*Raúl Rosas Jr. lands a thudding left hand on Terrence Mitchell. Credit: MMA Fighting.*

The UFC returns to its headquarters at the APEX Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, for an exciting Fight Night card. There are plenty of excellent matchups throughout, including the finals of The Ultimate Fighter 34 tournament. In the co-main event, two top-tier women’s Bantamweights go toe-to-toe as dangerous grappler Ailín Pérez takes on precise striker Norma Dumont. In the main event, two five-fight win streaks collide when crafty veteran Raoni Barcelos faces grappling ace Raúl Rosas Jr. First, we’ll take a look at two select preliminary bouts, then break down the main card.

Prelims

Rodolfo Vieira vs. Robert Bryczek

*Rodolfo Vieira submits Armen Petrosyan with a tight arm triangle choke. Credit: MMA Fighting.*

Middleweight Bout

Rodolfo Vieira: 11-5-0, 1 KO/TKO, 9 Sub.

Robert Bryczek: 18-7-0, 12 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Vieira has won two of his last five fights and holds UFC victories over Cody Brundage (12-9-1), Dustin Stoltzfus (17-8-0), and Tresean Gore (8-4-0). He is among the most credentialed Jiu-Jitsu players in MMA and has won gold medals in various high-level BJJ competitions. He’s averaging nearly three takedowns per fifteen minutes and has excellent timing, usually landing them quickly while remaining willing to shoot repeatedly to bring the fight to the mat. Over his UFC tenure, he’s improved his striking considerably and is much more willing to stay standing. He has decent power in his hands and fights behind his jab, constantly throwing it and following with heavy straights and hooks. Training with the Fighting Nerds, he has excellent top control and consistently works to improve in top position. Vieira is a submission ace with outstanding chokes, especially his arm triangle choke, which accounts for five of his nine submission wins.

*Robert Bryczek fires a looping left hand at Brad Tavares. Credit: MMA Mania.*

Bryczek has won three of his last five bouts and has a UFC win over Brad Tavares (21-13-0). He’s a devastating knockout artist who’s always coming forward. He relentlessly pressures his opponents, looking to force them to the outside and up against the cage so he can close the distance and unload combinations. Training with Veto Team, Bryczek has solid head movement and throws everything with knockout intent, regularly stringing together several wide, heavy hooks inside the pocket. He is a BJJ black belt with solid takedown defense but won’t typically initiate grappling exchanges. He varies his targets well and regularly mixes devastating body shots into his combinations. Bryczek is at his best early on and has earned ten of his thirteen finish victories in the first round.

Brady Hiestand vs. Rinya Nakamura

*Brady Hiestand submits Garrett Armfield with a tight rear naked choke. Credit: MMA Fighting.*

Bantamweight Bout

Brady Hiestand: 9-2-0, 4 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Rinya Nakamura: 10-1-0, 6 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Hiestand has won four of his last five outings and has UFC victories over Garrett Armfield (10-5-0), Fernie Garcia (10-5-0), and Batgerel Danaa (12-5-0). He’s a powerful wrestler with excellent cardio and a great kicking game. He has quick, effective entries on his takedowns and averages nearly five per 15 minutes. Training at Sikjitsu, Hiestand has excellent top control and relentlessly pursues submissions and opportunities to posture up and do damage. He’s most comfortable on the mat but is willing to strike and has exceptional durability, sneakily powerful kicks, and excellent footwork. He will push a heavy pace throughout, constantly attempting takedowns or wearing down his opponent’s cardio with smothering pressure on the ground. Hiestand has great cardio and is dangerous at all times, having secured his last two victories via third-round finishes.

*Rinya Nakamura rains down heavy ground-and-pound onto Carlos Vera. Credit: MMA Junkie.*

Nakamura has won four of his last five fights and holds UFC wins over Nathan Fletcher (9-3-0), Carlos Vera (12-4-0), and Fernie Garcia (10-5-0). He’s an explosive fighter with serious punching power and outstanding wrestling. He’s in perpetual motion inside the cage, remaining elusive while constantly circling and looking for openings to land power punches. He throws everything with impressive power and speed, regularly dipping his head and blitzing into the pocket to unload huge hooks and overhands. Training at American Top Team, he’s averaging over two takedowns per fifteen minutes and constantly postures up to do damage from the top position. He has heavy ground-and-pound and strong takedown defense, always keeping himself out of bad spots in his pursuit of a finish. Nakamura has solid cardio but can produce finishes in a hurry, having secured four of his six knockout wins in less than a minute and a half.

Main Card

Melissa Amaya vs. Tina Black

*Melissa Amaya cracks Gillian Noll with a heavy right hand. Credit: Combate Global.*

The Ultimate Fighter 34 Women’s Strawweight Final

Melissa Amaya: 8-0-0, 3 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Tina Black: 15-4-0, 5 KO/TKO, 1 Sub.

Amaya is undefeated and fighting in the finals of The Ultimate Fighter 34 after defeating Anna Melisano (6-2-0) and Giovanna Canuto (7-2-0). She’s a well-rounded scrapper with clean, technical striking and excellent submissions. Training at Sikjitsu, she fights behind her jab and consistently lands heavy kicks from range, both high and low. Amaya won’t push a crazy pace but is highly accurate and precise, staying patient, picking her shots, and remaining elusive. She won’t shoot many takedowns but has excellent top pressure and is defensively sound on the bottom, with great get-ups and reversals. She’s just as technical on the mat and won’t get wild going for a finish, but can find submissions with impressive speed, particularly chokes. Amaya doesn’t see the judges’ scorecards often, scoring finish wins in both of her Ultimate Fighter bouts and three of her last four professional outings.

*Tina Black fires a stiff jab at Natália Alves. Credit: MMA Mania.*

Black has won four of her last five bouts and is fighting in the finals of The Ultimate Fighter 34 after defeating Natália Alves (8-0-0) and Delphine Benouaich (8-2-0). She’s a sharp, efficient striker with solid punching power. She’s patient on her feet, floating along the outside of the cage, darting into the pocket to land combinations, then returning to range. Black will remain technical throughout, rarely trading on the inside and never wasting energy. Training at Team Alpha Male, she’s unlikely to initiate grappling exchanges but has solid takedown defense and a great sprawl. She’s highly accurate and throws every shot with power, typically headhunting and heavily favoring her hands. Black tends to heat up as the fight continues, steadily increasing her output and taking more chances.

Mehemmedeli Osmanli vs. Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu

*Mehemmedeli Osmanli submits Artem Belakh with a vicious rear naked choke. Credit: Zuffa LLC.*

The Ultimate Fighter 34 Bantamweight Final

Mehemmedeli Osmanli: 12-1-0, 2 KO/TKO, 8 Sub.

Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu: 10-3-0, 0 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

Osmanli is on a nine-fight win streak and is fighting in the finals of The Ultimate Fighter 34 after defeating Artem Belakh (11-2-0) and Christian Strong (9-1-0). He’s a versatile fighter with dangerous, flashy striking and lethal chokes. He’s very accurate and fluid with his striking, constantly mixing kicks into his combinations and varying his targets. Training at ZS Fight Club, Osmanli will relentlessly pressure his opponents and regularly throw caution to the wind, unloading heavy head kicks and wild spinning kicks. He has solid takedowns, is willing to chain them together to bring the fight to the ground, and immediately works toward a dominant position once he gets it to the floor. He’s dangerous from both top and bottom and stays active on the mat, pursuing submissions or posturing up to land powerful ground-and-pound. Osmanli has secured all of his submission wins via choke and has a wide variety in his arsenal, including a win via buggy choke on The Ultimate Fighter.

*Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu unloads ground-and-pound onto Gadzhimurad Gasanguseinov. Credit: ONE Championship.*

Akylbek has won three of his last five outings and is fighting in the finals of the Ultimate Fighter 34 after defeating Sean Mora (7-1-0) and Xavier Franklin (6-1-1). He’s a grinding wrestler who’s always coming forward. He remains technical on his feet, throws everything with big power, but rarely wastes time before clinching or shooting for a takedown. He has outstanding speed and timing on his takedown entries, excellent trips and throws from the clinch, and can elevate his opponents for vicious slams. Training at VFS Academy, he focuses on control from the top position and maintains smothering pressure, never getting wild or losing his position. He has great cardio and will push a heavy grappling pace throughout, constantly chaining together takedown attempts or doing damage on the mat. Akylbek is always dangerous and has secured three of his six submission wins in the third or fourth round.

Luis Hernandez vs. Sedriques Dumas

*Luis Hernandez submits Hugo Guillon with a slick rear naked choke. Credit: Zuffa LLC.*

Light Heavyweight Bout

Luis Hernandez: 8-0-0, 3 KO/TKO, 5 Sub.

Sedriques Dumas: 10-5-0, 4 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Hernandez is undefeated and making his UFC debut. He’s a marauding brawler with heavy hands and excellent wrestling. He comes out guns blazing, pushing a heavy pace from the opening bell, constantly pressuring his opponent and throwing heavy combinations and kicks. Hernandez is always willing to exchange in the pocket and is dangerous at close range, especially in the clinch, where he has devastating elbows and knees. Training at Freedom Fighters, he is a BJJ brown belt, has solid takedowns, and is willing to work along the cage or shoot repeatedly to get the fight to the mat. He has excellent chokes that he can secure very quickly and finish from anywhere, whether it’s a standing guillotine or a rear naked choke. Hernandez has yet to see the judges’ scorecards in his professional career and is in constant pursuit of a finish.

*Sedriques Dumas fires a kick to the head of Michal Oleksiejczuk. Credit: MMA Junkie.*

Dumas has won one of his last five fights, with one draw, and has UFC victories over Cody Brundage (12-9-1), Denis Tiuliulin (10-10-0), and Abu Azaitar (14-4-1). He’s a technical striker who constantly looks to counter his opponent with big punches. He regularly throws kicks at range and has excellent distance management. He prefers power to volume, typically throwing single shots and naked kicks while fighting behind his jab. Dumas has a solid takedown game and decent top control but is much more comfortable on his feet. Training with Team Remedy, he’s accurate, never overextending or wasting significant energy. Although he won’t move around too much, he keeps his head off the centerline and remains elusive. He’s averaging just 15 significant strikes per fight in the UFC and is at his best in a technical kickboxing match.

#2 Norma Dumont vs. #4 Ailín Pérez

*Norma Dumont tags a battered Irene Aldana with a left hook. Credit: MMA Junkie.*

Women’s Bantamweight Bout

Norma Dumont: 13-3-0, 0 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Ailín Pérez: 13-2-0, 4 KO/TKO, 2 Sub.

Dumont has won four of her last five bouts and holds UFC victories over #10-ranked Bantamweight Karol Rosa (19-8-0), Ketlen Vieira (16-6-0), and Irene Aldana (15-8-0). She’s an elusive striker with solid power and strong grappling to back it up. She holds a black belt in Sanda and uses a very upright stance with her hands down, making her unpredictable and rarely telegraphing her intentions. Everything Dumont throws is heavy, especially her kicks, which she usually opens with before letting her hands go. She has excellent defensive skills and almost always dishes out more damage than she takes, having successfully defended 64% of significant strikes attempted on her in the UFC. Training with the Gordinho Fight Team, she has a black belt in BJJ and averages over one takedown per fifteen minutes, but is most comfortable on her feet and won’t force the fight to the mat. Dumont has outlanded nine of her twelve UFC opponents and rarely takes much damage, averaging just 35 significant strikes absorbed per fight.

*Ailín Pérez secures a takedown on Karol Rosa. Credit: MMA Junkie.*

Pérez is on a six-fight win streak and has UFC wins over #1-ranked Bantamweight Joselyne Edwards (18-6-0), #10-ranked Bantamweight Karol Rosa (19-8-0), and #13-ranked Bantamweight Macy Chiasson (11-6-0). She’s a grappler with smothering top control and excellent takedowns. She has solid distance management, staying safe out of range before blitzing into the pocket to fire big, looping hooks or shoot for a takedown. Pérez is averaging nearly five takedowns per fifteen minutes and has excellent trips and throws from the clinch. Training at The Goat Shed, she focuses on control from the top, never getting wild in pursuit of a finish and instead methodically breaking down her opponent’s cardio. She’s very tough to get away from on the mat and does an outstanding job of floating from position to position whenever her opponent attempts to escape. Pérez has outlanded and taken down all of her UFC opponents and absorbs the fewest significant strikes per minute in UFC women’s Bantamweight history, at 1.58.

Raúl Rosas Jr. vs. #8 Raoni Barcelos

*Raúl Rosas Jr. maintains control of Rob Font from top position. Credit: MMA Fighting.*

Bantamweight Bout

Raúl Rosas Jr.: 12-1-0, 2 KO/TKO, 6 Sub.

Raoni Barcelos: 22-5-0, 8 KO/TKO, 3 Sub.

Rosas Jr. is on a five-fight win streak and has UFC victories over Rob Font (22-10-0), Ricky Turcios (13-6-0), and Aoriqileng (26-14-0). He’s a dangerous grappler with excellent wrestling and lethal submissions. He has solid power in his hands but typically won’t waste much time before shooting in for a takedown. Rosas Jr. averages over six takedowns per 15 minutes and is very active on top, constantly pursuing submissions, advancing position, and doing damage. Training at 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu, he pushes a heavy pace on the ground and is always looking to secure his opponent’s back, where he’s most dangerous. He has an excellent arsenal of submissions, particularly his rear naked choke and armbar, which account for five of his six submission victories. Rosas Jr. was the youngest fighter to debut in UFC history, making his debut at 18 years old in 2022.

*Raoni Barcelos clips Payton Talbott with a heavy overhand right. Credit: MMA Fighting.*

Barcelos is on a five-fight win streak and holds UFC wins over #15-ranked Bantamweight Montel Jackson (15-4-0), Payton Talbott (11-1-0), and Cody Garbrandt (15-8-0). He’s an experienced scrapper with sharp, technical striking and fantastic grappling skills. He throws everything with power while staying technical and precise, picking his shots and staying composed throughout. Barcelos has great distance management and head movement, but he’s willing to exchange inside the pocket and take a shot to land one. Training at Top Brother MMA, he’s a lifelong grappler with a background in freestyle wrestling and a black belt in BJJ, averaging over two takedowns per fifteen minutes. He has smothering control and won’t get wild on top, usually focusing on maintaining his position and hunting for submissions instead of landing ground-and-pound. Barcelos is comfortable anywhere the fight goes, but he’s at his best on the mat, having landed at least one takedown in each of his last six fights.

Best Bets

Tina Black by Decision: This is an excellent matchup of two well-rounded prospects. Amaya seems to be at her best when she can use all her skills, both on her feet and on the mat. I believe Black has the takedown defense to keep the fight standing and will be able to outmatch Amaya on the feet. Black is the far more technical striker of the two, a true sniper who’s in perpetual motion while landing heavy shots. Amaya, while versatile and gritty, doesn’t have nearly as sharp hands, and I expect her to spend most of the fight following Black, allowing Black to lead her directly into big shots. I expect Black to get the better of the striking exchanges early on, forcing Amaya to pursue takedowns that Black will deny, wearing down Amaya’s cardio. As the fight continues and Amaya starts to slow, I expect Black to turn up the heat and let her hands go more often. I expect Black to be in control of the pace and where the fight takes place from the opening bell, and ultimately to become the winner of TUF 34’s women’s Strawweight tournament.

Ailín Pérez by Decision: This is an intriguing matchup between two top-five-ranked women’s Bantamweights. Both have very different styles and skill sets, but I believe Pérez has an advantage on the ground and is more likely to push the pace. Neither fighter is known for barnburning brawls, but the lack of aggression in Dumont’s recent appearances has become a serious concern. I expect Pérez to push a heavier pace and control Dumont on the ground. I anticipate Pérez staying patient early, allowing Dumont to get comfortable on her feet before shooting in and securing a takedown. Once Pérez gets the fight to the mat, I expect her to dominate Dumont with smothering top pressure, not allowing her to get off any offense of her own. I expect Pérez to relentlessly clinch up and shoot in on Dumont as the fight continues, constantly forcing her to defend takedowns and submission attempts. I don’t anticipate anything too wild or exciting, but I am confident that Pérez will earn a clear decision win.

Rosas vs. Barcelos Over 3.5 Rounds: This is an interesting matchup between two fighters at very different points in their careers. Barcelos is a true veteran who’s been fighting professionally since 2012, whereas Rosas was the youngest fighter ever signed to the UFC in 2022. Regardless, both are outstanding grapplers, and I expect most of this fight to play out on the mat. I expect the fight to get off to a quick start, with brief striking exchanges early on before one of them inevitably shoots for a takedown. Once the first grappling exchange begins, I expect it to continue for the rest of the fight, with plenty of competitive moments on the ground. I expect the constant grappling and likely stalemates to slow the pace of the fight, with neither doing much damage or gassing out until the later rounds. Ultimately, I expect lots of close, entertaining exchanges, but I believe this fight will last at least three and a half rounds.

UFC Fight Night: Rosas Jr. vs. Barcelos Preview