*Steve Garcia unloads ground and pound strikes onto Shaylian Nuerdanbieke. Credit: MMA Junkie.*

The UFC returns to its headquarters at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, with an excellent Fight Night card. This card has been loaded with plenty of exciting prospects, rising stars, and top-ranked fighters all looking to score a bonus-earning highlight this Saturday night. In the co-main event, two powerful Heavyweights will collide when the heavy-handed Waldo Cortes-Acosta takes on dangerous UFC newcomer Ante Delija. In the main event, two red-hot Featherweights face off for a chance at a top-ten ranking when knockout artist Steve Garcia goes toe-to-toe with an equally potent striker in David Onama. Let’s take a look at the fights on the main card.

Allan Nascimento vs. Cody Durden

*Allan Nascimento maintains top control on Jafel Filho. Credit: Ag. Fight.*

Catchweight Bout

Allan Nascimento: 21-6-0, 1 KO/TKO, 15 Sub.

Cody Durden: 17-8-1, 6 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

Nascimento has won four of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Jake Hadley (12-5-0), Jafel Filho (17-4-0), and Carlos Hernandez (10-5-0). He’s a submission ace with outstanding grappling skills and powerful striking. While standing, he throws everything with power and uses his striking to set up his grappling, often stunning his opponent with heavy shots before shooting for a takedown. Nascimento has outstanding control on the mat and will rarely lose position, not typically looking to posture up or get wild with ground and pound. Training at Chute Boxe DL, He’s very fluid on the mat and will regularly transition from one submission to another, constantly pursuing a finish. He has outstanding reversals and sweeps and will often find a way to top position even if he’s the one taken down. Nascimento is particularly dangerous on the back and can find chokes very quickly, with nine of his fifteen submission victories coming via choke.

*Cody Durden fires a lunging jab at Matt Schnell. Credit: MMA Mania.*

Durden has won one of his last five bouts, holding UFC victories over Matt Schnell (17-9-0), Charles Johnson (18-7-0), and Aoriqileng (26-12-0). He’s a dominant wrestler with great cardio and technical striking. He’s landing, on average, over four takedowns per fifteen minutes in the UFC and can land takedowns in the clinch or in open space. Durden is always working in top position, advancing with impressive speed and constantly attacking with ground and pound and submission attempts. Training at American Top Team, he won’t get sloppy on the feet, throwing everything straight and tight while regularly mixing in body shots. He has excellent striking in the clinch and can do serious damage without much space, particularly with his elbows. He’s averaging nearly six minutes of control time in his UFC victories and will always look to get the fight to the mat.

Charles Radtke vs. Daniel Frunza

*Charles Radtke lands a cracking left hook on Blood Diamond. Credit: MMA Junkie.*

Welterweight Bout

Charles Radtke: 10-5-0, 5 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Daniel Frunza: 9-3-0, 8 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

Radtke has won three of his last five outings and holds UFC victories over Matthew Semelsberger (11-8-0), Gilbert Urbina (7-5-0), and Blood Diamond (3-3-0). He’s a powerful scrapper who’s always coming forward and throwing bombs. He throws every shot with power and comes out guns blazing, getting on his front foot immediately and forcing his opponent to the outside of the cage. Radtke will throw very few kicks and is constantly looking to close the distance and let his hands go, especially his left hook. He has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is a solid wrestler, but is comfortable on his feet and won’t typically look to bring the fight to the mat. Training at Valle Flow Striking, he’s highly explosive and favors power to volume, regularly going from methodically stalking his opponents to unloading heavy shots in the blink of an eye. Radtke can produce a knockout at any time but is especially dangerous early on, with five of his seven finish wins coming in the first round.

*Daniel Frunza stuns Vadym Kutsyi with a cracking right hand. Credit: Zuffa LLC.*

Frunza has won four of his last five fights and is looking to score his first UFC victory. He’s an aggressive striker with solid power who’s always willing to brawl. He fights behind his jab and has power in both hands, regularly switching stances before stepping into the pocket to let his hands go. Frunza favors power to volume, throwing every shot with accuracy and purpose and constantly looking to land a knockout blow. Training at Black House Santiago, he tends to headhunt and carries his power throughout the fight, often heating up as the fight continues and increasing his pace. He rarely pursues takedowns but has solid takedown defense and getups, not usually spending much time on the mat. Frunza always leaves everything inside the cage and has only been to a single decision in his professional career.

Isaac Dulgarian vs. Yadier del Valle

*Isaac Dulgarian rains down vicious ground and pound shots onto Brendon Marotte. Credit: MMA Junkie.*

Featherweight Bout

Isaac Dulgarian: 7-1-0, 4 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Yadier del Valle: 9-0-0, 2 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Dulgarian has won four of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over Francis Marshall (8-3-0) and Brendon Marotte (8-3-0). He’s a dominant wrestler with excellent takedowns and top control. He won’t waste much time on the feet, usually shooting a takedown immediately, and has landed 10 takedowns in three UFC fights. Dulgarian can land takedowns in open space or along the fence, and will advance position and transition quickly when it goes to the mat. Training at FactoryX Muay Thai, he’s intelligent in top position, never forcing anything or putting himself in dangerous positions. He’ll take what his opponent gives him; if there’s an opening for a submission, he’ll pursue it; otherwise, he'll throw brutal ground and pound. Dulgarian can produce finishes with astounding speed, having secured three victories in two minutes or less.

*Yadier del Valle sinks in a tight guillotine choke on Antonio Monteiro. Credit: MMA Mania.*

Del Valle is undefeated, with a UFC victory coming over Connor Matthews (7-4-0). He’s a well-rounded fighter with knockout power and a slick submission game. He’s in perpetual motion, constantly circling and utilizing his footwork before blitzing into the pocket to unload a flurry of heavy, looping shots. Del Valle has excellent clinch striking and can do significant damage without much space, particularly with his punches, knees, and elbows. Training at Gracie Barra Westchase, he has solid takedowns and times them well, is very strong in the clinch, and is tough to get away from along the fence or on the mat. He has particularly dangerous chokes, especially his guillotine, and will constantly look to get a hold of his opponent's neck, even when standing. Del Valle's pace slows as the fight continues, but he remains dangerous at all times, carrying his power throughout.

Jeremiah Wells vs. Themba Gorimbo

*Jeremiah Wells lands follow up shots after dropping Warlley Alves with a right hand. Credit: Essentially Sports.*

Welterweight Bout

Jeremiah Wells: 12-4-1, 5 KO/TKO, 4 Sub.

Themba Gorimbo: 14-5-0, 2 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

Wells has won three of his last five outings and holds UFC victories over Matthew Semelsberger (11-8-0), Court McGee (23-14-0), and Warlley Alves (15-8-0). He’s a wild brawler with big-time punching power and explosive wrestling skills. He’s constantly looking to get into the pocket and let his hands go, often circling and not offering much offense before suddenly charging inside and unloading a barrage of wide, powerful hooks. He looks to make every bout into a dogfight, always throwing caution to the wind and looking to exchange on the inside. Wells is landing, on average, over three takedowns per 15 minutes and is a powerful wrestler with excellent double-legs and takedowns in the clinch. Training at Renzo Gracie Philly, He’s very active in top position, always working to improve and constantly looking to posture up and land brutal ground and pound. Wells has secured all of his submission wins via rear-naked choke and is especially dangerous if he can secure his opponent’s back.

*Themba Gorimbo charges at Niko Price with a right hand. Credit: MMA Junkie.*

Gorimbo has won four of his last five bouts, holding UFC victories over Niko Price (16-9-0), Ramiz Brahimaj (13-5-0), and Takashi Sato (16-8-0). He’s a tenacious grappler who’s constantly looking to get the fight to the mat and find a finish. He’s averaging nearly five takedowns landed per fifteen minutes and is willing to chain together attempts and work along the cage to bring the fight to the mat. Whether in the top or bottom position, he’s always working to improve, find a submission, or do damage. Training at Xtreme Couture, his grappling sets up his striking, making his opponents worry about his takedowns and not the power in his hands. He’s very accurate with his striking, landing, on average, nearly 3 times as many significant strikes as he absorbs, and has landed 61% of the significant strikes he’s attempted in the UFC. Gorimbo has secured more than half of his finishes in the first round, but he has solid cardio and is dangerous at all times.

#6 Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. #9 Ante Delija

*Waldo Cortes-Acosta unloads heavy ground and pound shots onto Ryan Spann. Credit: MMA Mania.*

Heavyweight Bout

Waldo Cortes-Acosta: 14-2-0, 6 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Ante Delija: 26-6-0, 12 KO/TKO, 7 Sub.

Acosta has won four of his last five outings and holds UFC victories over #7 ranked Heavyweight Serghei Spivac (17-6-0), Ryan Spann (23-11-0), and Andrei Arlovski (34-24-0). He is a heavy-handed striker with excellent boxing and a dangerous right hand. He throws every shot with power, regularly coming forward to unload looping hooks and devastating overhands. Training at UKF Gym, Acosta is most at home in a brawl, working inside the pocket and firing knees and elbows in the clinch. He tends to favor power to volume, unloading single shots with knockout intentions. While he won’t usually initiate grappling exchanges, he has demonstrated a solid ability to return to his feet. Acosta is defensively sound and won’t usually absorb much damage, having outlanded six of his last eight opponents.

*Ante Delija blasts Marcin Tybura with a concussive left hook. Credit: MMA Fighting.*

Delija has won four of his last five fights, with a UFC victory coming over #10 ranked Heavyweight Marcin Tybura (27-10-0). He’s a hard-charging brawler with one-shot knockout power. He comes out guns blazing, throwing everything with power and pushing a heavy pace from the opening bell. Delija has fast hands for a Heavyweight, often putting out single shots before entering the pocket to unload thunderous combinations. Training at the Cro Cop Squad Gym, he will pursue takedowns, typically against strikers, and is capable of powerful slams. He has heavy pressure in top position and remains active, constantly looking to posture up and work for a finish. Delija has the cardio to go three rounds but rarely sees a second, having earned 11 first-round knockouts, and five of his last six outings ended in round one.

#12 Steve Garcia vs. #13 David Onama

*Steve Garcia looks to finish Kyle Nelson with ground and pound. Credit: MMA Junkie.*

Featherweight Bout

Steve Garcia: 18-5-0, 14 KO/TKO, 0 Sub.

David Onama: 14-2-0, 7 KO/TKO, 4 Sub.

Garcia is on a six-fight win streak and has UFC victories over Calvin Kattar (23-10-0), Kyle Nelson (17-6-1), and Melquizael Costa (24-7-0). He’s a heavy-handed striker who’s always 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 averaging about one takedown landed 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. Garcia rarely takes much damage and is landing, on average, more than double the amount of significant strikes than he absorbs.

*David Onama lands a stinging left hand on Giga Chikadze. Credit: MMA Junkie.*

Onama has won four of his last five bouts, holding UFC victories over #15 ranked Featherweight Giga Chikadze (15-5-0), 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 three 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 exchange blows 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.

Best Bets

Radtke vs. Frunza to Not Go the Distance: This is an exciting matchup of two brawlers that’s sure to produce highlights. Neither of these fighters often sees the judges' scorecards; in a combined 27 fights, they’ve produced 15 finishes, with 8 of them coming in the first round. Both men fight with a kill-or-be-killed mentality and tend to go out on their shield, with both having been finished in the majority of their losses and only going to a combined six decisions total. Win or lose, both of these fighters are always willing to go toe-to-toe and leave everything inside the cage. This is also an opportunity for both of these scrappers to bounce back, as both of them are coming off of knockout losses and in need of a big win to solidify their status within the UFC. I expect this fight to get off to a quick start, with them meeting in the middle of the Octagon and letting their hands go from the opening bell. I anticipate constant exchanges in the pocket, with both fighters throwing with knockout intent, until one lands the finishing blow. Regardless of who emerges as the victor, I’m confident that it will not be decided by the judges.

Themba Gorimbo Moneyline: An excellent matchup of two dangerous scrappers, I’ve been looking forward to this one. While both fighters have well-rounded skill sets, they aren’t identical in style. Wells is an explosive brawler, constantly looking to land huge, heavy punches or blast double legs. Gorimbo is a more measured fighter, still willing to brawl a bit on his feet but with excellent wrestling skills to back up his striking. While neither is overly technical or a point-fighter, I believe Gorimbo has the edge in technical skills, both in striking and grappling. Wells largely relies on his power, offering little volume when striking and using his explosiveness and forward momentum to earn takedowns. Gorimbo, while a powerful striker in his own right, maintains a more cautious pace, using his striking to create openings for takedowns and focusing on maintaining control in top position rather than just posturing and hunting for a finish. Gorimbo also has a sizeable four-inch height advantage, which should make it tougher for Wells to close the distance and fight in the pocket where he’s most effective. I expect Gorimbo to fight Wells from range, landing long punches and kicks, and keeping Wells on the outside of the cage and on his back foot. As the fight continues, I anticipate Wells's pace and aggression to decrease, and for Gorimbo to take control, landing takedowns and inflicting damage from top position. While I’m unsure how this fight will end or how long it will last, I believe Gorimbo will earn a solid victory this Saturday.

Steve Garcia Moneyline: This is an outstanding fight between two hot prospects who are quickly rising up the rankings. While both are primarily strikers, they’ve earned their UFC victories in very different fashions. Onama has methodically and technically beaten down his opponents, using sharp striking and efficient wrestling to secure victory. Garcia is a knockout artist, having KO’d five of his last six opponents, utilizing his excellent power and accuracy to end fights quickly. Although currently on an impressive win streak, Onama has proved not only willing to brawl but to be hittable, absorbing, on average, about 61 significant strikes in his last five fights. Garcia is averaging just 12 significant strikes absorbed in his last five outings, and in my opinion, has been facing higher-level competition than Onama has. Regardless, I expect Garcia to give Onama more respect than he has other opponents and fight with a more measured approach, similar to how he fought in his last outing against Calvin Kattar. I expect this fight to start a little slow, with both men finding their distance and timing, but for it to quickly heat up in the early rounds. As both fighters get comfortable and let their hands go, I expect Garcia to get the better of Onama in the pocket, overpowering him in striking exchanges and landing the more consequential shots. When Garcia begins to control the fight, I anticipate Onama to look for takedowns and get denied, allowing Garcia to either further wear him down on his feet or damage him from top position. Ultimately, I believe Garcia will put on an outstanding, well-rounded performance and earn another ranked victory.

UFC Fight Night: Garcia vs. Onama Preview