Flyweights on parade!
OK, which may not be the official tagline for UFC Vegas 93, however it might as effectively be given the abundance of 125ers competing Saturday. On the boys’s facet, you might have headliners Alex Perez and Tatsuro Taira—No. 12 and No. 13 respectively within the MMA Preventing International Rankings—plus Asu Almabayev vs. Jose Johnson (who by some means made weight regardless of being 6-feet tall) and Jimmy Flick vs. Nate Maness, whereas ladies’s flyweights Carli Judice and Gabriella Fernandes are additionally in motion.
(In the event you’re questioning what occurred to arguably the second-most intriguing matchup of the cardboard, Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Joshua Van, that one is off after Ulanbekov blew weight by over three kilos.)
As we only in the near past noticed with Steve Erceg, all it takes is a few strong wins to earn a flyweight title shot, so one contender might see their inventory skyrocket with a formidable efficiency this weekend. Perhaps it’s Perez who’s due for a resurgence following an enormous knockout of Matheus Nicolau, or it could possibly be the 24-year-old Taira who continues his unblemished march in the direction of UFC gold.
As regular, when retaining your eye on the 125-pound division, it’s greatest to not blink.
What: UFC Vegas 93
The place: UFC APEX in Las Vegas
When: Saturday, June 15. The six-fight preliminary card begins at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN+, adopted by a six-fight primary card at 10 p.m. ET additionally on ESPN2 and ESPN+.
Alex Perez vs. Tatsuro Taira
By a large margin, that is hardest check of Tatsuro Taira’s profession. It’s simple to think about Alex Perez’s veteran savvy being an excessive amount of for the Japanese wunderkind, and should you assume Taira is a future title challenger then that is a simple decide. Within the UFC, Perez has solely misplaced to champions (Alexandre Pantoja and Deiveson Figueiredo), a blue-chip prospect (Muhammad Mokaev), and an all-time nice contender (Joseph Benavidez). We might have a look at Saturday’s primary occasion because the second that Taira staked his declare to belong amongst these luminaries.
With out overthinking it, Taira is the decide right here. Perez is unquestionably extra battle-tested, having tangled with the very best 125ers of his technology, however he’s additionally at all times had one obtrusive shortcoming: grappling protection. Anybody who’s watched Taira for 2 minutes can let you know grappling simply occurs to be his specialty, which is unhealthy information for Perez.
Even when it’s Perez initiating the grappling, he’s been unable to constantly keep away from submission makes an attempt, and Taira will guarantee that he has lots to consider there. It additionally must be famous that Taira is freakishly sturdy, so even when Perez’s method is on level, Taira may simply energy by and bully him.
Perez wins a standup battle, however this received’t be standing lengthy sufficient for that to matter.
Taira by third-round submission.
Choose: Taira
Douglas Silva de Andrade vs. Miles Johns
Miles Johns is a superbly enough all-arounder who takes a while to get his offense going. That received’t minimize it in opposition to Douglas Silva de Andrade.
Being able to place Silva de Andrade on his again is at all times a plus, and you could possibly see Johns go to the effectively early as he focuses on neutralizing the Brazilian’s harmful placing. Johns is aware of how you can combat good, so he received’t power something or give Silva de Andrade openings to counter.
Sadly for Johns, his lack of next-level ending potential signifies that “D’Silva” shall be a relentless risk to power him right into a slugfest. Silva de Andrade will take two to land one, an change that always works in his favor. Johns can solely play the mouse for thus lengthy earlier than the cat will get his claws into him.
After a five-minute feeling-out course of, Silva de Andrade turns it up in Spherical 2 and takes Johns out.
Choose: Silva de Andrade
Timmy Cuamba vs. Lucas Almeida
Has Lucas Almeida realized to cease a takedown? As a result of if he hasn’t, that is going to be a drag.
It’s no secret Almeida needs to face and bang. He and his staff shall be ecstatic if Timmy Cuamba comes out desirous to throw arms, a technique that can virtually undoubtedly backfire on “Twilight.” Although Almeida has did not impress in his previous two outings, when he’s on, he’s a dynamic striker who can end with quite a lot of methods.
When he’s off—off of his toes, to be precise—he’s a legal responsibility. So long as Cuamba isn’t overly aggressive and focuses on place over submission, he has a transparent path to victory. Takedowns, takedowns, and extra takedowns are the order of the day for Cuamba. Again at featherweight, he ought to have little hassle muscling Almeida to the mat, then rinsing and repeating this sequence till the judges have rendered their determination.
Choose: Cuamba
Brady Hiestand vs. Garrett Armfield
One factor you’ve received to present Brady Hiestand credit score for, he’s received a ton of coronary heart. What the Final Fighter 29 finalist lacks in expertise, he greater than makes up for in uncooked power and willpower. Few fighters will take pleasure in going into deep waters with Hiestand sooner or later.
Garrett Armfield is a fighter who received’t thoughts that state of affairs taking part in out. His off-kilter standup fashion will hold Hiestand guessing, leaving Hiestand little choice however to shoot in from lengthy distance. Don’t be shocked if Armfield’s counter wrestling causes Hiestand to be the one combating off of his again.
Hiestand’s toughness ought to save him from a end, however Armfield’s placing may have him cruising to a call after three rounds.
Choose: Armfield
Asu Almabayev vs. Jose Johnson
To not lump all of the fighters from Kazakhstan collectively, however Asu Almabayev is the most recent from that nation to exhibit a critical imply streak as soon as that cage door closes. On the toes or on the bottom, Almabayev is at all times seeking to end. He has a frightening problem forward of him in bantamweight transplant Jose Johnson.
I nonetheless don’t know the way the towering Johnson beat the size Friday, however he overcame that important hurdle and appears to be one probably the most unorthodox opponents within the flyweight division. With a 71.5-inch attain, Johnson is able to stinging the typical 125er with a couple of jabs and straight punches earlier than they’ve even had an opportunity to gauge distance. He’s additionally produced some unbelievable knockouts on the regional scene, although that hasn’t translated contained in the octagon simply but.
Almabayev could be sensible to take Johnson down and that’s what he’ll do if he feels remotely threatened. Johnson isn’t significantly expert with regards to defending takedowns nor submissions, so it’s solely a matter of time till Almabayev imposes his will on this combat.
I’ve Almabayev submitting Johnson late within the first.
Choose: Almabayev
Josh Quinlan vs. Adam Fugitt
They is perhaps missing in title worth, however Josh Quinlan and Adam Fugitt are fantastic decisions to open the principle card. Primarily as a result of both of them delivers a Efficiency of the Night time-worthy end, or they scrape and claw their approach to a Combat of the Night time bonus.
Fugitt’s pressure-heavy combating fashion and Quinlan’s wrestling-based offense ought to make for a compelling conflict of types. Will Fugitt set the tone early and hold Fugitt from getting out of the beginning gate? Or will Fugitt rapidly get his arms on Quinlan and grapple him into oblivion?
On this combat, dimension issues, and the bulkier Quinlan will discover a approach to work previous Fugitt’s punches to safe takedowns. On the mat, a gradual food regimen of ground-and-pound will result in Fugitt ending Quinlan within the opening spherical.
Choose: Fugitt
Preliminaries
Jimmy Flick def. Nate Maness
Gabriella Fernandes def. Carli Judice
Jeka Saragih def. Westin Wilson
Melquizael Costa def. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke
Julia Polastri def. Josefine Knutsson
