Renato Moicano (3.25) vs. Benoit St. Denis (1.36)
Moicano is 11-5 in UFC, 19-5-1 overall. Last 5: W-L-W-W-W
St.Denis is 5-2 in UFC, 13-2-1 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-W-L
Moicano (35) earned his first UFC main event in over five years with a second round comeback win over Jalin Turner (KO) on the super stacked UFC 300. 2-0 this year having had a fast turnaround after gritting out a win over Drew Dober (decision) in February. He didn't fight at all in 2023; the first of this current three fight win streak was a dominant performance against Brad Riddell (submission) at UFC 281. Showcased real toughness to make it to the final bell of a five round 160-lb catchweight fight with Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 272 but was convincingly beaten on the scorecards. 6-1 at LW since moving up from FW, picking up dominant submission wins over Damir Hadzovic, Jai Herbert and Alexander Hernandez along with a first round KO loss to Rafael Fiziev at UFC 256. Formerly a top five ranked FW having beaten good competition in Cub Swanson (submission), Calvin Kattar (decision) and Jeremy Stephens (decision) but he finished his time in that division with back-to-back KO losses in high profile match-ups against the Korean Zombie and Jose Aldo. Suffered the first defeat of his professional career halfway through 2017 when Brian Ortega submitted him with a third round guillotine. Other UFC wins against Tom Niinimaki (submission) and Zubair Tukhugov (decision). BJJ black belt (10/19 wins by submission) but a well-rounded fighter (surprisingly the Turner win was the first KO win on his record) having developed his striking over the course of his UFC career. There were some question marks about his ability to absorb damage (3/4 losses via KO) but that seems less of a problem at LW. Fights out of Constrictor Team.
St. Denis (28) was able to get into some very dominant positions against Dustin Poirier at UFC 299 but ended up getting finished with strikes in the second round. He earned that high profile fight after having an incredible 2023, winning and finishing three fights in the space of five months in the second half of the year with the final of those a first round head kick KO of Matt Frevola at UFC 295. Prior to that he had forced the referee to step in due to unanswered strikes against Thiago Moises (KO) on the September Paris show and submitted Ismael Bonfim with a neck crank in July. In 2022 he made easy work of Gabriel Miranda (KO) on home soil at the first French UFC event, building on his first UFC win over Niklas Stolze (submission) a few months earlier. Demonstrated incredible toughness in his debut loss against Elizeu Zaleski (decision) at UFC 267 but the main story of that fight was the dreadful refereeing performance that allowed the fight to make it to a decision. 5-1 since moving down to LW having debuted at WW. Signed with the UFC after a successful spell in BRAVE FC, where he went 3-0 over 15 months with wins over Arkaitz Gudari (7-4), Luan Santiago (22-7) and Mario Saeed (13-6). His strength of competition has been good for someone who only made their MMA debut in 2019, other career wins over Ivica Truschek (44-39), Ibragim Baisarov (8-2) and Artur Szczepaniak (11-3). 13/13 wins inside the distance (9 SUB). Former member of the French Special Forces. BJJ and kickboxing background.
St. Denis is as tough as they come and will be extremely motivated fighting in Paris, this seems like a tough stylistic match-up for Moicano who is probably going to spend plenty of him in compromised positions.
Prediction: St.Denis by KO in round 3.
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Nassourdine Imavov (1.50) vs. Brendan Allen (2.70)
Imavov is 6-2-1 in UFC, 14-4-1 overall. Last 5: W-L-NC-W-W
Allen is 12-2 in UFC, 24-5 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-W-W
Imavov (29) is 2-0 in UFC main events this year having won a sloppy contest with Roman Dolidze (decision) in February before a more convincing finish of Jarod Cannonier (KO) in June - overall he is 2-1 in UFC main events having been unsuccessful against Sean Strickland (decision) at the beginning of last year. Elevated to main event status after winning four of his first five trips to the Octagon; the last of those was over Joaquin Buckley (decision) on the corresponding Paris card in 2022. Distinguished himself as one of the MWs to watch in the second half of 2021, picking up finishes over Ian Heinisch (KO) and Edmen Shahbazyan (KO). Very nearly completed a third round comeback against Phil Hawes earlier in 2021 but his opponent clung on to win the decision having taken the first two rounds. Made an assured start to his UFC career in 2020, picking up a unanimous decision win over Jordan Williams. The Dagestani who fights out of France entered the UFC on a five fight winning streak, including a KO of UFC veteran Jonathan Meunier in the debut show of top European regional promotion Ares FC. One other notable career win over Gregor Weibel (14-5-1). Regional setbacks against the much more experienced Majdeddine Ayadi (14-4-1) in his MMA debut and Michal Michalski (12-5). Has competed as a big (6'3) WW in the past but has opted to fight at MW in the UFC. Has shown a tendency to slow down in the second half of fights. 10/14 wins inside the distance (6 KO, 4 SUB). Trains at MMA Factory.
Allen (28) stretched his winning streak to seven with a split decision win over Chris Curtis in their April main event - his second main event win in a row having submitted Paul Craig in November. All three of his wins in 2023 were via rear-naked choke with the others coming over Andre Muniz and Bruno Silva. Also 3-0 in 2022 having picked up wins over Krzysztof Jotko (submission), Jacob Malkoun (decision) and Sam Alvey (submission). Finished 2021 on a sour note with a loss to Curtis (KO); despite that it was still a successful year overall with earlier wins over Punahele Soriano (decision) and Karl Roberson (submission). One other setback at this level against the former UFC MW Champion Sean Strickland (KO) at the tail end of 2020. Other UFC wins over Tom Breese (KO), Kyle Daukaus (decision) and Kevin Holland (submission). Graduated from the third season of Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series, submitting Aaron Jeffery (15-5) with a first-round rear-naked choke. Went into his DWTNCS appearance as reigning LFA MW Champion, overall going 6-3 in LFC/LFA. His regional losses have all been to guys who went on to make it to the UFC in Eryk Anders (decision), Trevin Giles (submission) and Anthony Hernandez (decision). Notable regional wins over Moses Murrietta (10-7), Tim Hiley (9-5), Chris Harris (11-5) and Charlie Rader (18-9). 19/24 wins inside the distance (14 SUB). Has gone five rounds three times in his career, strong cardio. Good MW frame (6'2). Trains at elite camp Sanford MMA.
High stakes clash with the winner deserving of a number one contender fight at minimum. As good as Allen is, you always feel he can be hurt and this spot against Imavov in his opponent's back yard is one where I can see his frailties re-emerging.
Prediction: Imavov by KO in round 2.
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William Gomis (3.40) vs. Joanderson Brito (1.33)
Gomis is 3-0 in UFC, 13-2 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-W-W
Brito is 5-1 in UFC, 17-3-1 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-W-W
Gomis (28) hasn't fought since the same show last year, where he finished Yanis Ghemmouri (KO) with a well placed body kick in the second round. Earlier in 2023 he survived a late rally to beat Francis Marshall by split decision. He's now won his first three UFC fights having made a successful debut - again in front of his home audience - against Jarno Errens (decision) in 2022. Overal riding an 11-fight win streak including regional wins fighting for Cage Warriors, UAE Warriors and Ares FC against Tobias Harila (13-4), Arip Yakubov (6-2) and Jose Marcos (11-7-1) respectively. His two career losses have come against good competition in Morgan Charriere (submission) - who also now fights in the UFC - and current KSW FW Champion Salahdine Parnasse (19-2). 7/13 wins by KO. Trains at MMA Factory.
Brito (29) stopped Jack Shore (KO) at UFC 301 when a cut caused from a checked kick was deemed to be serious enough to call the contest off. He has excellent momentum now with five consecutive wins; last year he picked up an impressive win over Jonathan Pearce (submission) after walking through a badly overmatched short notice replacement Westin Wilson (KO) earlier in the year. All five of the wins are stoppages - 2022 brought wins over Alessandro Costa (submission) and Andre Fili (KO) after he got off to a bad start, losing to Bill Algeo (decision) in his UFC debut. Awarded a contract via Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series in 2021, beating Diego Lopes (decision) - an unbelievably good win in hindsight with Lopes now on the verge of a FW title shot. The Brazilian amassed a number of impressive wins on the regional scene, including a 44 second KO of UFC's Jose Mariscal in a lone appearance for LFA and others over Estabili Amato (13-7), Jose Zarauz (24-10-1), Wellinton Prado (14-4), Johnny Iwasaki (23-8) and Wanderlei Junior (17-8). Started his career with two losses in his first three pro fights against fighters who went on to have good MMA records in Rafael Moreira (15-3-1) and Henrique Gomes (8-3). Powerfully built FW. 15/17 wins inside the distance (8 KO, 7 SUB). Trains at Chute Boxe Bauru.
Gomis hasn't looked particularly good despite the winning start he has made to his UFC career - this is a big leap in competition and I think it's likely he's in for a rude awakening.
Prediction: Brito by submission in round 2.
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Taylor Lapilus (1.25) vs. Vince Morales (4.00)
Lapilus is 5-2 in UFC, 20-4 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-L-W
Morales is 3-5 in UFC, 16-7 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-W-W
Lapilus (32) is 2-1 since returning to the UFC, losing against Farid Basharat (decision) in between victories over Caolan Loughran (decision) and Cody Stamann (decision). The Loughran win came six years after his previous UFC victory - a unanimous decision win over Leandro Issa which concluded an initial 3-1 run before a mutual decision to part ways. 7-1 in between UFC stints including wins over UFC veterans Wilson Reis (decision) and Nathan Maness (KO). Other excellent wins over that period against Demarte Pena (14-2-2), Josh Hill (22-7), Marcos Breno (15-3), Farbod Iran Nazhad (12-3-1) and Omer Solmaz (8-2) with the lone setback coming against Denis Lavrentyev (13-3). Other UFC wins over Rocky Lee (decision) and Yuta Sasaki (KO) with the loss against Erik Perez (decision). 10/20 wins by decision, never finished in his MMA career. Fights out of MMA Factory.
Morales (33) is back in the UFC after going 5-0 since being cut at the end of 2022, beating UFC veterans Teruto Ishihara (submission) and Hunter Azure (submission) and making a successful appearance on the Rizin FF New Year's Eve show where he defeated Yuki Motoya (35-11-1). He ended his original UFC run with losses against Miles Johns (decision) and Jonathan Martinez (decision). In 2021 he strung together back-to-back wins for the only time in his UFC career, beating Drako Rodriguez (decision) before picking up his first UFC finish over Louis Smolka (KO). Won only one of his first four UFC appearances, which was a unanimous decision over Aiemann Zahabi in 2019 - a win that looks much better in retrospect. Made his UFC debut in November 2018 as a short notice replacement, dropping a decision to top Chinese prospect Yadong Song (decision). Other UFC losses against Benito Lopez (decision) and Chris Gutierrez (KO). Involved in a cracking scrap on the second season of Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series, losing to Domingo Pilarte (submission) - who went on to be awarded a UFC contract - in a back and forth slugfest. Other good regional wins over Luis Guerrero (11-5) and Brendan Hempleman (10-4). Wrestling background. 12/16 wins inside the distance (7 KO, 5 SUB). Trains at Syndicate MMA.
Tough return fight for Morales, Lapilus is going to be the better striker and has the motivation of fighting at home.
Prediction: Lapilus by decision.
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Jacqueline Cavalcanti (1.50) vs. Nora Cornolle (2.70)
Cavalcanti is 2-0 in UFC, 7-1 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-W-W
Cornolle is 2-0 in UFC, 8-1 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-W-W
Cavalcanti (27) has a fast turnaround a month after she defeated Josiane Nunes (decision). It was the corresponding show last year that she stepped in on short notice to make her UFC debut, defeating Zarah Fairn (decision). Made a successful appearance for LFA earlier earlier in 2023, beating Melissa Croden (5-2) to win their vacant WBW title. The Portuguese WBW already has a regional win over Cornelle (decision). One career loss to Martina Jindrova (6-5) when competing for PFL in 2022. Has competed as high as LW. 4/7 wins by decision. Has spent time training at Syndicate MMA.
Cornolle (34) looked good in finishing Melissa Mullins (KO) in April. She previously won her UFC debut on home French soil against Joselyne Edwards (decision) last year. Received the UFC call having gone 3-0 for UAE Warriors. After losing her MMA debut against Cavalcanti (decision) she has now gone on to win eight in a row including successes over Hassna Gaber (5-3), Priscila de Souza (12-12), Juliet Chukwu (4-1) and Marie Loiseau (6-5). 7/8 wins inside the distance (6 KO). Muay Thai background.
Cavalcanti should still be improving at her age and has the more well-rounded skill set to rely on here.
Prediction: Cavalcanti by decision.
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Fares Ziam (1.80) vs. Matt Frevola (2.00)
Ziam is 5-2 in UFC, 15-4 overall. Last 5: W-L-W-W-W
Frevola is 5-4-1 in UFC, 11-4-1 overall. Last 5: L-W-W-W-L
Ziam (27) won his third in a row over Claudio Puelles (decision) in February, following on from other decision wins over Michal Figlak and Jai Herbert - he's been flying under the radar, mainly because his fights are low in entertainment. All five of his UFC wins have been via decision with earlier successes over Luigi Vendramini and Jamie Mullarkey. Had a two-fight win streak snapped at the beginning of 2022 by Terrance McKinney (submission); one other UFC loss in his debut against Don Madge (decision) at UFC 242. The French LW has a regional win over UFC veteran Abner Lloveras (KO) and other notable successes against Damien Lapilus (20-14-6) and Yassine Belhadj (7-3) on the European regional scene. Other career setbacks against Viskhan Magomadov (12-4) in his lone appearance for ACB and Chinese veteran Haotian Wu (27-13-2). 9/15 wins inside the distance (5 KO, 4 SUB), 3/4 losses by submission. Tall LW at 6'0. Now training at Kill Cliff FC.
Frevola (34) fights for the first time since a first round head kick KO loss to Benoit St. Denis at UFC 295. Prior to that he himself had won three fights in a row via first round KO, first of al over borderline UFC-level talents in Ottman Azaitar and Genaro Valdez in 2022 but the final one was an impressive finish of Drew Dober at UFC 288. Had his back against the wall going into the latter having endured a tough 2021 that featured setbacks against Terrance McKinney (KO in just seven seconds) and Arman Tsarukyan (decision). Enjoyed a good 2019, going 2-0 with wins over Jalin Turner (decision) - a win that looks better and better in hindsight - and Luis Pena (decision), albeit the latter certainly could have been scored in the other direction. Started his UFC career 0-1-1 in 2018, going to a draw in a very entertaining fight with Lando Vannata at UFC 230 after showing poor fight IQ to engage Marco Polo Reyes in a brawl that saw him finished by strikes. Competed on the first series of Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series, submitting Jose Flores (9-2) with a second round arm triangle. Also has appearances in top U.S regional promotions Titan FC (1-0) and WSOF (1-0). Wrestling background but has shown a willingness to go to war on the feet in the UFC. Owns a good regional win over Raush Manfio (17-6). Trains at Gracie Tampa South.
I hope Ziam loses but this is probably a good stylistic match-up, he'll be able to stay at range and pick apart Frevola.
Prediction: Ziam by decision.
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Ion Cutelaba (1.90) vs. Ivan Erslan (1.90)
Cutelaba is 6-9-1 in UFC, 17-10-2 overall. Last 5: L-L-L-W-L
Erslan makes his UFC debut, 14-3-1 overall. Last 5: W-L-W-L-W
Cutelaba (30) is usually good entertainment win or lose but he's been struggling of late; the first round finish over Tanner Boser (KO) last year in his only win in his last five - earlier this year he was disappointing in a loss to Philipe Lins (decision). 2022 was a really bad year for the Moldovan, seeing him finished three times by Kennedy Nzechukwu (KO), Johnny Walker (submission) and Ryan Spann (submission). 2021 was a better year, featuring a win over Devin Clark (decision) and a draw against Dustin Jacoby. Lost back-to-back fights in 2020 against top ranked LHW Magomed Ankalaev (KO x2), losing in slightly controversial circumstances due to an early stoppage before a much more emphatic KO loss at UFC 254. Before those setbacks he had won three of four, overwhelming Khalil Rountree, Gadzhimurad Antigulov and Henrique da Silva with strikes in the first round. Other UFC losses against Glover Teixeira (submission), Misha Cirkunov (submission) and Jared Cannonier (decision). One other UFC win against Jonathan Wilson (decision). Tore through this regional MMA scene fighting at LHW and HW, building an 11-1-1 record with the only loss being a DQ due to illegal strikes - although the only semi-notable win was over Malik Merad (24-16). Very physically imposing athlete and extremely intense in pre-fight staredowns. 13/17 wins by KO but a very poor grappler (4/9 losses by submission) and tends to struggle outside of round one. Fights out of a small Moldovan gym.
Erslan (32) is a new arrival in the LHW division; the Croatian has spent significant time fighting for KSW in Poland, going 4-3 with wins over Darwin Rodriguez (14-5), Przemyslaw Mysiala (24-12-1), Rafal Kijanczuk (12-7) and Bogdan Gnidko (10-2) and losses to Tomasz Narkun (21-6), Ibragim Chuzhigaev (19-5) and Rafal Haratyk (19-5-2). Other notable career wins over UFC veteran Henrique da Silva (KO) and Toni Markulev (11-2). 10/14 wins by KO. FIghts out of an American Top Team affiliate in Zagreb.
Erslan brings a pretty strong regional record into his UFC debut and Cutelaba is a very beatable opponent to be making your debut against.
Prediction: Erslan by KO in round 3.
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Ludovit Klein (1.10) vs. Roosevelt Roberts (7.00)
Klein is 6-2-1 in UFC, 22-4-1 overall. Last 5: W-D-W-W-W
Roberts is 4-4-1 in UFC, 12-4-1 overall. Last 5: NC-L-W-W-L
Klein (29) picked up his best UFC win over Thiago Moises (decision) in June. He is 2-0 this year having finished short notice replacement A.J. Cunningham (KO) in the first round in March; overall he is now unbeaten in six - the only time he didn't emerge with the win over that streak was when Jai Herbert's point deduction for a groin shot - other wins stretching back to 2022 over Ignacio Bahamondes (decision), Devonte Smith (decision) and Mason Jones (decision) after deciding to move up to LW. He didn't look as effective down at FW, suffering setbacks against Mike Trizano (decision) and Nate Landwehr (submission) in 2021. Made a great start to his UFC career at UFC 253, finishing Shane Young with a head kick and follow up punches in just 76 seconds. Distinguished himself as one of the best LWs in Europe on the Czech/Slovak MMA scene, going 5-0 in top regional promotion Oktagon MMA including a highlight reel KO of UFC veteran Lukasz Sajewski. Owns a number of other notable wins including Joao Paulo Rodrigues (37-21-2), Willian Lima (14-5-1), Arbi Mezhidov (18-5), Matej Kuznik (16-9), Krzysztof Klaczek (12-7), Ahmed Abdulkadirov (9-2) and Khusein Maltsagov (5-2). Two other career losses, one in Cage Warriors against Aiden Lee (12-8) and another against Igor Tarytsa (4-2). Good finisher with 17/22 wins inside the distance (9 KO, 8 SUB). Boxing background. Trains at Spartakus Fight Gym.
Roberts (30) re-joined the UFC last year, taking a fight with Mateusz Rebecki on very short notice and losing via first round armbar. Between UFC stints he was on of the UFC veterans to take part in TUF 31, losing in the semi-final of the LW competition to Austin Hubbard (decision). Cut from the UFC after three finish losses in a row to Ignacio Bahamondes (KO), Jim Miller (submission) and Kevin Croom (submission) - although the latter was later overturned to a no contest when Croom failed a post-fight drug test for marijuana. He initially stated his UFC career very well, winning four of his first five fights albeit against limited competition - the pick of the wins came over Alexander Yakovlev (decision) and the loss to Vinc Pichel (decision). One of the standout performers on the second series of Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series, putting a real clinic on Garrett Gross (12-11). 9/12 wins inside the distance (4 KO, 5 SUB). Very tall frame for the LW division at 6'1, his long arms give him the leverage to finish chokes that would be unavailable to most others. Well rounded, can win fights with striking or grappling. Trains at Adrenaline Martial Arts.
Roberts isn't getting any favours in the matchmaking, although this is a similar style match-up to the Herbert fight where Klein struggled.
Prediction: Klein by decision.
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Kevin Jousset (2.50) vs. Bryan Battle (1.57)
Jousset is 2-0 in UFC, 10-2 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-W-W
Battle is 5-1-1 in UFC, 10-2-1 overall. Last 5: W-L-W-W-NC
Jousset (31) got his UFC career off to a good start in the second half of last year, easily submitting Kieffer Crosbie in the first round in his UFC 293 debut before returning in December to win a wide decision over Kenan Song. The Frenchman was added to the UFC roster after competing on the Australian MMA circuit, finishing his time on the regionals by going 2-0 for Hex Fight Series with wins over Kitt Campbell (13-7) and Priscus Fogagnolo (11-2). Has also fought for another top Australian regional promotion Eternal MMA, going 2-2 with losses to ranked UFC WW Jack Della Maddalena (KO) and Kaleb Rideout (7-3). 5/10 wins by decision. Tall WW (6'2). Fights out of the extremely successful City Kickboxing gym.
Battle (29) had to make do with a no contest when Ange Loosa said he couldn't see following an eye poke in March - he had been comfortably winning the fight. He looked excellent in both 2023 appearances, knocking out Gabriel Green in 14 seconds and submitting A.J. Fletcher in the second round - a strong rebound from a very one-sided loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov (decision) at the end of 2022. Also has another sub-one-minute UFC KO win over Takashi Sato. Won what was billed as the true TUF 29 MW final against Tresean Gore (decision) at the beginning of 2022; Gore had been forced to withdraw from the original final which saw Battle beat replacement Gilbert Urbina (submission). Made it to the final of the competition by beating Kemran Lachinov (decision) and Andre Petroski (submission). Entered the competition as a virtual unknown having not faced any notable competition or appeared for any of the top North American regional promotions. One other career loss to Nickalas Martino (3-6) in his second fight. Good amateur record (8-2), including wins over UFC veterans Impa Kasanganay and Cody Brundage. 8/10 wins inside the distance (3 KO, 5 SUB). Fights out of Hayastan MMA Charlotte.
Good fight between two mid-tier MWs who have the potential to crack in top 15 in the near future. Both prefer to strike; unless Jousset comes in with a plan to mix offensive wrestling in then I think Battle will be the one with the edge on the feet.
Prediction: Battle by decision.
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Oumar Sy (1.18) vs. Da Woon Jung (5.00)
Sy is 1-0 in UFC, 10-0 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-W-W
Jung is 4-3-1 in UFC, 15-5-1 overall. Last 5: W-W-L-L-L
Sy (28) was very dominant in his May UFC debut, finishing short notice opponent George Tokkos in the first round (submission). The French LHW had proven himself on the European MMA scene with appearances in strong regional promotions KSW (3-0), Ares FC (1-0), Oktagon MMA (1-0) and GMC (1-0). His final two regional wins came over UFC veterans in Ildemar Alcantara (KO) and Henrique da Silva (submission). Other notable career wins over Bartlomiej Gladkowicz (9-5), Paulin Begai (5-3), Adam Tomasik (6-2) and Daniel Skvor (7-4). 8/10 wins inside the distance (4 KO, 4 SUB). Trains at Bulgarian Top Team.
Jung (30) is looking to turn around a bad spell that has seen him lose three in a row - last year he suffered setbacks against Devin Clark (decision) and Carlos Ulberg (submission). The first of those losses against Dustin Jacoby (KO) was his first in the UFC having begun his career at this level by going undefeated in five - the final of those an impressive first round stoppage of Kennedy Nzechukwu (KO). The only time he didn't emerge victorious during that streak was a draw with Sam Alvey at UFC 254, where he rallied from two rounds down to dominate the third round. Other UFC wins over William Knight (decision), Mike Rodriguez (KO) and Khadis Ibragimov (submission). Finished his regional career competing for the Japanese organisation Heat, going 6-0 with wins over Sasa Milinkovic (8-3) and Shunsuke Inoue (16-11-2). Regional losses to Jun Soo Lim (14-14-1) and UFC veteran Roque Martinez (submission) in his first three professional fights. 11/15 wins by KO. A legit-sized LHW (6'3) in a part of the world where fighters of this size are rarely produced. Trains at Korean Top Team.
Sy looks like a nailed on future ranked LHW, he's well-rounded and will have athletic advantages over most guys he faces.
Prediction: Sy by KO in round 2.
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Bolaji Oki (1.50) vs. Chris Duncan (2.70)
Oki is 1-0 in UFC, 9-1 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-W-W
Duncan is 2-1 in UFC, 11-2 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-W-L
Oki (28) emerged from his UFC debut against Timothy Cuamba with a split decision victory in February. He put on one of the better performances on the 2023 season of Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series, finishing Dylan Salvador (6-2) with a punch to the body in the first round. The Belgian lost his pro debut against Sebastien Di Franco (10-2) in 2018 but since then has rattled off nine straight wins with the pick of those coming over Nair Melikyan (12-2-1) and Fayad Djoumoi (5-3-1). 5/9 wins by KO.
Duncan (31) was submitted by Manuel Torres inside two minutes in February. That came after a successful first year in the UFC that saw him emerge with wins over Omar Morales (decision) and Yamal Ashmoz (decision) on the two U.K. shows. Involved in arguably the most memorable fight on the 2022 Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series, looking in serious trouble before scoring an incredible come-from-behind KO of a fighter now also in the UFC in Charlie Campbell. That was his second involvement in DWTNCS having previously lost to Viacheslav Borshchev (KO) in 2020. The Scot also went 3-0 in Bellator including a good win over Mateusz Piskorz (15-6). Other notable career wins over Jonathan Carlos (12-9) and Leandro Souza (9-5). 7/11 wins by KO. 8-1 as an amateur. Trains at MXP Fitness.
Huge athleticism disparity here, Oki is just going to be too fast and dynamic for Duncan (who relies on his chin way too much).
Prediction: Oki by KO in round 2.
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Morgan Charriere (1.14) vs. Gabriel Miranda (6.00)
Charriere is 1-1 in UFC, 19-10-1 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-W-L
Miranda is 1-1 in UFC, 17-6 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-L-W
Charriere (28) looks to rebound from a split decision loss to Jose Mariscal in April. He made a successful debut on the correspondong show last year, finishing Manolo Zecchini with a well placed body kick in the first round. Graduated to the UFC having spent the previous four years competing for Cage Warriors, where he went 6-3 including a spell as their FW Champion. The Frenchman has notable career wins over Diego Silva (16-9), Pedro Souza (18-6), Lewis Monarch (12-7), Julien Gracco (12-4) and UFC veteran William Gomis (submission). Career losses since 2017 against Salahdine Parnasse (19-2), Ruslan Khazhmurzaev (3-1), Soren Bak (15-1), Paul Hughes (12-1) and UFC veteran Jordan Vucenic (decison). 11/19 wins by KO, only finished once in his career back in 2015. Fights out of Team Chapa Quente.
Miranda (34) takes a short notice fight on the same Paris card he debuted on two years ago, where he was finished with strikes 16 seconds into the second round in a tough debut match-up with Benoit St. Denis. In between those bookings he picked up his first UFC win over Shane Young (submission) at UFC 293. The Brazilian is a submission specialist who has competed around the world including a 2-1 spell in BRAVE FC which featured a win over Fernando Noriega (9-6-1) alongside a loss against Akhmed Magomedov (9-1-1). 7-0 in little known Brazilian promotion Face the Danger. Notable career wins over Willian Lima (14-5-1), Julio Brenes (5-1) and Diego Oliveira (5-1). Finished one other time by UFC veteran Vagner Rocha (KO) back in 2016, his only other loss since beginning his MMA career 1-2 is against Hiroki Nagaoka (29-26-13) in a lone appearance for Japanese organisation Pancrase. 16/17 wins by submission. Trains at MMA MASTERS.
Charriere is going to be too slick on the feet and shouldn't have much trouble keeping the fight where he wants it.
Prediction: Charriere by decision.
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Ailin Perez (1.44) vs. Darya Zheleznyakova (2.87)
Perez is 3-1 in UFC, 10-2 overall. Last 5: W-L-W-W-W
Zheleznyakova is 1-0 in UFC, 9-1 overall. Last 5: W-W-L-W-W
Perez (29) has strung together three wins over the last 14 months, most recently beating Joselyne Edwards (decision) at UFC 302. She got her UFC career moving in the right direction in the second half of 2023, picking up her first wins at this level over Ashlee Evans-Smith (decision) and Lucie Pudilova (decision). These successes came after she moved down to WBW having lost her UFC debut against Stephanie Egger (submission) at WFW in 2022. The Argentinian graduated from her domestic scene where she has only one notable win over Stephanie Bragayrac (9-5). Her other professional loss against UFC veteran Tamires Vidal comes with an asterisk as it was a disqualification for illegal knees. 5/10 wins by decision. Sanda background. Now training at MMA Masters.
Zheleznyakova (28) will look to build on a successful UFC debut against Montserrat Rendon (decision) in March. She signed with the UFC fresh off a 2-1 spell with French MMA organisation Ares FC where she beat UFC veteran Liana Jojua (decision) but lost to another girl now on the UFC roster in Melissa Dixon (KO). The Russian has good wins on her regional circuit over Gozel Zutova (9-1) and Iryna Kyselova (10-6). 5/9 wins by KO. Trains at MMA Factory.
Perez has been beating bottom-of-the-barrel WBWs and we're yet to really understand what Zheleznyakova's level is. Low confidence pick.
Prediction: Perez by decision.
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Daniel Barez (2.10) vs. Victor Altamirano (1.72)
Barez is 0-1 in UFC, 16-6 overall. Last 5: W-W-W-W-L
Altamirano is 2-3 in UFC, 12-4 overall. Last 5: L-W-W-L-L
Barez (35) had Jafel Filho in lots of trouble on the feet in his UFC debut last year but was then put on his back and submitted. He won four in a row after an opportunity on Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series in 2021 against UFC veteran Carlos Hernandez (decision). The Spaniard has experience competing across the world for Combate Americas (2-0), BAMMA (2-0) and UAE Warriors (1-0). Suffered losses against UFC veteran Manel Kape (submission), Mikael Silander (20-10), Chris Miah (10-2) and Dawid Zywica (10-7-1) in a tough beginning to his career but has gone on to pick up decent wins over Ivan Hernandez (10-7-1) and Jamie Powell (6-3). 13/16 wins inside the distance (7 KO, 6 SUB), 3/6 losses by submission. Trains at Entram Gym.
Altamirano (33) was unlucky to come out on the wrong side of a split decision against Felipe dos Santos in February - his second defeat in a row having struggled with the relentless pace of Tim Elliott (decision) last year. The Elliott loss snapped a two-fight win streak that had seen him emerge successful over Vinicius Salvador (decision) and Daniel Lacerda (KO). Debuted towards the beginning of 2022, losing another split decision against Carlos Hernandez. Graduated off the 2021 season of Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series having won a split decision over another fighter now on the UFC roster in Carlos Candelario. The Mexican spent the majority of his regional career developing his skills in LFA, where he held an impressive 9-0 record and departed as reigning FLW Champion having won the vacant belt against Nate Smith (8-4). Other notable career wins over Lloyd McKinney (16-8), Chris Ocon (8-3) and Joao Camillo (8-7). One other professional setback against UFC veteran Jarred Brooks (submission). 6/12 wins and 3/4 losses by decision.
Altamirano is typically involved in close, competitive fights and he's had some bad luck with decisions. He's more proven in terms of being able to compete with UFC-level opposition.
Prediction: Altamirano by decision.
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