Predictions! UFC Atlantic City ‘Prelims’ Preview – Pt. 1

The highest ladies’s Flyweight contender can be determined inside Boardwalk Corridor in Atlantic Metropolis, N.J., this weekend (Sat., March 30, 2024) when Erin Blanchfield and Manon Fiorot put their undefeated Octagon data on the road. UFC Atlantic Metropolis’s co-feature sees Joaquin Buckley step as much as battle Vicente Luque after Sean Brady’s exit (particulars right here), whereas Chris Weidman chases his second win since 2017 in opposition to Brazilian finisher, Bruno Silva.

Eight “Prelims” set the primary card stage this week, all of them on ESPN+/ESPN2. Let’s try the primary batch …

205 lbs.: Ibo Aslan vs. Anton Turkalj

Ibo Aslan (12-1) battled his approach to an ideal (8-0) skilled begin earlier than falling to Anton Turkalj (8-3) in his 2020 Courageous CF debut. A subsequent trio of first spherical finishes put him again within the win column and carried him to Contender Collection, the place he smashed Paulo Renato Jr. to earn a UFC contract.

All 12 of his wins have come through knockout.

Having didn’t safe a contract along with his Contender Collection choice over Acacio dos Santos, Turkalj stepped up on brief discover to battle Jailton Almeida lower than two months later. Although behold, the transfer kicked off what’s now a three-fight shedding streak, the latest of which noticed him knocked out by Tyson Pedro.

He stands one inch taller than Aslan and sports activities a half-inch attain benefit.

These first assembly between these two noticed Aslan put the harm on Turkalj for multiple spherical earlier than working out of steam and committing a deadly unforced error. Turkalj gained’t be so lucky this time — Aslan appears considerably sharper than earlier than and Turkalj’s sturdiness failed him badly in opposition to Pedro, suggesting he gained’t survive lengthy sufficient to drag the same comeback.

Aslan admittedly hasn’t had his cardio examined since final time and will very properly collapse once more, nevertheless it’s far likelier that he batters Turkalj into submission inside minutes.

Prediction: Aslan def. Turkalj through first spherical technical knockout

125 lbs.: Viktoriia Dudakova vs. Melissa Gatto

Viktoriia Dudakova (8-0) defied 2:1 odds to defeat Maria Silva on Contender Collection and declare a UFC contract in 2022. Two UFC bouts have seen her defeat Istela Nunes by damage stoppage, then flooring Jinh Yu Frey on her approach to a unanimous choice.

Her six skilled finishes are break up 4:2 between submissions and (technical) knockouts.

Melissa Gatto (8-2-2) made up for practically two years on the sidelines with back-to-back knockouts of Victoria Leonardo and Sijara Eubanks within the Octagon. She’s winless since, dropping aggressive choices to Tracy Cortez and Ariane Lipski over the course of 14 months.

She’ll get pleasure from a two-inch attain benefit.

Even with Gatto’s latest struggles, this looks like a mighty huge ask for Dudakova. That vaunted wrestling of hers was nowhere to be discovered in opposition to the undersized Jinh Yu Frey, who managed to rack up a whole spherical of prime management with little resistance. That’s not a fantastic signal in opposition to a reliable takedown artist in Gatto, particularly contemplating this can be Dudakova’s Flyweight debut.

Dudakova did exhibit some improved boxing within the Frey battle — and contemplating each her younger age and what was in all probability a severe weight minimize — there’s each motive to anticipate a much-improved product come Saturday. Her lack of a backside recreation is simply too huge a priority in opposition to a grappler of this caliber and I’m not satisfied she will be able to overwhelm somebody who went toe-to-toe with Ariane Lipski on the toes.

In the long run, Gatto holds her personal within the putting exchanges and racks up prime management for a clear win.

Prediction: Gatto through unanimous choice

185 lbs.: Andre Petroski vs. Jacob Malkoun

Andre Petroski (10-3) put his unsuccessful The Final Fighter (TUF) run behind him to win 5 straight within the Octagon, together with a 76-second submission of Nick Maximov as an almost 3:1 underdog. He then received the decision to welcome Michel Pereira to the Middleweight division, however fell to “Demolidor’s” proper hand simply 66 second into the battle.

His eight skilled finishes are break up evenly between knockouts and submissions.

The 2020 UFC debut of Malkoun (7-3) noticed him lose his undefeated file to Phil Hawes in simply 18 seconds. He’s since put collectively a 3-2 run, notably shedding a controversial choice to Brendan Allen and incomes a disqualification in opposition to Cody Brundage due to unlawful strikes.

He provides up three inches of peak to Petroski.

We are able to anticipate a dominant begin from Petroski. Malkoun’s boxing pedigree has but to translate right into a noteworthy putting assault and the Maximov battle confirmed what’s going to occur if Malkoun will get too predictable along with his takedowns.

I’m simply not satisfied it’ll final.

Petroski’s fuel tank has confirmed fickle through the years — at the least in opposition to opponents who put up significant resistance — and Malkoun’s fashion is as exhausting as they arrive. Malkoun may be affected person if wanted (as seen in opposition to A.J. Dobson) and odds are he’ll discover it progressively simpler to manhandle Petroski because the rounds go by. Although Petroski has an actual likelihood to both flatline Malkoun within the opening minutes or protect his fuel by attacking Malkoun’s weirdly porous takedown protection, the likeliest final result sees Malkoun climate a tough begin to grind Petroski into oblivion down the stretch.

Prediction: Malkoun through unanimous choice

145 lbs.: Angel Pacheco vs. Caolan Loughran

13 months after ending Vilson Ndregjoni through flying knee-assisted rear-naked choke, Angel Pacheco (7-1) entered the Contender Collection cage to face Danny Silva. The pair wound up touchdown a mixed 401 important strikes in quarter-hour. And although Pacheco fell brief on the scorecards, his efforts have been sufficient to earn him a contract.

He boasts two inches of peak and attain on Caolan Loughran (8-1).

Loughran capped off his four-fight stint in Cage Warriors by knocking out Dylan Hazan to say the promotion’s Bantamweight title. He was slated to make his UFC debut 4 months later in opposition to Yanis Ghemmouri, however as an alternative took on French veteran, Taylor Lapilus, who handed Loughran his first defeat of any variety since 2018 through unanimous choice.

5 of his seven skilled finishes have come through knockout.

Pacheco’s coronary heart and toughness can’t be questioned, however the remainder of his recreation certain can. He’s a defensive sieve with little energy and a bent to wind up within the pocket even when it’s in opposition to his greatest curiosity. These will not be nice points to have in opposition to a tank like Loughran, who can also be hittable; nevertheless, “The Don” is considerably extra harmful than Pacheco in shut quarters and the superior wrestler in addition.

Pacheco simply doesn’t have something in his arsenal that may bother Loughran and his unhealthy habits play straight into Loughran’s strengths. In the long run, Loughran flooring him with an early proper hand and kilos him out earlier than he can get his wits again.

Prediction: Loughran through first spherical technical knockout

4 extra UFC Atlantic Metropolis “Prelims” undercard bouts stay to preview and predict, together with the newest from Featherweight spotlight machine, Nate Landwehr. Similar time tomorrow, Maniacs.

Do not forget that MMAmania.com will ship LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow protection of your complete UFC Atlantic Metropolis battle card proper right here, beginning with the ESPN2/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches, that are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET, then the remaining foremost card stability on ESPN (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET.

To take a look at the newest and best UFC Atlantic Metropolis: “Blancfield vs. Fiorot” information and notes remember to hit up our complete occasion archive proper right here.