Sean O'Malley (1.72) vs. Merab Dvalishvili (2.10)
O'Malley is 10-1-1 in UFC, 18-1-1 overall. Last 5: W-NC-W-W-W
Dvalishvili is 10-2 in UFC, 17-4 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-W-W
O'Malley (29) completely dominated Marlon Vera (decision) at UFC 299, avenging the only loss of his career to date from back in 2020. He walked through Aljamain Sterling (KO) to capture the BW title at UFC 292 having catapulted himself to the front of the line for a BW title shot with a big win over former BW Champion Petr Yan (decision) at UFC 280. Earlier in 2022 he was neck and neck with Pedro Munhoz for nearly a round and a half until an eye poke caused the fight to be called off a ruled a no contest. Those two fights represented a significant leap in competition after victories in three good stylistic match-ups in 2021, picking up KO wins over Thomas Almeida, Kris Moutinho and Raulian Paiva. There were question marks over his durability after an injured leg led to the Vera loss; he also badly hurt his foot against Andre Soukhamthath - hanging on to win a decision on that occasion. 2-1 in 2020 having looked excellent in fast KO wins over Eddie Wineland and Jose Alberto Quinonez. First come to prominence with a memorable victory over Alfred Khashakyan (11-5) on the first season of Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series four years ago. Debuted in the UFC in December 2017, beating Terrion Ware (decision). Kept away from the cage for most of 2018 and all of 2019 due to injuries and USADA suspensions. 12/17 wins by KO. Very tall, slim build (5'11) for the BW division (although has noticeably filled out since his debut). 1-0 in LFA, knocking out David Nuzzo (11-2) with a spinning wheelkick. Also 5-1 as an amateur. Trains at MMA Lab.
Dvalishvili (33) has more than earned this title shot having strung together 10 wins in a row, the final of which came over Henry Cejudo (decision) at UFC 298. Only one of those wins was via finish - a second round KO of Marlon Moraes at UFC 266 where he himself came very close to being finished in the first round - since then he has picked up other excellent BW wins over former Champion Petr Yan and former FW Champion Jose Aldo, who were both supposed to be very tough stylistic challenges for the Georgian. Impressively all of those nine decision wins have been unanimous - he has proven to be a nightmare match-up for the whole division, a relentless mix of wrestling, cardio and forward pressure that looks great to judges and stifles opponent's offence. Other wins since 2020 over Cody Stamann (decision), John Dodson (decision), Casey Kenney (decision) and Gustavo Lopez (decision). Started the win streak with successes over Brad Katona (decision) and Terrion Ware (decision). It's difficult to believe now but he lost his first two UFC fights, getting submitted by Ricky Simon in bizarre circumstances (the referee only noticed he had been choked to a semi-conscious state at the final bell) and losing a decision against Frankie Saenz. Competed in U.S east coast promotions Ring of Combat (5-1) and CES MMA (2-1) before signing with the UFC. Entered the UFC on a six fight win streak which included a spinning backfist KO of Bellator standout Raufeon Stots (20-2). 13/17 wins by decision. Trains at Serra-Longo Fight Team.
This is one of those fights that is difficult to call pre-fight but I expect it to be one-sided in whichever direction it goes. Either O'Malley's distance management and counter striking will allow him to snipe Dvalishvili on the way in or the Georgian will be able to crash the space and make it his type of ugly, cardio-sapping fight. I think I trust Dvalishvili's chin more than I rate O'Malley's power.
Prediction: Dvalishvili by decision.
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Alexa Grasso (1.72) vs. Valentina Shevchenko (2.10)
Grasso is 8-3-1 in UFC, 16-3-1 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-W-D
Shevchenko is 12-3-1 in UFC, 23-4-1 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-L-D
Grasso (31) made the first defence of her WFLW UFC title last September, earning the draw in the rematch with Shevchenko in what had been an extremely competitive back-and-forth contest. She won the belt as a huge underdog at UFC 285, jumping on the back and securing a rear-naked choke in the fourth round of a fight she was likely on her way to losing. That title shot was earned off the back of four consecutive wins, the final of which was her first UFC main event against Viviane Araujo (decision) in the last quarter of 2022. 2-0 in that calendar year having picked up her first UFC finish against Joanne Wood (submission) in March. After a bumpy start to her UFC career at WSW, things have finally come together for the Mexican since she has moved up to WFLW with other wins in her new division against Maycee Barber (decision) and Ji Yeon Kim (decision). Finished 3-3 as a WSW but was unlucky to lose her last fight in the division - a fight of the night with former WSW Champion Carla Esparza (decision). Her best WSW performance was at UFC 238, where she dominated former title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz on the feet for three rounds. Indifferent form in her first few years in the UFC (looking nothing like the offensive killer we saw in Invicta FC), exchanging wins and losses with setbacks against Tatiana Suarez (submission) and Felice Herrig (decision) and narrow decision wins against Randa Markos and Heather Jo Clark. 4-0 in Invicta FC, including a good win over UFC's Mizuki Inoue (decision). One of the best technical boxers in WMMA and she has improved her takedown defence over the years. 10/16 wins by decision. Trains at Lobo Gym in Mexico with UFC WBW Irene Aldana.
Shevchenko (36) came agonisingly close to reclaiming her WFLW title 12 months ago but the contest was ruled a draw. She was dethroned by Grasso at UFC 285 having previously made seven defences of her WFLW title; the last of those was the toughest against Taila Santos at UFC 275, clinging on to her title by split decision. Until then she had looked several levels above her WFLW competition; in 2021 she was virtually flawless in dominant performances against Jessica Andrade (KO) and Lauren Murphy (KO). Other successful defences in 2020 against Jennifer Maia (decision) and Katlyn Chookagian (KO) and in 2019 against Liz Carmouche (decision) and Jessica Eye (KO). Won the vacant WFLW title at UFC 231, out-striking former WSW Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk across five rounds. 9-1-1 since dropping to WFLW, putting a beating on the hopelessly out of her depth Priscila Cachoeira (submission) in her divisional bow. Was already enjoying a good UFC career as an undersized WBW, falling just short in her bid to become Champion when she lost a razor thin decision to Amanda Nunes at UFC 215. Two excellent UFC main event wins as a WBW against the division's current Champion Julianna Pena (submission) and Holly Holm (decision) to earn that title shot. Her only other UFC loss was also against Nunes (decision) at UFC 196 but she also has a loss against Carmouche (TKO doctor stoppage - although it was a cut stoppage in a fight she was ahead in) on the regional circuit. Extremely well-rounded, has shown striking, wrestling and grappling in her UFC run. 15/23 wins inside the distance (8 KO, 7 SUB). Muay Thai striking background, likes to counter strike but is getting better at taking the initiative when her opponents are overmatched. Exotic background, born in Kyrgyzstan but lived and trained in Peru for a number of years. Now affiliated with Tiger Muay Thai.
The fact this fight has taken a year to happen (Shevchenko is getting up there in age now), plus the fact there should be a strongly pro-Grasso crowd has me leaning towards the Mexican to successfully defend.
Prediction: Grasso by decision.
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Brian Ortega (2.50) vs. Diego Lopes (1.57)
Ortega is 8-3-1 in UFC, 16-3-1 overall. Last 5: L-W-L-L-W
Lopes is 4-1 in UFC, 25-6 overall. Last 5: L-W-W-W-W
Ortega (33) gained revenge over Yair Rodriguez (submission) in February in a rematch of their 2022 main event that saw Ortega dislocate his shoulder in the first round. He had the former FW Champion Alexander Volkanovski trapped in two very tight submissions at UFC 266 but ultimately ended up losing the decision. Earned that title shot after looking very good in a main event victory over the Korean Zombie (decision) in the last quarter of 2020; his striking in particular seemed to have improved significantly during his time off. Didn't fight for nearly two years following a fourth-round doctor stoppage loss against Max Holloway in his other unsuccessful crack at the FW title at UFC 231. Made himself the clear number one contender when he handed Frankie Edgar the first KO loss of his career at UFC 222 after establishing himself as a top 10 FW in 2017 with wins over Renato Moicano (submission) and Cub Swanson (submission). The Moicano finish capped an incredible run of four third round finishes in a row with others coming over Thiago Tavares (KO), Diego Brandao (submission) and Clay Guida (KO). Very much a fighter who can start slow but gets better as the contest progresses, which makes him a more dangerous fighter in five round fights. 2-0 in RFA prior to signing with the UFC with wins over Keoni Koch (5-1) and UFC veteran Jordan Rinaldi (submission). Made his UFC debut in 2014 with a submission of Mike de la Torre, although the win was later overturned to be a no contest when Ortega failed a post-fight drug test. Excellent BJJ (8/16 wins by submission), very creative off his back. Having entered the UFC as a fairly one-dimensional grappler, his striking has improved massively across his UFC career (which was necessary as he struggles to dictate where the fight takes place with offensive wrestling). Trains at Black House.
Lopes (29) showed what a badass he is by taking a fight with Dan Ige on less than a day's notice at UFC 303 when Ortega fell, winning a unanimous decision. He is 2-0 this year having picked up his third first round finish in a row when he knocked out Sodiq Yusuff (KO) at UFC 300. Established himself as a UFC FW to watch in the second half of 2023, picking up other fast stoppage victories over Gavin Tucker (submission) and Pat Sabatini (KO). Debuted on short notice against a ranked FW in Mosvar Evloev at UFC 288, losing a unanimous decision but emerging with plenty of credit for how competitive he made the contest. Before that he was most familiar from a losing effort on the 2021 edition of Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series against Joanderson Brito (decision), which we will likely look back on in the future as one of the highest level fights to have taken place on DWTNCS. Highly experienced on the regional scene having competed for Fury FC (1-1) and Lux Fight League (6-0), picking up wins over UFC veterans Ronny Jason (decision), Marco Beltran (submission) and Masio Fullen (submission) in the latter and leaving as their FW Champion. Other losses since 2018 against Nate Richardson (11-5) and Amir Elzhurkaev (9-2). Other notable career wins over Gilberto Pantoja (16-5-1) and Alejandro Solano Rodriguez (29-16-1). 22/25 wins inside the distance (10 KO, 12 SUB). Trains at Lobo Gym MMA.
I picked Ortega in the original match-up but I think I've changed my mind, Ortega is a known slow starter and that's always going to be far more limiting in three rounds fights - plus Lopes has the BJJ to make a submission unlikely.
Prediction: Lopes by decision.
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Daniel Zellhuber (1.44) vs. Esteban Ribovics (2.87)
Zellhuber is 3-1 in UFC, 15-1 overall. Last 5: W-L-W-W-W
Ribovics is 2-1 in UFC, 13-1 overall. Last 5: W-W-L-W-W
Zellhuber (25) extended his win streak to three with success over Francisco Prado (decision) in February, building on an excellent 2023 that saw him earn his first UFC wins over Lando Vannata (decision) and Christos Giagos (submission). Put on an extremely disappointing performance (relative to expectations) in his 2022 UFC debut, struggling to pull the trigger in a loss against Trey Ogden (decision). Looked like a very exciting prospect in beating Lucas Almeida (decision) - another fighter now in the UFC - on Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series in 2021. Has experience in strong Latin America regional promotions iFF (1-0), Combate Americas (3-0) and Lux Fight League (2-0). Fairly modest regional accomplishments with the best win over Jose Luis Medrano (14-6). 10/15 wins inside the distance (7 KO). Tall LW (6'1). Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu background. Trains at Romero Team.
Ribovics (28) pulled off one of the most memorable KO's of the year with an extremely well-timed head kick inside the first minute against Terrance McKinney in May. He picked up his first UFC win over Kamuela Kirk (decision) at UFC 290, which came four months after he lost his UFC debut against Loik Radzhabov (decision) - emerging from that setback with plenty of credit having had his much more experienced opponent hurt at multiple points of the fight. Entered the UFC as an undefeated fighter out of Argentina, booking his ticket to the UFC with a first round KO of Thomas Paull (12-6) on the 2022 season of Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series. Fought for Peruvian regional organisation FFC where he picked up a pair of good wins over Javier Basurto (23-10) and Jose Zaruaz (24-10-1). 12/13 wins inside the distance (7 KO, 5 SUB). Fights out of a Nova Uniao affiliate in Argentina.
Two of the more promising LW prospects to arrive in the UFC via the Contender Series. Both have bright futures but I think Zellhuber is a little bit more seasoned in terms of his development.
Prediction: Zellhuber by decision.
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Ronaldo Rodriguez (1.72) vs. Ode Osbourne (2.10)
Rodriguez is 1-0 in UFC, 16-2 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-W-W
Osbourne is 4-5 in UFC, 12-7-1 overall. Last 5: W-L-W-L-L
Rodriguez (25) will look to build on a successful UFC debut over Denys Bondar (submission) in February. He earned his UFC call-up having been dominant on the regional Latin American MMA circuit, most recently competing for Lux Fight League (5-0) including wins over Jaime Londono (7-3-1), Victor Moreno (6-4) and Cesar Vasquez (6-4). He did lose an opportunity on the 2020 season of Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series against a fighter who went on to fail in the UFC in Jerome Rivera (decision). One other good career win over Edgar Garcia (20-9) with the other setback coming against Eduardo Morales (9-4). 12/16 wins inside the distance (7 KO, 5 SUB). Fights out of Prime Combat Academy.
Osbourne (32) could be at risk of getting cut with a loss here having been submitted in his previous two fights against Jafel Filho and Asu Almabaev - he's been finished in all five UFC losses. He would be on a four-fight losing streak if the split decision win over Charles Johnson at the beginning of last year had gone the other way - prior to that he was KO'd by Tyson Nam. Other UFC wins over Zarrukh Adashev (KO), C.J. Vergara (decision) and Jerome Rivera (KO). Losses in his first three UFC fights against Manel Kape (KO) and Brian Kelleher (submission). Graduated from the 2019 edition of Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series, submitting Armando Villarreal (5-2) in the first round. Losses to the two most notable opponents he fought on the regionals; a submission loss against Jose Calvo (9-2) and a decision loss against Antonio Sanchez (4-2). 9/12 wins inside the distance (5 KO, 4 SUB). 3-4 at FLW having also competed at BW and FW in the UFC so far. Fights out of Pura Vida BJJ.
Osbourne is very easy to finish for a FLW, you would expect the Mexican to have multiple paths to victory here.
Prediction: Rodriguez by submission in round 2.
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Irene Aldana (1.90) vs. Norma Dumont (1.90)
Aldana is 8-5 in UFC, 15-7 overall. Last 5: L-W-W-L-W
Dumont is 7-2 in UFC, 11-2 overall. Last 5: L-W-W-W-W
Aldana (36) beat Karol Rosa (decision) and picked up a 'Fight of the Night' bonus in her last performance at UFC 296. Unfortunately she never looked like she had much of a chance in a wide decision loss in her WBW title shot against Amanda Nunes at UFC 289. Parachuted into that booking - which only came about because Juliana Pena had to withdraw - coming off two KO wins over Macy Chiasson and Yana Santos. The only other setback in her last seven came in her first UFC main event in the final quarter of 2020, getting out-pointed by Holly Holm over five rounds. That headline spot was earned following a big win back in December 2019, knocking out Ketlen Vieira with a left hook in the first round. Other UFC wins over Vanessa Melo (decision), Bethe Correia (decision), Lucie Pudilova (decision) and Talita Bernardo (decision). Suffered losses against Leslie Smith (decision) and Katlyn Chookagian (decision) in a difficult start to her UFC career, one other UFC loss against Raquel Pennington (decision). Graduated from Invicta FC, where she went 4-1 record including wins over UFC veterans Peggy Morgan (submission) and Jessamyn Duke (KO) and the loss coming to Tonya Evinger (KO). Also has a career loss to another UFC veteran Larissa Pacheco (KO). 11/15 wins inside the distance (8 KO), carries some decent power. Good frame (5'9) for the WBW division. Trains at Lobo Gym with Alexa Grasso.
Dumont (33) made a successful return to the WBW division with a win over Germaine de Randamie (decision) in April. There's still some doubt whether she can consistently make the weight having failed two previous attempts to make 135 lbs and she even missed weight at 145 lbs once. Now on a four-fight win streak following other wins over Chelsea Chandler (decision) and Karol Rosa (decision) last year and Danyelle Wolf (decision) at UFC 279. Her last loss was to Macy Chiasson at UFC 274 - the WFLW fight she missed weight for. Successful in her first UFC main event in the final quarter of 2021, comfortably beating Aspen Ladd (decision) - that was her third win in a row following other victories against Felicia Spencer (decision) and Ashlee Evans-Smith (decision). Made her UFC debut in February 2020, getting KO'd by Megan Anderson in the first round. Signed after winning her first four professional fights on the Brazilian regional circuit, including a win over UFC veteran Tainara Lisboa (submission) and Marianna Morais (18-12). 9/11 wins by decision, has shown pretty much zero finishing ability at this level.
Aldana is coming off a win over another entertainment vacuum in Rosa, hopefully the Mexican-biased crowd can motivate her to do the same here.
Prediction: Aldana by decision.
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Manuel Torres (1.80) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (2.00)
Torres is 3-0 in UFC, 15-2 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-W-W
Bahamondes is 4-2 in UFC, 15-5 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-L-W
Torres (29) was dominant again in defeating Chris Duncan (submission) in the first round in February. That was his third consecutive first round finish having previously had little trouble finishing Frank Camacho and Nikolas Motta with strikes. The Mexican LW was a graduate of the 2021 season of Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series, where he registered another first round KO of Kolton Englund (14-4). Showed himself to be a standout on the Latin America regional circuit, picking up good wins over Daniel Vega (13-8-1), Adonilton Matos (28-12) and Enrique Gonzalez (12-4). Career setbacks against Carlos Calvo Calvo (7-3) and Mahatma Garcia (15-11-1) - both by leg submissions. 14/15 wins inside the distance (7 KO, 7 SUB). Trains at Entram Gym.
Bahamondes (26) is coming off a first round head kick KO of Christos Giagos in April. He had a disappointing 2023, looking uncharacteristically lethargic in an uneventful win over Trey Ogden (decision) at UFC 287 and then losing to Ludovit Klein (decision) in August. The Klein loss snapped a three-fight win streak with those other successes against Zhu Rong (submission) and Roosevelt Roberts (KO) - the latter one of the best knockouts of 2021. Came up short but emerged with plenty of credit from a real war against UFC veteran John Makdessi (decision) in his UFC debut. The Chilean LW earned his way into the UFC with a second round KO of Edson Gomez (6-2) on the 2020 edition of Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series. Most of his career has taken place in North America with spells in Island Fights (3-1), LFA (1-0), Titan FC (0-1) and Combate Americas (0-1). Owns solid career victories over Chris Brown (10-5) and Hugo Flores (13-5). Regional career setbacks against UFC veteran Preston Parsons (submission), Salvador Becerra (8-3-1) and a poor loss against Matt McKeon (4-7). 10/15 wins by KO. Very tall (6'1) for a 155er. Fights out of VFS Academy with Yair Rodriguez.
This is the biggest test for Torres so far but I've seen enough to think he can overcome Bahamondes, who is good offensively but has plenty of defensive holes.
Prediction: Torres by submission in round 2.
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Raul Rosas Jr. (1.08) vs. Qileng Aori (8.00)
Rosas Jr. is 3-1 in UFC, 9-1 overall. Last 5: W-W-L-W-W
Aori is 3-3-1 in UFC, 25-11-1 overall. Last 5: W-W-L-W-NC
Rosas Jr. (19) over-powered Ricky Turcios (submission) in the grappling department when they met in June. Last year he ran through Terrence Mitchell (KO) inside a minute in September, rebounding from his first and only professional setback against Christian Rodriguez (decision) at UFC 287. Also very dominant in a first round finish of Jay Perrin (submission) in his debut at UFC 282. Attracted a lot of attention on the 2022 edition of Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series as a 17-year old, getting awarded a contract despite his youth following a unanimous decision win over Mando Gutierrez (9-3). The Mexican prodigy spent the rest of his regional career competing for local promotion UWC, going 5-0 against very modest competition. 8/9 wins inside the distance (6 SUB). Trains at Tenth Planet Las Vegas.
Aori (31) couldn't continue after suffering a groin strike against Daniel Marcos in February - the no contest was a bit of a fortunate escape as he was comfortably on his way to losing. Last year he suffered a 64-second KO loss to Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 289 before rebounding against Johnny Munoz Jr. (decision) in October. 2022 was his best year in the UFC, picking up his first win in emphatic fashion against Cameron Else (KO) and then building on that with a win over Jay Perrin (decision). Came up short in his first two UFC fights against Jeff Molina (decision) and Cody Durden (decision) despite being 1-1 in both fights entering the third round. 3-1-1 at BW after starting in the UFC as a FLW. A veteran of top Chinese regional promotion WLF, going 12-4. Notable career wins over Yong E (18-8), Maksadzhon Yusupov (7-4) and Khizri Abdulaev (7-3). Two of his career losses have come against UFC veterans in Kai Kara-France (decision) and Grigory Popov (submission). Other losses since 2018 against Shuo Wang (15-7), Jiaerken Ailimubau (7-5), Xiaolong Wu (15-20-1) and Amirlan Amirov (5-4) - the latter later avenged. 16/25 wins and 7/10 losses by decision. Has spent time preparing for fights in North American at Fight Ready.
This is a good fight for Rosas Jr., he's going to have a big physicality advantage. Expect the Mexican to rag-doll him to the floor and find a submission.
Prediction: Rosas Jr. by submission in round 2.
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Yazmin Jauregui (1.18) vs. Ketlen Souza (5.00)
Jauregui is 3-1 in UFC, 11-1 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-L-W
Souza is 1-1 in UFC, 14-4 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-L-W
Jauregui (25) picked up a comfortable win over Sam Hughes (decision) in February, rebounding from the fastest KO loss in UFC WSW history - 20 seconds - against Denise Gomes at UFC 290. She had previously got her UFC career off to a good start in the second half of 2022, beating Iasmin Lucindo (decision) in her debut and then picking up her first UFC finish of Istela Nunes (KO). Proved herself a standout on the Latin American regional scene, mainly competing for the Combate Americas (6-0). Notable regional wins over Claire Lopez (8-6), Criszaida Adames (5-2), Stephanie Frausto (8-9), Yajaira Romo (8-9) and Annely Jiminez Garcia (10-7). 7/11 wins by KO. Trains at Entram Gym.
Souza (29) picked up her first UFC win over a girl who shouldn't be fighting at this level in Marnic Mann (decision) in April. It was a much better return that her UFC debut, where she was forced to tap to a Karine Silva kneebar in just 105 seconds. Graduated to the UFC fresh off winning the vacant Invicta FC FLW title against Kristina Williams (7-4) at the beginning of 2023 - overall she went 2-0 in that organisation with the other win coming over Maiju Suotama (8-8). One other notable career wins over Gisele Moreira (13-6) while the setbacks have come against UFC veteran Ariane Carnelossi (KO), Dayane Cardoso (10-2-1) and Fabiulane Melo (6-8-1). 8/14 wins by KO, finished in all four losses.
Jauregui is going to be much faster and slicker on the feet, she should win a wide decision or get a late finish.
Prediction: Jauregui by KO in round 3.
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Edgar Chairez (2.87) vs. Joshua Van (1.44)
Chairez is 1-1-1 in UFC, 11-5-1 overall. Last 5: W-W-L-NC-W
Van is 3-1 in UFC, 10-2 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-W-L
Chairez (28) submitted Daniel Lacerda in the first round of the rematch of their original contest that was ruled a no contest when the referee stepped in prematurely thinking that Lacerda was unconscious from a choke. He stepped in on short notice at UFC 290 to make his debut against hyped FLW prospect Tatsuro Taira, emerging with plenty of credit for avoiding the submission and winning round three despite the decision loss. The Mexican appeared on the 2022 edition of Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series where he lost to another highly thought of FLW prospect in Clayton Carpenter (decision). Finished his regional career competing for Fury FC, beating Gianni Vasquez (10-5). One other decent win over Ivan Hernandez (10-7-1), other losses against UFC veteran Jesus Aguilar (submission), Alberto Trujillo (9-4) and Axel Osuna (7-2). 11/11 wins inside the distance (4 KO, 7 SUB). Trains at Entram Gym.
Van (22) jumps straight back into action just over two months after suffering his first UFC loss to Charles Johnson (KO). This will be his third fight of the year - he also finished Felipe Bunes (KO) on the opening show of 2024. Last year he got his UFC career off to an excellent start, jumping at a short notice opportunity to make his UFC debut and going on to beat the much more experienced Zhalgas Zhumagulov (decision) before returning to beat Kevin Borjas (decision) at UFC 295. Less than three years into his professional MMA career, the rest of which has been spent competing for Fury FC on the North American regional scene. Departed that organisation as their reigning FLW Champion having won the vacant belt against Cleveland McLean (17-12). One other notable win over Paris Moran (11-2) with his only other career loss coming against Devon Jackson (3-2) in his third fight. Has finished 8/10 wins inside the distance (6 KO). Trains at 4oz Fight Club.
This is a much tougher fight for Chairez than the originally booked fight with Borjas - I think Van proves to be too well-rounded for him.
Prediction: Van by decision.
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