*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: Blanchfield vs. Barber Preview