighter who’s constantly coming forward and pursuing a finish. He favors power to volume and remains technical throughout, keeping his shots straight and tight while often looking to counter-strike. Rodríguez is highly durable and always willing to eat a shot to land one, regularly walking through punches to land his own offense. He has great scrambles and reversals on the mat, never accepts position on his back, and regularly throws up submission attempts. Training at ADAM Coatzacoalcos, he’s constantly pursuing a finish in top position, throwing ground and pound to open submission opportunities. Rodríguez has 19 pro fights along with 21 amateur bouts, making him highly experienced and visibly comfortable inside the cage despite his young age.

Kevin Borjas cracks Victor Dias with a right hand. Credit: Ag. Fight.

Borjas has won three of his last five fights and is looking for his first UFC victory. He’s a technical, powerful striker who’s always looking to let his hands go. He fights behind his jab, constantly pumping it out to set up his best shot, a straight right. Borjas has excellent footwork and distance management, rarely throwing kicks but always keeping his opponent on the end of his punches. He’s accurate and throws every shot with power and purpose, varying his attacks well and regularly ending combinations with body shots. Training at Pitbull Martial Arts, he hasn’t landed a takedown in the UFC but has shown solid reversals and get-ups when it goes to the mat. Borjas has secured over half of his victories via first-round knockout, but he has solid cardio and is always dangerous.

David Martínez vs. Saimon Oliveira

David Martínez attempts a wild axe kick on Xavier Franklin. Credit: Bloody Elbow.

Bantamweight Bout

David Martínez: 11-1-0, 9 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Saimon Oliveira: 18-5-0, 5 KO/TKO, 11 Sub.

Martínez is on a seven-fight win streak and is making his UFC debut. He is a lifelong karate practitioner and utilizes it well, regularly unloading powerful kicks while remaining elusive. He’s in perpetual movement, constantly floating along the outside while looking to counterstrike and catch his opponent when they enter the pocket. Martínez favors power to volume, often blitzing forward to unload bombs and kicks, but he remains technical throughout and won’t get sloppy. Training at Bonebreakers MMA, he’s exceptionally quick on his feet and with his hands and varies his attacks well, constantly blasting his opponents with leg kicks when at range. He’s unlikely to initiate grappling exchanges but has shown solid takedown defense and ability in the clinch. Martínez has an impressive arsenal of flashy kicks and will regularly throw them while constantly pursuing a knockout.

Saimon Oliveira fires an uppercut at Tony Gravely. Credit: Doc’s Sports.

Oliveira has won three of his last five bouts and is looking for his first UFC victory. He’s a wild, well-rounded scrapper who throws everything with knockout intentions. He uses a classic Muay Thai stance but is anything but orthodox, constantly attempting spinning attacks and other flashy maneuvers. Oliveira favors power to volume, regularly unloading naked kicks and single punches. He is landing, on average, over one takedown per fifteen minutes, often punching his way into the pocket before pursuing a takedown. Training with Astra Fight Team, he has solid top pressure, transitions from position to position fluidly, and won’t put himself in bad spots. Oliveira has finished nearly all his victories and has particularly dangerous chokes, with seven of his eleven submissions coming via guillotine.

Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Vince Morales

Raul Rosas looks to lock up a choke on Aoriqileng. Credit: MMA Junkie.

Bantamweight Bout

Raul Rosas Jr.: 10-1-0, 2 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

Vince Morales: 16-9-0, 7 KO/TKO, 5 Sub.

Rosas Jr. has won four of his last five outings and has UFC victories over Ricky Turcios (13-5-0), Aoriqileng (25-12-0), and Terrence Mitchell (14-4-0). He’s a dangerous submission artist with excellent wrestling and BJJ. He’s averaging about four takedowns landed per fifteen minutes and is very active on top, constantly pursuing submissions and advancing position. Rosas Jr. was the youngest debuting fighter in UFC history, debuting at 18 years old in 2022. Training at 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu, he pushes a heavy pace on the ground and always finds his way to his opponent’s back, where he’s most dangerous. He has solid power in his hands but typically won’t waste much time before shooting in for a takedown. Rosas Jr. has an excellent arsenal of submissions and is unpredictable on the ground.

Vince Morales fires a right hook at Jonathan Martinez. Credit: MMA Mania.

Morales has won three of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Aiemann Zahabi (12-2-0), Louis Smolka (17-9-0), and Drako Rodriguez (7-4-0). He is a well-rounded scrapper who’s comfortable anywhere and always willing to exchange in the pocket. He’s in perpetual motion and throws everything in combination, regularly looking to set up his right hand. Training at Syndicate MMA, Morales has solid footwork and moves in and out of the pocket well, performing his best when controlling the center and the pace. He’s incredibly tough, regularly surviving in deep waters, and he’s always willing to eat a shot to land one. He has excellent leg kicks and mixes up his shots well, attacking the head and body evenly. Morales tends to heat up as the fight continues and has secured seven of his twelve finish victories after the first round.

Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer

Kelvin Gastelum catches Daniel Rodriguez with a clean straight left. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Middleweight Bout

Kelvin Gastelum: 20-9-0, 6 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

Joe Pyfer: 13-3-0, 9 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Gastelum has won two of his last five bouts and has victories over Daniel Rodriguez (18-5-0), Chris Curtis (31-12-0), and Jacare Souza (26-10-0). He’s a well-rounded fighter who’s highly durable and comfortable wherever the fight goes. He’s constantly moving and feinting on the feet, never staying in one spot or keeping his head on the centerline for long. Gastelum is willing to eat a shot to land one and has solid power, throwing every punch in combination and with purpose. Training at Fight Ready, he’s averaging about one takedown landed per fifteen minutes and has a black belt in BJJ. He has heavy ground and pound and dangerous chokes, with three of his four submissions coming via rear naked choke. Gastelum has earned eight bonuses in his twelve-year promotional tenure and is never in a boring fight, win or lose.

Joe Pyfer elevates Abdul Razak Alhassan for a brutal slam. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Pyfer has won four of his last five outings and holds UFC victories over Marc-Andre Barriault (16-9-0), Abdul Razak Alhassan (12-7-0), and Gerald Meerschaert (37-18-0). He is an explosive striker with one-punch knockout power who constantly pursues a finish. He has solid, technical hands, always keeping his guard high, his shots tight, and never telegraphs. Training at Marquez MMA, Pyfer has excellent head movement and footwork, never staying on the centerline, and can land damage going forward or backward. He has a solid grappling game with great takedowns, smothering top control, and submission ability to back up his brutal ground and pound. He does his best work on the inside with his hands but will throw heavy kicks at range, particularly to the legs. Pyfer always leaves everything inside the cage, holding seven first-round finishes while only reaching a decision twice in his career.

Manuel Torres vs. Drew Dober

Manuel Torres lands a cracking uppercut on Frank Camacho. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Lightweight Bout

Manuel Torres: 15-3-0, 7 KO/TKO, 7 Sub.

Drew Dober: 27-14-0, 15 KO/TKO, 5 Sub.

Torres has won four of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Frank Camacho (22-10-0), Nikolas Motta (15-5-0), and Chris Duncan (13-2-0) . He’s an explosive striker who throws every shot with knockout intentions and always comes forward. He throws wide, looping hooks, constantly attacks from different angles, and has power in both hands. Training at Entram Gym, Torres has only been to one decision in his career, with all of his other bouts ending in the first round. He has excellent distance management, moving in and out of the pocket without absorbing damage. He’s willing to grapple and is strong inside the clinch, but he is always ready to brawl and can produce a flash knockout at any time. Torres can do significant damage without much space, especially with his elbows.

Drew Dober connects with a brutal right hook on Rafael Alves. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Dober has won two of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over Bobby Green (32-17-1), Terrance McKinney (16-7-0), and Nasrat Haqparast (18-5-0). He is an excellent striker with a Muay Thai background and a black belt in Taekwondo. He always stays technical and throws all his punches tight and straight, rarely throwing looping shots. Dober throws everything with knockout intentions and carries his power across all three rounds. Training with Elevation Fight Team, he has excellent head movement and varies his shots, attacking the head and body evenly. He’s willing to brawl in the pocket but doesn’t get sloppy, has solid footwork, and is always coming forward. Dober does a great job of moving in and out of the pocket, throwing kicks at range, and landing damaging combinations in close.

#2 Brandon Moreno vs. #8 Steve Erceg

Brandon Moreno secures a perfect rear naked choke on Deiveson Figueiredo. Credit: MMA Mania.

Flyweight Bout

Brandon Moreno: 22-8-2, 5 KO/TKO, 11 Sub.

Steve Erceg: 12-3-0, 2 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

Moreno has won three of his last five outings and has UFC victories over #1 ranked Flyweight Brandon Royval (17-7-0), #3 ranked Flyweight Amir Albazi (17-2-0), and #4 ranked Flyweight Kai Kara-France (25-11-0). Training at Fortis MMA, he uses crisp boxing and extended combinations to damage his opponents. He remains patient and looks for openings but is more than willing to throw down and brawl in the pocket. Moreno has excellent top control and a slick submission game on the mat, particularly chokes. He also has excellent takedown defense, often working out of challenging positions and returning to his feet. He has fantastic cardio and can easily push a consistent pace across 25 minutes. Moreno has earned seven performance bonuses in his promotional tenure and is never in a boring fight. 

Steve Erceg flattens Matt Schnell with a powerful left hook. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Erceg has won three of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Matt Schnell (16-9-0), David Dvorak (20-6-0), and Alessandro Costa (14-4-0). He’s extremely well-rounded, possessing technical striking and a dangerous submission game. He’s constantly pressuring forward, keeping his head off the centerline, and always remaining technical, never telegraphing his shots. Erceg has excellent counterstriking and hides his kicks well, regularly landing brutal leg kicks. Training at Wilkes Martial Arts, he’s averaging over one takedown landed per fifteen minutes and can find submissions with incredible speed. With all six submission wins coming via choke, he’ll constantly search for his opponent’s neck on the ground. Erceg has solid cardio and pushes a consistent pace throughout, never getting sloppy or putting himself in bad spots.

Best Bets

Ronaldo Rodríguez Moneyline: An outstanding matchup to kick off the main card, I’m looking forward to this one. Both fighters push a heavy pace and are constantly pursuing a finish, and I expect plenty of fireworks inside the cage on Saturday. While Borjas is more of a true striker, Rodríguez is comfortable anywhere and willing to engage the fight wherever it ends up. This spells out an obvious path to victory via grappling, although I believe Rodríguez can compete with Borjas on the feet. I expect plenty of entertaining exchanges to start the fight, but as it continues, I expect Rodríguez to wear Borjas down with multiple takedowns and top control. Ultimately, I believe Rodríguez will be able to outpace Borjas, match him on the feet, and control him with his grappling en route to an impressive victory.

Torres vs. Dober Over 1.5 Rounds: This is an extremely exciting matchup of two talented strikers I can’t wait to see. Both have similar styles, using lethal power and combination striking to put their opponents away. Although both have plenty of first-round finishes to their names, I expect this fight to run longer than that. Torres is coming off a brutal knockout loss to Ignacio Bahamondes, his first defeat in his last seven fights. While I don’t expect him to be gunshy, I expect him to fight more cautiously and technically, not constantly throwing caution to the wind in pursuit of a finish. Dober is always in wild fights but tends more towards wild, back-and-forth brawls that extend beyond the first round. Dober is also exceptionally tough, and will often be able to withstand a beating, even in a loss. Although Torres isn’t quite as durable as Dober, I expect Dober to also fight a bit more cautiously out of respect for Torres’s knockout power. Ultimately, I expect this fight to be a wild brawl, but I also anticipate it lasting longer than seven and a half minutes.

Brandon Moreno Moneyline: This is an outstanding fight between two top-tier Flyweights and the perfect way to end the card. Per usual, I will admit my bias as a massive fan of Moreno. Regardless of my bias, though, this fight is sure to be a banger. In his relatively short UFC tenure, Erceg has proven to be consistently entertaining, win or lose, and always goes toe-to-toe with his opponents. Like Erceg, Moreno will never shy away from a scrap and has been in some of the greatest fights in the history of the UFC Flyweight division. Both fighters are well-rounded and capable anywhere the fight could go, with neither fighter having any apparent advantage. While their skill sets may be similar, their UFC experience could not be more different. Although Erceg has faced very high-level talent since entering the UFC, Moreno has been fighting the best of the best for nearly a decade at this point. Moreno has also not only fought five rounds numerous times in the promotion but has been in six title fights in the last five years, all against the best the division has to offer. I expect Moreno to take it to Erceg early on, engaging in striking exchanges on the feet, before mixing in his grappling as the fight continues. As the fight continues, I expect Moreno to control Erceg, the pace, and the center of the Octagon, eliminating Erceg’s ability to work his offensive grappling. While I expect plenty of competitive moments, I believe Moreno will walk away with the victory.

UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Brady

Leon Edwards knocks out Kamaru Usman with a perfectly placed head kick. Credit: MMA Fighting.

The UFC heads to the 02 Arena in London, England, with an outstanding Fight Night card. From start to finish, this card is packed with fascinating matchups, rising stars, and established names, all vying for a victory under the bright lights. In the co-main event, former champion and perennial contender Jan Błachowicz faces off against the powerful, red-hot Carlos Ulberg. In the main event, former Welterweight champion Leon Edwards steps back into the octagon against an exceptional grappler and rising star, Sean Brady. Let’s take a look at the fights on the main card.

Nathaniel Wood vs. Morgan Charrière

Nathaniel Wood cracks Charles Jourdain with a straight right hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Featherweight Bout

Nathaniel Wood: 20-6-0, 8 KO/TKO, 5 Sub.

Morgan Charrière: 20-10-1, 12 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Wood has won four of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Andre Fili (24-12-0), Charles Jourdain (16-8-1), and Charles Rosa (16-8-0). He’s a well-rounded scrapper with technical striking and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He’s constantly moving, feinting, and switching stances, often looking to counterstrike. Wood will throw constant leg kicks before darting into the pocket to throw combinations, continually looking to land shots with his lead hand. Training at GB Top Team, he’s averaging over one takedown landed per fifteen minutes, has excellent transitions and reversals, and is tough to take down, having defended 72% of takedowns attempted on him in the UFC. He has excellent cardio, pushes a consistent pace throughout the fight, and always remains technical. Wood has landed, on average, about 79 significant strikes in his last five fights and loves to hang in the pocket and let his hands go.

Morgan Charrière tags Gabriel Miranda with a jab. Credit: Ag. Fight.

Charrière has won four of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over Manolo Zecchini (11-4-0) and Gabriel Miranda (17-7-0). A bit of an internet celebrity in France, he has accumulated a solid following and is a former Cage Warriors Featherweight champion. Training with Team Chapa Quente, he’s a technical striker with substantial power in his hands and brutal leg kicks. Charrière has excellent footwork and is very defensively sound, never taking much damage and always keeping his head off the centerline. He will remain calm and technical throughout and won’t get pulled into dogfights, typically forcing his opponents to the outside and picking them apart. On the ground, he has great top control and heavy ground and pound, particularly elbows. Charrière has gone five rounds multiple times in his career and has great cardio, often increasing his pace as the fight continues.

Jordan Vucenic vs. Chris Duncan

Jordan Vucenic lands a powerful right hook on Guram Kutateladze. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Lightweight Bout

Jordan Vucenic: 13-3-0, 2 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

Chris Duncan: 12-2-0, 7 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Vucenic has won four of his last five outings and is looking for his first UFC victory. He’s a well-rounded fighter with exceptional striking and dangerous submissions. He holds the center well and constantly presses forward, always pushing a heavy pace without getting sloppy. Vucenic regularly switches stances and stays patient, looking for openings before blitzing in with heavy hooks. He has excellent timing on his takedowns and typically lands them quickly, often from the clinch. Training at Blood Sweat and Tears, he has heavy control in top position and advances quickly, constantly posturing to land ground and pound or pursue submissions. Vucenic is always dangerous but heats up as the fight continues, securing six of his eight finishes after round one.

Chris Duncan connects with a thudding right hand on Yanal Ashmouz. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Duncan has won four of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Yanal Ashmouz (8-1-0), Bolaji Oki (9-2-0), and Omar Morales (11-4-0). He’s a well-rounded fighter with a solid wrestling game and dangerous power in his hands. He’s constantly pressuring forward, remaining patient, and looking for openings before unloading overhands and hooks. Duncan has one-shot knockout power and can produce a knockout at any moment. Training at American Top Team, he’s averaging over three takedowns landed per fifteen minutes and has heavy top and clinch control. He’s always working to improve position or land damage when he’s on top. Duncan has great cardio and will push a consistent pace across all fifteen minutes.

Molly McCann vs. Alexia Thainara

Molly McCann secures a vicious armbar on Diana Belbita. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Women’s Strawweight Bout

Molly McCann: 14-7-0, 6 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Alexia Thainara: 11-1-0, 1 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

McCann has won two of her last five bouts and has UFC victories over Diana Belbita (15-9-0), Luana Carolina (11-4-0), and Ariane Da Silva (17-10-0). She is the textbook definition of a brawler, always looking to close the distance and let heavy combinations fly. She throws everything with power and rarely throws single shots, varying her attack well between the head and body. Training at Next Generation UK, she’s constantly pressing forward and is more than willing to eat a shot to land one, regularly staying on the inside and exchanging punches. She has a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is averaging nearly two takedowns landed per fight in the UFC. When it goes to the mat, she has heavy top control, brutal ground and pound, and a solid submission game. Four of McCann’s last five outings have ended in round one and she always comes out guns blazing.

Alexia Thainara connects with a clean right hand on Rose Conceiḉão. Credit: MMA Mania.

Thainara is on a nine-fight win streak and making her UFC debut. She’s a well-rounded scrapper with impressive power in her hands and excellent takedowns. She’s always coming forward, regularly dipping her head to unload looping hooks and overhands. Thainara has solid cardio and pushes a heavy pace throughout, throwing every punch with power and purpose. Training with the Ribas Family, she will constantly look to close the distance or clinch up to pursue takedowns. She has excellent timing and top control, able to land takedowns in open space and maintain top position. Thainara has secured four of her seven finishes after the first round and is always dangerous.

Gunnar Nelson vs. Kevin Holland

Gunnar Nelson pursues a rear naked choke on Takashi Sato. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Welterweight Bout

Gunnar Nelson: 19-5-1, 4 KO/TKO, 13 Sub.

Kevin Holland: 26-13-0, 13 KO/TKO, 9 Sub.

Nelson has won three of his last five outings and has UFC victories over Bryan Barberena (18-12-0), Takashi Sato (16-7-0), and Alan Jouban (17-7-0). He’s an excellent grappler with flashy striking and lethal submissions. He utilizes a karate style on the feet, using a split stance while constantly moving and keeping his hands low before blitzing forward with punches. Nelson will typically float along the outside the cage before looking to clinch up and pursue takedowns. Training at Mjolnir, he’s averaging nearly two takedowns landed per fight, has smothering top control, and is constantly working in top position to set up a submission. He’s extremely fluid on the mat and can easily transition from position to position without losing control of his opponent. Nelson has been in the UFC since 2012 and has the most submission wins in UFC Welterweight history with seven and the highest significant strike accuracy in UFC Welterweight history at 61%. 

Kevin Holland unloads ground and pound onto Alex Oliveira. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Holland has won one of his last five fights and has wins over #6 ranked Welterweight Joaquin Buckley (21-6-0), #8 ranked Middleweight Anthony Hernandez (14-2-0), and Michael Chiesa (20-7-0). A wild scrapper who’s comfortable anywhere the fight goes, he’s always dangerous and constantly pursuing a finish. He’s an aggressive striker, throwing everything in combination, and is always willing to brawl. Holland does a great job of moving in and out of the pocket without taking much damage, but he has no problem hanging in close to exchange on the inside. Training at Travis Lutter BJJ, he tends to throw kicks at range, using his legs to set up his hands, often throwing kicks naked or at the start of a combination. He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has a slick submission game, possessing particularly lethal chokes. Holland is one of the most active fighters in MMA, having fought 24 times in the UFC since 2018, and has earned eight post-fight bonuses in his promotional tenure.

#3 Jan Błachowicz vs. #6 Carlos Ulberg

Jan Błachowicz lands a cracking left hook on Alex Pereira. Credit: MMA India.

Light Heavyweight

Jan Błachowicz: 29-10-1, 9 KO/TKO, 9 Sub.

Carlos Ulberg: 12-1-0, 8 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Błachowicz has won two of his last five bouts with one draw and has wins over #4 ranked Middleweight Israel Adesanya (24-5-0), #5 ranked Light Heavyweight Aleksandar Rakić (14-5-0), and #8 ranked Light Heavyweight Nikita Krylov (30-9-0). He is an excellent kickboxer with serious power in his hands and kicks. He has great footwork and does an excellent job of stalking his opponents and cutting off the cage, always letting his hands go when he enters the pocket. Training with Berkut WCA Fight Team, Błachowicz has one-punch knockout power and does a great job of varying his shots, attacking the head and body evenly. He’s averaging just over one takedown landed per fight and is a capable grappler, possessing a black belt in BJJ and excellent takedowns. Błachowicz has great cardio and has gone five rounds multiple times in the UFC, making him constantly dangerous.

Carlos Ulberg stuns Da Woon Jung with a powerful left hook. Credit: Newsweek.

Ulberg is on a seven-fight win streak and has UFC victories over #9 ranked Light Heavyweight Volkan Oezdemir (20-8-0), Da Woon Jung (15-6-1), and Nicolae Negumereanu (13-2-0). He’s an accurate, technical striker with excellent power and speed. He remains patient and technical throughout, floating on the outside, looking for openings, and throwing everything straight and tight. Training at City Kickboxing, Ulberg will often lure his opponent into a slower pace before exploding with huge shots. He fights behind his jab, has excellent distance management, and is in perpetual motion. He won’t usually initiate grappling exchanges but is capable on the mat and has solid defensive grappling. Ulberg has only been to two decisions in his eight-fight UFC tenure and constantly pursues a finish.

#1 Leon Edwards vs. #5 Sean Brady

Leon Edwards lands a stinging head kick on Colby Covington. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Welterweight Bout

Leon Edwards: 22-4-0, 7 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Sean Brady: 17-1-0, 3 KO/TKO, 5 Sub.

Edwards has won four of his last five outings and has UFC victories over #3 ranked Welterweight Kamaru Usman (20-4-0), #9 ranked Welterweight Colby Covington (17-5-0), and Rafael Dos Anjos (32-17-0). He is a very polished striker, holding the sixth fastest finish in UFC history, scoring an 8-second KO in his second UFC fight, and is dangerous across all 25 minutes. He has excellent volume striking, outlanding eight of his last ten opponents and averaging about 71 significant strikes landed in his last five fights. Edwards has excellent takedown defense and is most comfortable on his feet, but is solid on the mat and willing to grapple. Averaging over one takedown landed per fifteen minutes, he has heavy ground and pound and holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Training at Renegade MMA, he throws every shot with purpose and won’t overextend, remaining technical throughout the fight. Edwards has reached the fifth round in five consecutive fights and can push a consistent pace across 25 minutes.

Sean Brady secures a double leg takedown on Michael Chiesa. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Brady has won four of his last five outings and has UFC victories over #8 ranked Welterweight Gilbert Burns (22-8-0), Kelvin Gastelum (19-9-0), and Jake Matthews (21-7-0). He is an excellent grappler, averaging over three takedowns landed per fifteen minutes in the UFC, and has controlled nearly every opponent he’s faced. Training at Renzo Gracie Philly, he advances incredibly quickly on the ground and remains patient on top, using smothering top control to find submission openings. Four of Brady’s five submission wins have come via some form of choke, so the fight is over if he can get a hold of his opponent’s neck. He utilizes a boxing style on the feet, not moving his feet much but throwing constant feints with his hands. While he prefers to take the fight to the mat, he won’t get desperate for takedowns and is willing to engage on the feet. Most of Brady’s finishes have come after round one, usually heating up as the fight continues.

Best Bets

Gunnar Nelson Moneyline: An intriguing matchup of two vastly different fighters; I’m looking forward to this fight. Although both are well-rounded, Holland prefers to keep it standing, using his length and striking to get the job done, while Nelson favors grappling and utilizing his submission game. Although Holland possesses a significant reach and height advantage, Nelson is the all-around more technical and skilled fighter of the two. He rarely engages in brawls and never gets sloppy, two things you see in virtually every Kevin Holland fight. Holland has also struggled mightily lately with both strikers and grapplers, most recently being submitted in the first round by UFC newcomer Reinier de Ridder. I expect Nelson to remain patient and technical throughout, weathering the wild tendencies of Holland. I anticipate Nelson landing multiple takedowns, controlling Holland on the ground, and earning a victory on Saturday night.

Jan Błachowicz Moneyline: In this fight, we’ll see a classic matchup of established veteran versus rising star, and both men are rarely in a bad fight. Both are at very different positions in their career: Błachowicz is a former champion who’s been at the top for a few years now, while this is Ulberg’s opportunity to establish himself as a legitimate title contender. Although Ulberg does have the advantage of youth, he’s at a severe disadvantage in terms of experience. Four of Błachowicz's last five fights have been against current or former UFC champions, and four of his previous six outings were with gold on the line. Alternatively, Ulberg has a single win over a ranked opponent in his last fight over Volkan Oezdemir, exclusively facing other prospects until now. Ulberg has also never faced an opponent with the grappling pedigree of Błachowicz, let alone someone nearly as well-rounded. I expect Błachowicz to put a heavy pace on Ulberg early, engaging striking exchanges but also regularly mixing in takedowns and clinches. Ultimately, I anticipate Błachowicz wearing Ulberg down with his pace and wrestling en route to a victory.

Sean Brady Moneyline: An excellent matchup of two highly-skilled fighters, this is a fantastic way to cap off the card. By far, this is the toughest fight on the card to predict, and I expect it to be competitive. There were nearly opposite takeaways from these fighters' most recent appearances: Brady seemed significantly improved in the previous fight against Gilbert Burns, particularly with his striking. On the other hand, Edwards was dominated for nearly five rounds by Belal Muhammad, being taken down nine times and controlled for over twelve minutes. Although Brady’s grappling advantage is obvious, Edwards’ striking advantage may be a bit overstated, with many casual fans still viewing Brady as a pure grappler despite constant improvements. While I anticipate plenty of takedowns from Brady, I also envision some spirited striking exchanges on the feet. I expect Brady to fight his fight, utilizing constant forward pressure, heavy boxing, and powerful wrestling, countering Edwards' technical, slick striking. I believe Brady will be able to control Edwards, slow down his pace, and earn a massive victory over a former champion.

UFC 313 Preview

Alex Pereira batters Khalil Rountree Jr. with a right hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

The UFC hits the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with a killer pay-per-view card. From start to finish, this card is filled with top prospects and established finishers all looking for a highlight reel victory this weekend. In the co-main event, we’ll witness a rematch of two outstanding Lightweights when Justin Gaethje faces Rafael Fiziev. In the main event, we finally receive a long-awaited champion and #1 contender matchup when Alex Pereira looks to defend his title against Magomed Ankalaev. Let’s take a look at the fights on the main card.

King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy

Bobby Green tags Drew Dober with a clean right hand. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Lightweight Bout

King Green: 32-16-1, 11 KO/TKO, 9 Sub.

Mauricio Ruffy: 11-1-0, 10 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Green has won three of his last five fights and has wins over #14 ranked Lightweight Grant Dawson (23-2-1), Tony Ferguson (26-11-0), and Jim Miller (38-18-0). Training at Pinnacle MMA, he is an excellent boxer, picking his opponents apart with quick combinations and damaging straights. He’s rarely in a boring fight, always willing to go to the center of the octagon and exchange blows. Green has been awarded Performance of the Night three times and Fight of the Night four times, backing up his scrappy tendencies. He also has excellent wrestling to supplement his striking, having defended 74% of takedowns attempted on him, and has a solid submission game and top control. He’s efficient both on offense and defense, having landed 53% of his significant strikes attempted and defended 62% of significant strikes thrown at him in the UFC. Green does a great job mixing up his strikes, attacking the head and the body evenly, and throwing the occasional kick to finish a combination.

Mauricio Ruffy cracks James Llontop with a straight left. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Ruffy is on a six-fight win streak and has UFC victories over Jamie Mullarkey (17-8-0) and James Llontop (14-5-0). A lethal, elusive striker, he’s always dangerous and constantly hunting a knockout. He’s highly accurate and favors power to volume, often throwing single shots with knockout intentions. Ruffy has fantastic distance control and head movement, typically staying at range and picking his opponents apart with brutal leg kicks. Training with the Fighting Nerds, he throws everything with impressive speed and is unpredictable, regularly attempting unorthodox strikes without telegraphing. He varies his shots well and will constantly look to draw in his opponents so he can land counterstrikes. Although 80% of Ruffy’s knockouts have come in the first round, he has solid cardio and can carry his power comfortably across 15 minutes. 

#5 Amanda Lemos vs. #7 Iasmin Lucindo

Amanda Lemos fires a powerful left hook at Marina Rodriguez. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Women’s Strawweight Bout

Amanda Lemos: 14-4-1, 8 KOT/KO, 3 Sub.

Iasmin Lucindo: 17-5-0, 8 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Lemos has won three of her last five bouts and has UFC victories over #6 ranked Strawweight Mackenzie Dern (15-5-0), #9 ranked Strawweight Marina Rodriguez (17-5-2), and #13 ranked Strawweight Angela Hill (18-14-0). She is a knockout artist with serious power in her hands and is dangerous anywhere. She throws every shot with power and knockout intentions. Lemos won’t push a crazy pace on the feet, making up for volume with power and accuracy, landing at a 54% accuracy rate. Training at Marajo Brothers Team, she is at her best when she’s controlling the center of the octagon and pressuring her opponent, throwing plenty of devastating front kicks and leg kicks when at distance. She averages just under one takedown landed per 15 minutes in the UFC and has shown a slick submission game, particularly her guillotine. Lemos has secured eight of her eleven finishes in round one and is most dangerous early on.

Iasmin Lucindo unloads a heavy front kick at Karolina Kowalkiewicz. Credit: Ag. Fight.

Lucindo has won four of her last five outings and has UFC victories coming over #9 ranked Strawweight Marina Rodriguez (17-5-2), Polyana Viana (13-7-0), and Karolina Kowalkiewicz (16-9-0). She’s an aggressive striker, always coming forward, pursuing a knockout. She’s very dangerous on the inside and is willing to eat one to land one, often tending to headhunt. Lucindo throws everything in combination and with brutal power, dealing out most of her damage with her punches. She’s landing, on average, over two takedowns per fifteen minutes and has landed multiple takedowns in all her UFC wins. She has solid offense when in top position, possessing heavy ground and pound and a sneaky submission game. Lucindo turned professional in MMA at 14, making her impressively experienced for a 23-year-old.

#13 Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes

Lightweight Bout

Jalin Turner lands a brutal kick to the head of Dan Hooker. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Jalin Turner: 14-8-0, 10 K0/TKO, 4 Sub.

Ignacio Bahamondes: 16-5-0, 11 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Turner has won two of his last five fights and has UFC victories over King Green (32-16-1), Uroš Medić (10-3-0), and Jamie Mullarkey (17-8-0). He’s an excellent striker who usually fights in an upright stance and throws everything in combination. He constantly pursues a finish but remains patient, never overextending or telegraphing attacks. He’s a sizeable Lightweight, standing at 6’3”, and uses his length by fighting at range and damaging his opponent without getting hit. Turner has power in both hands and is very fluid on the feet, quickly chaining attacks together and using various strikes. Training at Carlson Gracie Riverside, he’s averaging about one takedown landed per 15 minutes and has an impressive submission game, with three of his four submission wins coming in the first round. Turner is as active on the ground as on the feet and constantly tries to improve position or find a finish.

Ignacio Bahamondes stuns Manuel Torres with a right hand. Credit: MMA Mania.

Bahamondes has won four of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over Trey Ogden (17-6-0), Rongzhu (25-5-0), and Roosevelt Roberts (12-5-0). He’s a flashy striker capable of producing highlight-reel knockouts at any moment. He has excellent kickboxing, constantly switching stances and throwing quick combinations followed by devastating kicks. Bahamondes does a great job remaining composed at range or in the pocket, willing to exchange strikes anywhere. Although he hasn’t landed a takedown in the UFC, he’s defended 85% of them attempted on him and has a slick submission game. Training at Valle Flow Striking, he has shown he has both the cardio and the chin to back up his striking tendencies, allowing him to get into wars and throw with volume. Bahamondes, on average, has landed 79 significant strikes per fight in the UFC and is constantly pushing the pace.

#3 Justin Gaethje vs. #11 Rafael Fiziev

Justin Gaethje lands a stinging left hook on Michael Chandler. Credit: The Fight Library.

Lightweight Bout

Justin Gaethje: 25-5-0, 20 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Rafael Fiziev: 12-3-0, 8 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Gaethje has won three of his last five outings and has UFC victories over #4 ranked Lightweight Dustin Poirier (30-9-0), #7 ranked Lightweight Michael Chandler (23-9-0), and his current opponent, Rafael Fiziev. He’s one of MMA's most brutal, vicious strikers and is always willing to throw down. Possessing devastating power in both hands, he’s developed into a much more technical, skillful fighter in his promotional tenure. To match his KO power, Gaethje has some of the hardest leg kicks in MMA and throws them constantly. He has a collegiate wrestling background and solid takedown defense but has only landed a single takedown in the UFC and rarely goes to the mat. He’s exceptionally durable and is always willing to eat a shot to land one. Training with Elevation Fight Team, Gaethje has fantastic cardio and is always dangerous, capable of producing both early and late finishes.

Rafael Fiziev launches a body kick at Brad Riddell. Zuffa LLC.

Fiziev has won three of his last five fights and has UFC wins over #10 ranked Lightweight Renato Moicano (20-6-1), Rafael Dos Anjos (32-17-0), and Marc Diakiese (18-7-0). He is a dangerous striker who constantly pressures forward and always pursues a knockout. Averaging about 70 significant strikes landed in his last five outings, he has volume along with power and throws everything in combination. Training at Tiger Muay Thai, Fiziev is highly technical, fights behind his jab, and moves in and out of the pocket quickly without taking much damage. He has very efficient striking and rarely misses shots, but is also defensively sound, possessing excellent head movement and elusive footwork. With a background in Muay Thai and a pro kickboxing record of 39-8, he won’t typically initiate grappling exchanges but has defended 89% of the takedowns attempted on him in the UFC. Fiziev has a massive arsenal of attacks and can land spectacular moves like flying knees and spinning kicks.

(C) Alex Pereira vs. #1 Magomed Ankalaev

Alex Pereira knocks Jamahal Hill unconscious with a devastating left hook. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Middleweight Title Bout

Alex Pereira: 12-2-0, 10 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Magomed Ankalaev: 20-1-1, 11 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Pereira is on a five-fight win streak and has UFC victories over #2 ranked Middleweight Sean Strickland (29-7-0), #2 ranked Light Heavyweight Jiří Procházka (31-5-1), and #3 ranked Light Heavyweight Jan Błachowicz (29-10-1). He is a former Glory Kickboxing Middleweight and Light Heavyweight champion with a professional kickboxing record of 40-7. He is notorious for having the most devastating left hook in combat sports and loves letting it fly. Pereira has just as brutal kicks to back up his heavy hands, which he’ll often use to find his range before getting into the pocket to throw big hooks and devastating knees. He’s comfortable fighting on the outside of the octagon but is most dangerous when he takes the center and cuts off his opponent. He has shown solid takedown defense and continually improving grappling, but still prefers to keep it standing. Training at Teixeira MMA, Pereira doesn’t move a ton on the feet, occasionally standing straight in front of his opponent, waiting for them to throw something so he can fire back.

Magomed Ankalaev lands a cracking right hook on Thiago Santos. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Ankalaev has won three of his last five outings with a draw and a No Contest and holds victories over #5 ranked Light Heavyweight Aleksandar Rakić (14-5-0), #8 ranked Light Heavyweight Nikita Krylov (30-9-0), and #9 ranked Light Heavyweight Volkan Oezdemir (20-8-0). He holds the rank of Master of Sport in Combat Sambo and is a highly experienced grappler. Despite this, he averages just under one takedown landed per fifteen minutes and is comfortable in a striking battle. Ankalaev is very patient, typically throwing single shots with few combinations, but he makes up for his lack of volume with massive power. He constantly presses forward and throws every shot with purpose, with his pace increasing as the fight continues. Training at Gorets, he does an excellent job of holding the center and often looks to counterstrike. When Ankalaev takes the fight to the mat, he has smothering pressure in top position and will constantly look to posture up and land brutal ground and pound.

Best Bets

Ignacio Bahamondes Moneyline: An outstanding matchup of two exciting Lightweights, this will be a fun one. Each fighter seems to be trending in opposite directions lately, with Bahamondes on a two-fight, first-round knockout win streak. In contrast, Turner is coming off a tough knockout loss to Renato Moicano. Although Turner is a well-rounded fighter, typically one of his most significant advantages inside the Octagon is his height and reach, an advantage he does not possess in this matchup. Bahamondes also has a speed advantage with both his hands and kicks, and is overall the more technical striker. Turner does have an edge on the mat, but Bahamondes has shown solid takedown defense, and I anticipate this fight will primarily take place on the feet. I expect Bahamondes to keep Turner at range with long punches and kicks, deny any takedown attempts, and earn a hard-fought victory.

Justin Gaethje Moneyline: This fight is a rematch, with their first meeting taking place at UFC 286 in 2023. Despite what the current odds may suggest, Gaethje was the victor of their initial matchup via majority decision. Frankly, I’m baffled by Gaethje’s underdog status. While I can appreciate that he’s coming off a brutal knockout loss, he’s facing an opponent he’s already beaten, who’s coming in on short notice. Regardless of the circumstance, Gaethje is a horrible matchup for a fighter like Fiziev, who prefers a more technical pace and to stay at range where he can use his kicks. As he showed in their first matchup, Gaethje stays right in his opponent’s face, pushing a wild pace and never letting his opponent find any groove or comfort. Considering neither has changed their style much since their first fight (and Fiziev is coming in on short notice off an injury), I expect this matchup to play out similarly to the first one. I anticipate it being a bit wilder than the first, probably lacking any feeling out process to start, but I believe Gaethje walks away with another win.

Alex Pereira Moneyline: Finally, we get this long-awaited matchup of top-tier Light Heavyweights. There’s been plenty of build-up and back-and-forth between these two, so it’ll be interesting to see what gameplans these fighters utilize when they hit the cage. While its a safe bet Pereira will fight similarly to his recent performances, it’s tough to know exactly what Ankalaev’s plan is. While it seems obvious that Ankalaev’s best path to victory would be via wrestling, he doesn’t typically focus on takedowns and control time to win fights. Generally, he engages in stand-up battles and only resorts to wrestling when he’s hurt or losing the fight. Regardless of how Ankalaev approaches this puzzle, I believe Pereira has the skills to defeat him. Although we’re all aware of the power in Pereira’s hands, his leg kicks are equally devastating, which we saw Ankalaev struggle mightily with against Jan Błachowicz. He also struggled fighting all five rounds in that matchup, and has only done so twice in his career, while six of Pereira’s last seven fights were scheduled for five rounds. I anticipate competitive early striking exchanges before Pereira denies multiple takedowns, pieces Ankalaev up with his technical kickboxing, and earns yet another defense of his Light Heavyweight title.

UFC Fight Night: Kape vs. Almabayev Preview

Manel Kape lands a stinging left hand on Felipe dos Santos. Credit: MMA Fighting.

The UFC returns to its headquarters at the APEX with a superb Fight Night card. From start to finish, plenty of top-notch fighters are looking to perform on the biggest stage in MMA. In the co-main event, we’ll witness two prolific finishers face off when Cody Brundage takes on Julian Marquez. In the main event, there will be a clash of top-ten Flyweights when the always-entertaining Manel Kape takes on red-hot prospect Asu Almabayev. Let’s take a look at the fights on the main card.

Danny Barlow vs. Sam Patterson

Danny Barlow blasts Josh Quinlan with a brutal left hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Welterweight Bout

Danny Barlow: 9-0-0, 5 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Sam Patterson: 12-2-1, 4 KO/TKO, 7 Sub.

Barlow is undefeated and has UFC victories over Josh Quinlan (6-4-0) and Nikolay Veretennikov (12-6-0). A highly accurate striker with impressive speed and power, he’s always pursuing a knockout. He’s a lengthy fighter and uses it well, typically holding the center and picking his opponents apart with long straights and kicks. He constantly looks to set up flying knees, attempting them regularly throughout his fights. Barlow throws every shot with power and remains patient, continually looking for openings to do damage. Training at Law School MMA, he has solid cardio, carrying his power and speed across all three rounds and always remaining technical. He fights behind his jab, constantly popping it out before following up with brutal combinations. Barlow is unlikely to take the fight to the mat but has shown solid takedown defense and has an excellent sprawl.

Sam Patterson submits Kiefer Crosbie with a arm triangle choke. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Patterson has won four of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Yohan Lainesse (9-3-0) and Kiefer Crosbie (10-5-0). He’s a well-rounded scrapper who’s always willing to engage and has lethal chokes. He’s a lengthy fighter and uses it well, maintaining solid distance management while throwing long punches and kicks at range. Patterson remains technical on the feet, keeping his shots straight and tight without telegraphing or overextending. Patterson is averaging nearly two takedowns landed per fifteen minutes and transitions with impressive speed in top position. He prefers submissions to ground and pound and can find them incredibly quickly, typically pursuing chokes immediately upon reaching the mat. Patterson has secured half his victories in the first round and has not been past the second round in his last six fights.  

Hyder Amil vs. William Gomis

Hyder Amil lands a cracking left hook on JeongYeong Lee. Credit: MMA Mania.

Featherweight Bout

Hyder Amil: 10-0-0, 6 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

William Gomis: 14-2-0, 7 KO/TKO 1 Sub.

Amil is undefeated and has UFC victories over Fernie Garcia (10-5-0) and JeongYeong Lee (11-2-0). He’s a vicious, accurate striker that throws every punch with knockout intentions. He’s constantly pressuring forward, looking to unload combinations of heavy hooks and straights. Amil has a solid chin and is always willing to hang inside the pocket in brawl, but also has excellent head movement and counterstriking. Training with the Skrap Pack, he has a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and solid wrestling skills to back up his striking, capable of performing powerful slam takedowns. He pushes a heavy pace from the opening bell, always coming out guns blazing and extending lengthy combinations. Amil is at his most dangerous early on but carries his power throughout, having scored five of his six knockouts in the second round. 

William Gomis lands a perfectly executed spinning kick to the body of Yanis Ghemmouri. Credit: MMA Mania.

Gomis is on a thirteen-fight win streak dating back to 2016 and has UFC victories over Joanderson Brito (17-4-1), Francis Marshall (8-2-0), and Yanis Ghemmouri (12-3-0). He’s a patient, technical striker with a diverse kicking game. He won’t overwhelm his opponent with movement or volume, instead using accuracy and power to land damage. Training at MMA Factory, he’ll often end combinations with kicks and does an excellent job of moving in and out of the pocket without eating shots. He’s a solid wrestler, has fantastic takedown timing, and is very strong in the clinch. He’s patient in top position and won’t put himself in dangerous spots, but he has good pressure and is hard to shake off. Gomis is defensively sound everywhere, having defended 71% of significant strikes and 70% of takedowns attempted on him in the UFC.

Nasrat Haqparast vs. Esteban Ribovics

Nasrat Haqparast prepares to unload ground and pound onto Jamie Mullarkey. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Lightweight Bout

Nasrat Haqparast: 17-5-0, 10 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Esteban Ribovics: 14-1-0, 7 KO/TKO, 5 Sub.

Haqparast has won four of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over Jared Gordon (20-7-0), Marc Diakiese (18-7-0), and John Makdessi (18-9-0). He’s a tenacious, powerful striker who’s always coming forward looking to land damage. He fights behind his jab and throws everything in combination, regularly dipping his head before unloading looping hooks and overhands. Haqparast throws every shot with power and is very durable, always willing to eat a shot to land one, but has solid distance management and footwork. Training at TriStar Gym, he won’t often initiate grappling exchanges, often resorting to wrestling if he’s hurt or taking damage on the feet. He has solid cardio, pushing a consistent pace throughout while maintaining his power at all times. Haqparast always pushes a heavy pace, and has landed, on average, about 95 significant strikes in his last five fights. 

Esteban Ribovics cracks Daniel Zellhuber with a right hook. Credit: Yahoo Sports.

Ribovics has won four of his last five outings and has UFC victories over Terrance McKinney (15-7-0), Kamuela Kirk (12-6-0) and Daniel Zellhuber (15-2-0). He’s a heavy-handed scrapper, coming out guns blazing and pushing a heavy pace from bell to bell. He’s constantly looking to close the distance and unload inside the pocket with brutal hooks. Ribovics tends to brawl more as the fight continues, often starting rounds fighting technically and taking more risks as they go on. Training at Kill Cliff FC, he has solid defensive grappling abilities and has proven capable of surviving in deep waters on the mat. Although he won’t typically initiate grappling scenarios, he has heavy ground and pound and submission skills, particularly shoulder locks. Ribovics is always dangerous, especially early on, with five of his seven knockouts coming in the first round.

Cody Brundage vs. Julian Marquez

Cody Brundage brutally slams Zachary Reese to the mat. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Middleweight Bout

Cody Brundage: 10-6-0, 5 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Julian Marquez: 9-5-0, 6 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Brundage has won two of his last five bouts with one no contest and has UFC victories over Tresean Gore (5-2-0), Dalcha Lungiambula (11-6-0), and Jacob Malkoun (8-3-0). He is a powerful wrestler with solid power in his hands. He’s averaging over two takedowns landed and nearly one submission attempted per fifteen minutes. Brundage is willing to fight on the feet and throws everything with power, often ducking his head to throw counterstrikes. He uses a great variety of attacks and is a creative striker, with him most commonly throwing overhands and hooks. Training at FactoryX Muay Thai, he often shoots early and has solid takedowns, usually securing them quickly. Brundage is exceptionally explosive and unpredictable, holding one-shot knockout power and regularly jumping guillotines.

Julian Marquez exchanges punches with Sam Alvey. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Marquez has won two of his last five outings and has UFC victories over Sam Alvey (34-18-1), Darren Stewart (16-10-0), and Maki Pitolo (15-11-0). He’s a well-rounded brawler who’s always looking to push the action. He’s constantly coming forward, pressuring his opponent, and crashing into the pocket to throw big, looping hooks. Marquez has not attempted a takedown in UFC but is averaging over two submission attempts per fifteen minutes, often finding submissions defensively. He never accepts a position on the ground, always looking to improve and find a finish, usually a choke. Training at the MMA LAB, he tends to headhunt and throw every shot with knockout intentions. Marquez has scored all of his UFC finishes in round two or three and can survive in deep waters.

#6 Manel Kape vs. #8 Asu Almabayev

Manel Kape rains down ground and pound after dropping Ode’ Osbourne. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Flyweight Bout

Manel Kape: 20-7-0, 12 KO/TKO, 5 Sub.

Asu Almabayev: 21-2-0, 3 KO/TKO, 9 Sub.

Kape has won four of his last five fights and has UFC victories over #13 ranked Flyweight Bruno Silva (14-6-2), Ode’ Osbourne (12-8-0), and Felipe dos Santos (8-2-0). He is a former Rizin Bantamweight champion and is a fantastic, flashy striker. He’s constantly looking to counterstrike, throwing every shot with purpose and deadly accuracy. Kape has excellent distance management, switches stances constantly, and will often blitz in with big shots before returning to range. He has heavy power for a Flyweight and doesn’t telegraph anything, frequently timing his shots when his opponent enters his range. Training at Xtreme Couture, he won’t typically initiate grappling exchanges but has a solid submission game and can be dangerous off his back. Kape takes some time to get going, but once he finds his rhythm, he heats up and lets his hands go.

Asu Almabayev unloads ground and pound onto CJ Vergara. Credit: Athlon Sports.

Almabayev is on a 17-fight win streak and has UFC victories over Matheus Nicolau (19-6-1), Jose Johnson (16-10-0), and CJ Vergara (12-5-1). He’s exceptionally well-rounded, with dominant wrestling and flashy striking. He’ll constantly throw spinning attacks on the feet and can land damage at range or in the pocket. Almabayev has landed 18 takedowns in just four UFC fights and has excellent chain wrestling, able to find takedowns from anywhere. Training at DAR Pro Team, he’s an efficient grappler who never wastes energy or telegraphs his shots or transitions. He has smothering top control, rarely allowing his opponent to throw up any offense as he pursues a finish. Most of Almabayev’s finishes have come after round one, and he tends to heat up as the fight continues.

Best Bets

Barlow vs. Patterson to Not Go the Distance: This is an outstanding matchup to kick off the main card and I’m excited for this fight. Two relative newcomers to the UFC, this is a massive opportunity for either man to establish his name in the promotion with a big win. In a combined 24 career fights, they’ve produced 17 finishes, with 11 coming in the first round. Both have secured finish victories in four of their last five outings, and have similar height, reach, and age. Although both are prolific finishers, they do it differently; Barlow tends to get it done on the feet with his hands, while Patterson has secured most of his finishes with his slick submission game. Ultimately, this will be a battle of who can utilize their gameplan, with each fighter possessing distinct advantages in different scenarios. Regardless of who walks away the victor, I anticipate a wild scrap that does not last all three rounds.

Esteban Ribovics by Decision: This is a matchup of two exciting strikers that’s sure to produce highlights. Although they’re both strikers, they have differing styles and levels of experience. Haqparast is an established veteran, joining the UFC in 2017 and utilizing a heavy-hitting, technical style to take out his opponents. Ribovics is a high-paced, high-volume striker in the UFC since 2023 and has already established himself as a top-notch scrapper after his wild brawl with Daniel Zellhuber. Although Haqparast has a definite advantage in experience, Ribovics presents numerous challenges for Haqparast’s style. Ribovics has a notable edge in hand speed, a massive difference maker for two fighters who put out a lot of punches. Ribovics also has a larger arsenal of attacks, regularly mixing in kicks whereas Haqparast largely favors his hands. Lastly, while Haqparast has solid cardio, he’s yet to face someone with the pace and output of Ribovics, which I expect him to significantly struggle with. I expect Ribovics to outpace Haqparast, outland him, and ultimately wear him down to a decision victory.

Asu Almabayev Moneyline: This is a fascinating matchup of vastly different fighters and an excellent way to close the card. Kape is a true striker with plenty of flashy attacks in his arsenal, constantly looking for highlight reel knockouts. Almabayev is a highly technical, well-rounded fighter with outstanding kicks and smothering wrestling. Kape likely has an advantage over almost anyone on the feet, but unfortunately for him, they don’t call it mixed martial arts for nothing. Almabayev has the top-notch grappling you’d expect from a fighter of his descent, but is also an outstanding striker with impressive speed and range management. Kape showed in his fight with Muhammad Mokaev that if you can take him down, it significantly slows down his wild style. Although Almabayev isn’t quite the pure wrestler Mokaev is, I think that’s to his benefit: Kape has never faced anyone that could put it all together as well as Almabayev, often facing specialists in his UFC tenure. I expect Almabayev to compete with Kape on the feet, but ultimately land multiple takedowns and control his opponent to a victory.

UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Song Preview

Song Yadong fires a head kick at Ricky Simón. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

The UFC hits Seattle, Washington, this Saturday with an outstanding Fight Night card. Filled with exciting matchups throughout, this card will surely deliver plenty of highlights. In the co-main event, we’ll see two top-fifteen Middleweights on the rise go toe to toe when Brendan Allen takes on Anthony Hernandez. In the main event, former champion Henry Cejudo will look to right the ship against the always-dangerous Song Yadong. Let’s take a look at the fights on the main card.

Alonzo Menifield vs. Julius Walker

Alonzo Menifield fires a right hand at Vinicius Moreira. Credit: MMA Mania.

Light Heavyweight Bout

Alonzo Menifield: 15-5-1, 10 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Julius Walker: 6-0-0, 4 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Menifield has won two of his last five fights with one draw and has UFC victories over Dustin Jacoby (20-9-1), Jimmy Crute (12-4-2), and Paul Craig (17-9-1). He is an explosive striker with serious power in both hands and constantly pursues a finish. He throws constant looping shots and overhands and can do damage from anywhere. Menifield has excellent leg kicks and can land damage even when moving backward, making him always dangerous. Training at Saekson Muay Thai, he’s unlikely to initiate grappling exchanges but can land devastating ground and pound if he secures top position. Of his thirteen finishes, he’s scored ten in the first round and always comes out guns blazing. Menifield is at his most dangerous early on, often fading as the fight continues, and has never scored a third-round finish.

Julius Walker squares off with Bevon Lewis. Credit: Synergy FC.

Walker is undefeated and making his UFC debut. He’s a heavy-handed scrapper with great wrestling abilities. He has a solid chin and is willing to exchange inside the pocket, regularly coming forward to unload heavy, wide hooks. However, Walker is most comfortable on the mat and constantly looks to clinch up and pursue takedowns or throws. Training with Team Fusion, he transitions fluidly from position to position and has solid scrambles and reversals, typically finding himself in top position. He’s constantly working in top position, regularly looking to posture and land ground and pound or find an opening for a submission. Walker has earned three of six finish victories in under two minutes and pushes a heavy pace from the opening bell.

Jean Silva vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan

Jean Silva blasts Drew Dober with a cracking left hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Featherweight Bout

Jean Silva: 14-2-0, 11 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Melsik Baghdasaryan: 8-2-0, 5 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Silva is on an eleven-fight win streak and has UFC victories over Westin Wilson (17-9-0), Charles Jourdain (15-8-1), and Drew Dober (27-14-0). He’s a flashy striker with power in both hands who constantly hunts for a knockout. He starts slow, looking for openings and throwing heavy, single shots. Silva can get wild on the feet, fighting with his hands low, talking trash, and attempting spinning and jumping attacks. Training with Fighting Nerds, he heats up as the fight continues, gradually increasing his forward pressure and output. His best shots are his right straight and lead hook, and he’ll constantly look to set up either. Silva finished eight of his eleven consecutive wins in the first round but is dangerous anytime, anywhere.

Melsik Baghdasaryan fires a kick to the body of Tucker Lutz. Credit: MMA Mania.

Baghdasaryan has won four of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over Tucker Lutz (12-4-0),  Collin Anglin (9-5-0) and Bruno Souza (12-3-0). He is a former professional kickboxer with a record of 9-2 and challenged for a K-1 World Title before coming to MMA. Unsurprisingly, he’s an excellent striker with serious power in his punches and kicks. Baghdasaryan always comes forward and never telegraphs his shots, constantly varying his attacks and going to the head and body evenly. Training at Glendale Fighting Club, what he lacks in volume, he makes up for in power, although he does usually supply his opponent with a healthy dose of leg kicks. He has not attempted a takedown in the UFC and is most comfortable on his feet, but he has shown solid takedown defense. Baghdasaryan is highly defensively sound, rarely absorbs much damage, and has outlanded all his UFC opponents.

#9 (BW) Rob Font vs. Jean Matsumoto

Rob Font batters Cody Garbrandt with a straight right hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Catch Weight Bout (140 lbs.)

Rob Font: 21-8-0, 9 KO/TKO, 4 Sub.

Jean Matsumoto: 16-0-0, 3 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

Font has won two of his last five outings and has UFC victories over #12 ranked Bantamweight Kyler Phillips (12-3-0), Adrian Yañez (17-6-0), and Ricky Simón (20-6-0). He is a hands-first fighter, preferring to do damage with his crisp boxing skills. Training with New England Cartel, he always fights behind his jab, has excellent footwork, and does a great job cutting off the cage. Font throws everything in combination and has fantastic output, averaging about 78 significant strikes landed in his last five wins. He also has excellent hand speed and solid power, tending to heat up and increase his pace as the fight continues. He’s willing to grapple, and averages just under one takedown landed per fifteen minutes, but is at his best when he’s holding the center of the cage and dictating the pace of the fight. Font never gets too wild or telegraphs his shots, constantly moving and looking for different angles to attack.

Jean Matsumoto fires a powerful kick at the head of Brad Katona. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Matsumoto is undefeated and has UFC victories over Brad Katona (16-4-0) and Dan Argueta (9-3-0). He’s a dangerous, well-rounded fighter with impressive power in his hands and a black belt in BJJ. He throws everything with power and in combination but won’t get sloppy, keeping his shots straight and tight. Matsumoto regularly switches stances on the feet and has excellent kicks, constantly mixing them into punch combinations. He’s averaging over one takedown landed per fifteen minutes in the UFC and can find submissions with incredible speed, particularly chokes. Although technical, he’s willing to throw down in the pocket, regularly standing in front of his opponent and unloading hooks and straights. He has excellent cardio and pushes a consistent pace throughout, having already gone five rounds three times in his pre-UFC career.

#9 Brendan Allen vs. #12 Anthony Hernandez

Brendan Allen exchanges blows with Chris Curtis. Credit: Ag. Fight.

Middleweight Bout

Brendan Allen: 24-6-0, 5 KO/TKO, 14 Sub.

Anthony Hernandez: 13-2-0, 3 KO/TKO, 8 Sub.

Allen has won four of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Chris Curtis (31-12-0), Paul Craig (17-9-1), and Andre Muniz (24-6-0). He’s an excellent grappler with a lethal submission game and solid power in his hands. He’s always dangerous, whether on top or his back, constantly attempting submissions and looking to finish the fight. Training at Kill Cliff FC, he’ll throw heavy ground and pound in top position to open submission opportunities, typically pursuing chokes. He has solid striking to back up his grappling and has decent hands and kicks, using more of a boxing style when he’s on the feet. Although he pushes a heavy pace, he has solid cardio and can comfortably go five rounds. Allen has secured eleven of his fourteen submissions via rear naked choke and is deadly if he can find his opponent’s neck.

Anthony Hernandez applies a rear naked choke to Roman Kopylov. Credit: MMA Mania.

Hernandez is on a six-fight win streak and has UFC victories over #13 ranked Middleweight Michel Pereira (31-12-0), #14 ranked Middleweight Roman Kopylov (14-3-0), and JunYong Park (18-6-0). He’s a relentless grappler who’s always working for a finish and gets better as the fight goes on. He throws in combination on the feet and will use his striking to get into the pocket to either pursue a takedown or damage his opponent in the clinch. Hernandez is extremely durable, able to take a beating and still push a consistent pace, and often finds submissions out of seemingly nowhere. Training with MMAGold Fight Team, he has smothering clinch and top control, great takedowns, and extremely dangerous chokes, especially his guillotine. Five of his eight career submission wins are via guillotine, and he often performs his own modified version of the choke. Hernandez is very fluid on the ground and consistently finds a way to get to a safe position, always choosing position over submission.

#7 Henry Cejudo vs. #8 Song Yadong

Henry Cejudo engages with Merab Dvalishvili inside the pocket. Credit: Los Angeles Times.

Bantamweight Bout

Henry Cejudo: 16-4-0, 8 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Song Yadong: 21-8-1, 9 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Cejudo has won three of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over former Bantamweight champions TJ Dillashaw (18-5-0) and Dominick Cruz (24-4-0) and former Flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson (25-4-1). One of the most accomplished athletes in MMA, he’s a former UFC double champion (FLW & BW) and former Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling. Unsurprisingly, he’s an excellent grappler, averaging about two takedowns landed per fifteen minutes and possessing smothering top control. Training at Fight Ready, Cejudo has fantastic takedowns and scrambles, seemingly always finding a way to top position. He uses a karate-like style on the feet, holding a wide stance, constantly moving and mixing kicks into combinations. All his attacks are lightning-fast, often using his striking to get into the pocket and grapple. Cejudo has excellent takedown defense, having defended 75% of takedowns attempted on him in the UFC, and is highly fluid on the ground and in the clinch.

Song Yadong prepares to unload vicious ground and pound onto Ricky Simón. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Yadong has won three of his last five outings and has UFC victories over #6 ranked Bantamweight Marlon Vera (23-10-1), Ricky Simón (20-6-0), and Chris Gutiérrez (21-6-2). He’s an excellent technical striker who’s constantly pressuring forward and throwing every shot with knockout intentions. He has significant power in both hands, throws everything in combination, and remains technical throughout the fight, usually fighting behind his jab. Training at Team Alpha Male, Yadong varies his shots well, attacking the head and body evenly and remaining technical at all times. He’s powerful in the clinch and won’t typically pursue takedowns, but he has defended 72% of takedowns attempted on him in the UFC. He’s always willing to eat a shot to land one, regularly marching through punches to close the distance and throw offense of his own. Yadong has be awarded post-fight bonuses in nearly half his fights in the promotion and always leaves it all in the cage.

Best Bets

Jean Matsumoto Moneyline: A classic matchup of rising star and established veteran; I’m looking forward to this fight. Both are highly dangerous strikers with knockout victories on their records, and both push a heavy pace. Ultimately, I think the difference maker in this fight is Matsumoto’s grappling skills. Font has sometimes struggled with his takedown defense, having successfully defended only 44% of takedowns attempted on him in the UFC. Font has also recently struggled in high-paced bouts, which massively benefits Matsumoto’s style. Matsumoto is constantly coming forward and looking to either score a takedown or do severe damage with his hands, and while Font can strike with him, I think the pace will wear him down over the course of the fight. I expect Matsumoto to regularly mix in takedown attempts, land clean shots on the feet, and continue his winning ways in the UFC.

Anthony Hernandez by Decision: One of the closest matchups on the card regarding pure ability, this is an outstanding fight. Although they don’t have identical styles, both have similar skills, with a lethal submission game and dangerous striking. Allen is the more technical of the two, using clean boxing and BJJ to get the job done. Hernandez, on the other hand, has more of a ‘blood and guts’ style, always willing to eat a shot to land one while pushing a heavy pace. Honestly, both of these fighters rose up the ranks at the same time, and I’m surprised this matchup wasn’t made before now. Although I think they’re close in terms of skill, it’s my opinion that Hernandez has fought the tougher competition in the UFC so far. Not that Allen hasn’t faced any adversity, but Hernandez has had to survive in deep waters numerous times and still came out the victor, constantly finding himself in grueling battles. I think Hernandez will push a heavy pace from the opening bell, stay in Allen’s face the entire time, and ultimately walk away with another win.

Song Yadong Moneyline: This is an outstanding fight to cap off a very solid Fight Night card. Easily two of the most exciting fighters in the Bantamweight division, there’s sure to be plenty of highlights created by this matchup. Although this is a classic striker vs. grappler matchup on paper, it’s a bit more complicated than that. Neither man is simply a grappler nor a striker: Cejudo has a very unorthodox, karate-like striking style, while Yadong has proved to be an outstanding wrestler in his own right, both offensive and defensive. Both offer a very unique puzzle for any opponent, so it’ll be fascinating to see how their respective gameplans playout on Saturday night. Since returning from retirement in 2023, Cejuo has struggled significantly when unable to work his wrestling offense, consistently getting pieced up on the feet in his last two outings. Yadong has had outstanding takedown defense in the UFC, and if he can force Cejudo onto his back foot and keep the fight standing, it’ll be a long night for Triple C. I expect Yadong to consistently deny Cejudo’s takedowns, land the cleaner strikes on the feet, and become the third consecutive fighter to defeat Cejudo.

UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Rodrigues Preview

Jared Cannonier fires a head kick at Kelvin Gastelum. Credit: MMA Fighting.

The UFC returns to its headquarters at the APEX this Saturday with an outstanding Fight Night card. There are sure to be highlights created throughout the night, with both the prelims and the main card loaded with outstanding matchups and fantastic fighters. In the co-main event, we’ll see a matchup of talented Featherweights when the surging Youseff Zalal takes on divisional stalwart Calvin Kattar. In the main event, two heavy-handed brawlers will take center stage when the always-dangerous Jared Cannonier faces off against brutally powerful Gregory Rodrigues. Let’s take a look at the fights on the main card.

Rodolfo Vieira vs. Andre Petroski

Rodolfo Vieira secures an arm triangle choke on Armen Petrosyan. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Middleweight Bout

Rodolfo Vieira: 10-2-0, 1 KO/TKO, 9 Sub.

Andre Petroski: 12-4-0, 4 KO/TKO, 4 Sub.

Vieira has won three of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Cody Brundage (10-6-0), Dustin Stoltzfus (16-6-0), and Armen Petrosyan (9-4-0). He is among the most credentialed Jiu-Jitsu players in MMA and has won gold medals at the ADCC, World Championships, AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro, and more. He’s averaging over four takedowns landed per fifteen minutes and is very explosive, able to land takedowns in open space and along the fence. Vieira has a 100% finish rate, and all of his submission wins have been via choke, making him highly dangerous if he gets a hold of his opponent’s neck. On the feet, he uses basic boxing combinations and stays behind his jab, possessing solid power and typically using his striking to set up his grappling. Training with Team Nogueira, he advances with lightning speed on the ground, has heavy top pressure, and powerful ground and pound. Vieira has shown consistent improvement in his striking and is more willing to engage in striking exchanges, but he is still far more comfortable on the mat.

Andre Petroski attempts to lock up a rear naked choke on Wellington Turman. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Petroski has won three of his last five bouts and has UFC victories coming over Josh Fremd (11-6-0), Gerald Meerschaert (37-18-0), and Wellington Turman (18-8-0). He has a background in collegiate wrestling and is landing, on average, nearly four takedowns per 15 minutes. He has excellent offensive grappling, is able to land takedowns in open space, and often times double legs as his opponent throws strikes. On the ground, Petroski transitions quickly and is always pursuing a finish, whether via submission or ground and pound. Training at Renzo Gracie Philly, he has outstanding submissions, particularly chokes, and will regularly pursue them. He throws every punch with power when he’s on his feet, regularly loading up and firing bombs at his opponent. Petroski heavily favors his left hand and constantly looks to close the distance and unload power punches inside the pocket.

Ismael Bonfim vs. Nazim Sadykhov

Ismael Bonfim uncorks a right hand on Vinc Pichel. Credit: Ag. Fight.

Lightweight Bout

Ismael Bonfim: 20-4-0, 9 KO/TKO, 4 Sub.

Nazim Sadykhov: 9-1-1, 6 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Bonfim has won four of his last five outings and has UFC victories over Terrance McKinney (16-7-0) and Vinc Pichel (14-4-0). He is an exceptional striker with great technical boxing and fantastic range management. He does an excellent job of varying his shots, attacking the head and body evenly, and constantly pursuing a finish. Bonfim is willing to brawl inside the pocket, has devastating knees, and throws everything in combination. He is extremely explosive and always coming forward, often looking to land countershots. Training at Cerrado MMA, he has great cardio and can throw with power and volume, never gassing himself out or overextending. Bonfim is at his best when dictating the pace and controlling the center of the octagon, searching for counters and fight-ending shots.

Nazim Sadykhov secures a rear naked choke and submits Terrance McKinney. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Sadykhov has won four of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Terrance McKinney (16-7-0) and Evan Elder (9-2-0). He is a well-rounded, heavy-handed scrapper who is dangerous anywhere the fight goes. He has excellent footwork, holding the center of the Octagon while remaining in perpetual motion. Sadykhov remains technical throughout and always pushes a heavy pace, keeping his guard high and punches straight while still throwing with power. Training with Serra-Longo Fight Team, he’s averaging nearly two takedowns landed per fifteen minutes and has excellent scrambles and reversals, typically finding himself in top position following grappling exchanges. He can transition very quickly in top position and can find submissions with impressive speed, particularly chokes. Sadykhov has secured half his finishes in round three and can finish a fight at any time, regardless of how late or early on.

Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Dylan Budka

Edmen Shahbazyan unloads ground and pound onto AJ Dobson. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Middleweight Bout

Edmen Shahbazyan: 13-5-0, 11 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Dylan Budka: 7-4-0, 1 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Shahbazyan has won two of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over Brad Tavares (20-11-0), Dalcha Lungiambula (11-6-0), and AJ Dobson (7-3-0). He’s a technical kickboxer with significant power and great footwork. He fights behind his jab, favors power to volume, and constantly adds kicks to the end of combinations. He has excellent footwork and distance management and can go in and out of the pocket without absorbing much damage. Shahbazyan has solid offensive grappling, landing, on average, over two takedowns per fifteen minutes, and has brutal ground and pound. Training at Xtreme Couture, he’s always throwing in combination, keeping his opponent on the back foot and seeking a knockout. Eleven of Shahbazyan’s twelve finishes have come in the first round, and he’s at his best early on in the fight.

Dylan Budka fires a right hand at Andre Petroski. Credit: MMA Junkie.

Budka has won two of his last five outings and is looking for his first UFC victory. He’s a powerful wrestler constantly looking to get the fight to the mat. On the feet, he tends to blitz into the pocket with wide, looping hooks, often using his striking to set up his grappling. Budka is a tenacious wrestler, always willing to work for a takedown, whether it’s in open space or along the fence. He’s averaging over two takedowns landed per fifteen minutes in the UFC and has heavy top control, often holding a position and looking for submission openings instead of trying to posture. Training with Demolition Fight Team, he’s also an excellent defensive grappler, possessing outstanding takedown defense and is very strong inside the clinch. Budka pushes a heavy pace throughout the fight, constantly looking to wear down his opponents with his offense.

#10 Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal

Calvin Kattar lands a brutal left elbow on Josh Emmett. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Featherweight Bout

Calvin Kattar: 23-8-0, 11 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Youssef Zalal: 16-5-1, 4 KO/TKO, 9 Sub.

Kattar has won one of his last five fights and has UFC victories over #12 ranked Featherweight Giga Chikadze (15-4-0), #12 ranked Featherweight Dan Ige (18-9-0), and Andre Fili (24-11-0). He is a technical, patient boxer who fights behind his jab before letting go of brutal combinations with his hands. He pushes an insane pace, having surpassed 100 significant strikes landed in four of his last six fights, and can easily push that heavy pace over five rounds. Training with the New England Cartel, Kattar does a great job of lulling his opponent in by staying patient and not putting out a ton of offense before letting go of big combinations and darting back out to range. While he won’t typically initiate grappling exchanges, he has shown some solid wrestling abilities and has defended 72% of takedowns attempted on him in the UFC. When he finds himself in top position, he has heavy ground and pound and top control. Kattar has proven to be one of the toughest fighters in the UFC, regularly surviving in deep waters, and has a granite chin.

Youssef Zalal lands a brutal, cracking knee on the jaw of Jack Shore. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Zalal is on a six-fight win streak and has UFC victories over Jack Shore (17-3-0), Billy Quarantillo (18-7-0), and Jordan Griffin (18-10-0). Now on his second run in the promotion, He’s a well-rounded fighter with solid wrestling and technical kickboxing. He’s constantly moving, using his footwork to hold the center and keep his opponent on the outside. Zalal has outstanding elbows and knees and won’t get sloppy, never telegraphing attacks. Training at FactoryX Muay Thai, he has excellent wrestling and is averaging over two takedowns landed per fifteen minutes in the UFC. He won’t force anything on the ground, remaining patient and keeping himself in advantageous positions. Zalal has never been finished in his career and is willing to engage the fight anywhere.

#7 Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues

Jared Cannonier stuns Sean Strickland with a stiff right hand. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Middleweight Bout

Jared Cannonier: 17-8-0, 10 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Gregory Rodrigues: 16-5-0, 10 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Cannonier has won two of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over #2 ranked Middleweight Sean Strickland (29-7-0), #8 ranked Middleweight Marvin Vettori (19-7-1), and Jack Hermansson (24-8-0). He has fought at Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight in his promotional tenure and carries that Heavyweight power at 185 pounds. He throws everything with fight-ending intentions, constantly pressuring forward and always willing to eat a shot to land one. Cannonier has excellent footwork and regularly switches stances, typically opening up his combinations with his jab. Training at MMA LAB, Cannonier is fantastic at moving in and out of the pocket and usually won’t stay at range for long, often throwing damaging leg kicks when outside of the pocket. What he lacks in volume, he makes up for in power, and his pace increases as the fight continues. Cannonier is unlikely to take the fight to the mat but can land devastating ground and pound if he gets top position.

Gregory Rodrigues lands a stinging uppercut on Christian Leroy Duncan. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Rodrigues has won four of his last five outings and has UFC victories over Junyong Park (18-6-0), Chidi Njokuani (24-10-0), and Brad Tavares (20-10-0). “Robocop” has one of the best nicknames in MMA and some of the most devastating power in the promotion. He fights with a powerful kickboxing style, is willing to engage both in the pocket and at range, and has quick kicks for someone his size. Training at Kill Cliff FC, Rodrigues has knockout ability at all times and can seemingly find finishes from nowhere. He has excellent range management and movement and can land in the pocket and return to range unscathed. He has solid accuracy and volume to match his power, landing significant strikes with 56% accuracy in his UFC tenure. Rodrigues has an excellent chin and is more than willing to eat a shot to land one, regularly getting drawn into wild brawls.

Best Bets

Edmen Shahbazyan by KO/TKO: A matchup of two fighters at very different points of their UFC careers, this will be a fun one. This fight will be Budka’s third UFC appearance since signing in 2023, while this will be Shahbazyan’s twelfth fight in the promotion since 2018. They also have very different styles, with Budka being primarily a wrestler, constantly charging forward and pursuing takedowns. Shahbazyan, on the other hand, is a slick striker who’s constantly looking to damage his opponent with combinations and powerful kicks. Although both excel at their specialties, Shahbazyan is the more well-rounded of the two and the more experienced fighter. Shahbazyan has successfully defended 65% of takedowns attempted on him and has a solid wrestling background to supplement his outstanding kickboxing. Although Budka pushes a heavy pace, I expect Shahbazyan to deny takedowns early, wear Budka down, and ultimately earn a knockout victory.

Kattar vs. Zalal to Go the Distance: An outstanding matchup of two highly entertaining fighters, there are sure to be highlights in this fight. Both of these fighters are highly experienced and durable, and they have similar height and reach, making this matchup far closer than the betting odds may suggest. Despite recent struggles, Kattar is still one of the toughest, grittiest fighters in the UFC, always leaving everything inside the Octagon. Even with these recent losses, he’s still never been legitimately knocked out, with his one KO loss to Arnold Allen being caused by a knee injury he suffered during the fight. Zalal has been on a tear since re-entering the UFC and has won all his last six fights via finish, with four of them via submission. Despite this finishing streak, only three of those wins came in the UFC, and none against someone as durable as Kattar. I expect plenty of entertaining, exciting, striking exchanges and some close wrestling exchanges, but I anticipate this fight going to the judges’ scorecards.

Cannonier vs. Rodrigues to Not Go the Distance: A somewhat shocking matchup of two exceptionally powerful Middleweights, this is a fantastic way to close out this card. In a combined 46 professional fights, these two have combined for 20 knockout victories and 25 total finish victories. Both are well known for their lethal punching power and brawling tendencies, with either rarely appearing in a boring fight. Rodrigues has only been to a single decision in his last six outings, with all his other five fights ending via knockout. Although Cannonier has gone to multiple decisions recently, he hasn’t been matched up with a true brawler like Rodrigues in some time, often fighting slick, lengthy strikers or dominant grapplers. Both also would benefit massively from a finish victory; Cannonier needs to bounce back from two consecutive hard-fought losses, while Rodrigues is fighting a ranked opponent and main eventing for the first time in the UFC. I expect these two to go toe-to-toe from the opening bell, and with the power these fighters carry, it’s only a matter of time until someone is asleep on the canvas.

UFC 312 Preview

Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland both celebrate following their first matchup. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

The UFC heads down under to Sydney, Australia, with a fantastic pay-per-view card. Filled throughout with local talent, powerful finishers, and rising stars, this card is sure to deliver. In the co-main event, we’ll see the powerful grappler Tatiana Suarez receive her long-awaited title shot against the dominant Strawweight champion, Zhang Weili. In the main event, there’s a rematch of epic proportions when the brash fan favorite Sean Strickland faces off again against current titleholder Dricus Du Plessis. Let’s take a look at the fights on the main card.

Jake Matthews vs. Francisco Prado

Jake Matthews stuns André Fialho with a cracking right hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Welterweight Bout

Jake Matthews: 20-7-0, 5 KO/TKO, 8 Sub.

Francisco Prado: 12-2-0, 6 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

Matthews has won three of his last five fights and has UFC victories over André Fialho (16-9-0), Li Jingliang (19-9-0), and Phil Rowe (10-5-0). A member of the UFC since 2014, he initially established himself as a grappler, possessing a black belt in BJJ and averaging over one takedown landed per fifteen minutes. Lately, though, he’s shown a considerable uptick in aggression on the feet, being more than willing to brawl in the pocket. Training at Nexus, Matthews uses technical kickboxing and stays behind his jab, often trying to draw his opponent in so he can counterstrike. He varies his attacks well, has a solid chin, and throws everything with power without loading up. He has power in both hands, superb accuracy, and doesn’t often overreach, typically remaining patient and picking his shots. When Matthews does take it to the mat, he has great takedowns, excellent top control, and throws heavy ground and pound.

Francisco Prado lands a brutal spinning elbow on Ottman Azaitar. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Prado has won three of his last five bouts and has a UFC victory over Ottman Azaitar (13-3-0). He’s an explosive striker who throws every shot with power and is constantly hunting a knockout. He vastly favors power over volume, constantly throwing single shots and naked kicks with KO intentions. Prado tends to headhunt, often blitzing forward to unload looping hooks and uppercuts. Training at Goat Shed Academy, he won’t throw much at range, always looking to close the distance and let his hands go inside the pocket. He does a great job of holding the octagon's center and will constantly look to counterstrike. Prado can do severe damage without much space and has particularly devastating elbow strikes.

Jimmy Crute vs. Rodolfo Bellato

Jimmy Crute fires a head kick at Jamahal Hill. Credit: MMA Mania.

Light Heavyweight Bout

Jimmy Crute: 12-4-1, 5 KO/TKO, 4 Sub.

Rodolfo Bellato: 12-2-0, 7 KO/TKO, 4 Sub.

Crute has won one of his last five outings with one draw and has UFC victories over Paul Craig (17-9-1), Modestas Bukauskas (16-6-0), and Michal Oleksiejczuk (19-9-0). He has heavy hands and kicks on the feet, throwing every shot with power. He does an excellent job of managing distance, often picking his opponent apart at range with various attacks. Crute pushes a heavy pace and always pursues a finish, only seeing the judges’ scorecards once so far in his promotional tenure. He is an excellent grappler, holding a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and will often shoot for takedowns early. Training at Greco and Stewie’s House, Crute is averaging nearly five takedowns landed per fifteen minutes and is a tenacious wrestler, often chaining takedowns together. He has excellent top control and transitions quickly on the ground, averaging two submission attempts per fifteen minutes, and has two wins by Kimura in the UFC.

Rodolfo Bellato rains down ground and pound onto Ihor Potieria. Credit: Ag. Fight.

Bellato has won four of his last five fights and has a UFC victory over Ihor Potieria (20-8-0). He’s a heavy-handed scrapper that’s comfortable anywhere the fight goes. He throws every shot with power and often headhunts, regularly closing the distance and firing powerful hooks at his opponent. Bellato can throw with both power and volume but won’t get wild, remaining technical and carrying his power throughout the fight. He heats up as the fight continues, often taking some damage early before letting his hands go. Training with Team Nogueira, he has outstanding clinch striking and can do severe without much space, particularly with his elbows and knees. Bellato has proven exceptionally durable and capable of surviving in deep waters, always willing to eat a shot to land one while constantly pressuring forward. 

Justin Tafa vs. Tallison Teixeira

Justin Tafa blasts Parker Porter with a powerful left hand. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Heavyweight Bout

Justin Tafa: 7-4-0, 7 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Tallison Teixeira: 7-0-0, 6 KO/TKO,1 Sub.

Tafa has won three of his last five bouts with one no-contest and has UFC victories over Parker Porter (14-9-0), Harry Hunsucker (7-6-0), and Austen Lane (13-5-0). With a style reminiscent of his inspiration, Mark Hunt, he loves to brawl and has one-shot knockout power. He has an excellent chin and constantly throws bombs, often opening combinations with leg kicks. Training at NTG Fight, Tafa is a patient striker who will look for openings but is willing to eat one to land one. He has never been taken down in the UFC or attempted a takedown, always preferring to keep the fight standing. He has finished all his wins, and when he’s gotten out of the first round in the UFC, he’s averaging 60 significant strikes landed per fight. Tafa has shown he has the cardio to go 15 minutes, but with most of his victories coming in the first round, he’s most dangerous early on.

Tallison Teixeira loads up a right hand and prepares to fire on Arthur Lopes. Credit: Kevin Iole.

Teixeira is undefeated and making his UFC debut following a first-round KO victory on Dana White’s Contender Series over Arthur Lopes (6-2-0). He’s a massive, lengthy striker with serious, one-shot knockout power in his hands. Standing at 6’7”, he uses his length well, often firing kicks and long straights from range before entering the pocket to blast his opponent with hooks and uppercuts. Teixeira fights behind his jab and regularly mixes kicks into combinations but tends to headhunt, constantly pursuing a knockout. He has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but won’t typically initiate grappling exchanges, often remaining on his feet and taking advantage of what’s typically a significant advantage in height and reach. Training with Team Lucas Mineiro, he has a great chin and is willing to brawl on the inside, but he’s also extremely dangerous from range. Teixeira has not seen a second round in his brief professional career and has scored two finishes in 30 seconds or less. 

(C) Zhang Weili vs. #1 Tatiana Suarez

Zhang Weili viciously chokes out Carla Esparza to reclaim the Strawweight title. Credit: MMA Fighting.

Women’s Strawweight Title Bout

Zhang Weili: 25-3-0, 11 KO/TKO, 8 Sub.

Tatiana Suarez: 11-0-0, 2 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

Zhang has won four of her last five outings and has UFC victories over #2 ranked Strawweight Yan Xiaonan (19-4-0), #4 ranked Strawweight Jéssica Andrade (26-13-0), and #5 ranked Strawweight Amanda Lemos (14-4-1). She pushes a serious pace, both on the feet and the ground, and is dangerous wherever the fight goes. She is arguably the most powerful puncher in the division, made even more hazardous by her accuracy and ability to stay technical while still throwing bombs. Training at Beijing Black Tiger, Zhang varies her strikes well, attacking both the head and body and mixing kicks into combinations. She’s averaging over two takedowns landed per fifteen minutes and will immediately posture up and unload punches if she gets into top position. As she does on the feet, she always looks for the finish on the mat, constantly looking to improve position or find openings for submissions or ground and pound. This Saturday’s matchup will be Zhang’s eighth title fight in just twelve UFC appearances, having exclusively fought the best of the best in her promotional tenure.

Tatiana Suarez submits Jéssica Andrade with a guillotine choke. Credit: MMA Mania.

Suarez is undefeated and has UFC victories over #1 ranked Flyweight Alexa Grasso (16-4-1), #4 ranked Strawweight Jéssica Andrade (26-13-0), and Carla Esparza (20-8-0). One of the most skilled female grapplers in the UFC, she’s a dominant wrestler who’s nearly impossible to shake off. She has excellent takedowns, averaging over six landed per 15 minutes, and has landed multiple takedowns in all of her UFC fights. Training at Millennia MMA, Suarez won’t waste much time on the feet, often throwing kicks at range before closing distance and clinching up. Having defended 100% of takedowns attempted on her in the UFC, she’s seemingly always one step ahead in the grappling department, typically dominating her opponent if she can take top position. She’s extremely defensively sound and rarely takes much damage, landing, on average, about 3 times as many strikes as she absorbs per minute. The Ultimate Fighter 23 winner, Suarez, has the highest top position percentage in UFC women’s Strawweight history at 61.3%, and is rarely put into dangerous spots.

(C) Dricus Du Plessis vs. #1 Sean Strickland

Dricus Du Plessis postures up and prepares to unload ground and pound strikes onto Robert Whittaker. Credit: MMA Mania.

Middleweight Title Bout

Dricus Du Plessis: 22-2-0, 9 KO/TKO, 11 Sub.

Sean Strickland: 29-6-0, 11 KO/TKO, 4 Sub.

Du Plessis is on a nine-fight win streak and has UFC victories over #4 ranked Middleweight Israel Adesanya (24-5-0), #5 ranked Middleweight Robert Whittaker (27-8-0), and his current opponent, Sean Strickland. He utilizes a kickboxing style on the feet, regularly throwing a barrage of kicks from distance, especially to the legs. He has one-shot knockout power, with many of his knockouts seemingly coming from nowhere. Training at CIT Performance Institute, Du Plessis has power in both hands and will often blitz forward to throw big combinations. He throws everything with power and never telegraphs his shots, making him dangerous at all times. He frequently mixes grappling into his attacks, averaging over three takedowns landed per fifteen minutes. When on top, Du Plessis stays patient and won’t force anything, focusing on getting to advantageous positions before throwing ground and pound.

Sean Strickland forces Abus Magomedov to shell up as he throws a combination. Credit: Zuffa LLC.

Strickland has won four of his last five fights and has UFC victories over #2 ranked Middleweight Nassourdine Imavov (16-4-0), #4 ranked Middleweight Israel Adesanya (24-5-0), and #9 ranked Middleweight Brendan Allen (24-6-0). He’s an excellent striker, constantly coming forward and letting his hands go. While he prefers to keep the fight standing, he’s willing to grapple, averaging just under one takedown landed per fifteen minutes. Strickland also has solid takedown defense, defending 77% of takedowns attempted on him in the UFC. He uses a very upright boxing style on the feet, throwing every shot with purpose and in combination. He pushes a ridiculously heavy pace throughout, landing, on average, 151 significant strikes in his last five fights. Training at Xtreme Couture, Strickland tries to keep his opponent on the back foot as much as possible to open up opportunities to land strikes, especially his one-two.

Best Bets

Crute vs. Bellato to Not Go the Distance: A matchup of two well-rounded, heavy-handed fighters who are dangerous anywhere the fight goes; I expect plenty of highlights. In a combined 31 total fights, these two have only been to the judges’ scorecards five times and have produced 16 first-round finishes. While both have proven capable of going a full fifteen minutes, they always pursue a finish and leave everything inside the cage. Both are looking to score significant victories: Crute is looking for a bounce-back win after recent setbacks, and Bellato is looking to establish himself further after an excellent debut outing. With both of these powerful finishers pushing a heavy pace, I’d be stunned to see this go all three rounds. Although it may make it out of the first round, I anticipate an impressive finish victory for one of these fighters on Saturday.

Zhang Weili Moneyline: Zhang looks to earn her fourth title defense in this matchup, while after years of hype and setbacks, Suarez has finally fought her way to a title. While this particular matchup hasn’t been long-awaited, many fans have been waiting for Suarez to realize a title shot since her UFC debut in 2016. Now that she’s finally reached the top, the hype has truly boiled over, with Suarez being the betting favorite despite Zhang’s recent dominance. I’m shocked that the oddsmakers haven’t learned from UFC 311 when Umar Nurmagomedov was a favorite over Merab Dvalishvili; once again, a top-level, dominant champion is the underdog heading into their title defense. Although Suarez is undefeated and has some outstanding statistics to back her hype, this is by far her toughest matchup, with this being her first appearance in the Octagon since 2023 and only her third bout since 2020. Suarez has also never gone five rounds in her career, and this will be her first-ever appearance on the main card of a pay-per-view. Weili has vast championship and main card experience and has been consistently active since joining the UFC, fighting nothing but the best for multiple years. I expect Suarez to struggle with Zhang's pace and strength, and I anticipate Zhang will take full control in the championship rounds if it makes it that far. Ultimately, I expect a victory and another successful title defense for Zhang this weekend.

Dricus Du Plessis Moneyline: Less than a year after their first meeting in Toronto, two of the best Middleweights in the world will clash again. Considering how little time has passed since their first matchup, neither of their styles or skills has changed significantly. Strickland is still a pressure fighter, utilizing volume and constant forward motion to wear down and damage his opponents. Du Plessis is still an unorthodox, unpredictable wildman who can finish the fight from anywhere. While I expect it to be closely contended like the first fight, I anticipate a similar result. Du Plessis has an evident strength and power advantage and has proven to have shockingly good cardio, which are all serious problems for Strickland. Strickland’s usual gameplan relies on his cardio and being able to outpace his opponent, something he struggled with in their first matchup. I also expect more grappling exchanges in this bout, something I believe Du Plessis has a solid advantage in. I expect Du Plessis to weather the early onslaught, withstand Strickland’s pressure, and put an official end to their rivalry with another title defense.