Song Yadong (7) Vs. Chris Gutierrez (14) – Bantamweight
At only 26 years of age, Song Yadong has already racked up an impressive 9 wins within the UFC, including wins over notable contenders such as Ricky Simon, Marlon Moraes, Casey Kenney and Marlon Vera.
Boasting an equally impressive record of 8 victories in the UFC, including a sensational knockout of Frankie Edgar, Chris Gutierrez is looking to make his case and claim Song Yadong’s place as a top ten fighter in the bantamweight division.
Team Picks:
Ola –
Will –
Naz –
Jordan –
Anthony Smith (8) Vs. Khalil Roundtree Jr. (11) – Light Heavyweight
The UFC veteran, Anthony Smith, steps up on short notice to take on Khalil Roundtree Junior after Khalil’s opponent, Azamat Murzakanov withdrew from the bout due to pneumonia.
Anthony Smith is looking to silence the doubters and secure a decisive victory this weekend. Khalil Rountree Jr. on the other hand, is looking to stake his claim in the top ten, and showcase why he is a serious contender in the division. Khalil is currently on a 4 fight win streak including his last outing against Chris Daukaus, where he ended the fight with a straight left in the first round.
Team Picks:
Ola –
Will –
Naz –
Jordan –
Sumudaerji Vs. Allan Nascimento – Flyweight
Sumudaerji “The Tibetan Eagle” makes his return to the octagon after an extended layoff. Sumudaerji hasn’t competed more than once per year since 2018, and is currently on a one fight skid to Matt Schnell. After Allan “Puro Osso” Nascimento lost his UFC debut back in 2021, he has been firing on all cylinders and is looking to extend his 2-fight win streak.
Team Picks:
Ola –
Will –
Naz –
Jordan –
Nasrat Haqparast Vs. Jamie Mullarkey – Lightweight
UFC Fight Night: Dariush vs. Tsarukyan this past Saturday (December 2nd) lived up to the hype! The event in Austin, Texas had the largest gate for a fight night and with 75% of fights ending either by knockout or submission, it was a huge success.
Main Event:
Arman Tsarukyan (8) defeated Beneil Dariush (4) via first round knockout.
Arman Tsarukyan came out to put on a performance to top all of the bouts from this action packed event with a first round knock out of Beniel Dariush.
Team Picks:
Ola – Beniel Dariush
Naz – Beniel Dariush
Will – Beneil Dariush
Jordan – Amar Tsarukyan
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Arman Tsarukyan
Jalin Turner (12) defeated Bobby Green (13) via first round knockout
Jalin turner reminded everyone at 155 why they aren’t calling him out with a show stopping first round knock out of Bobby Green.
Team Picks:
Ola – Bobby Green
Naz – Jalin Turner
Will – Bobby Green
Jordan – Jalin Turner
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Bobby Green
Deiveson Figeuredo outpaced Rob Font (8) to earn a unanimous victory.
Coming up a weight class, Figeuredo appeared to fit into the weight class well early on. Figueiredo secured a unanimous decision over three rounds.
Team Picks:
Ola – Deiveson Figeuredo
Naz – Rob Font
Will – Deiveson Figeuredo
Jordan – Deiveson Figeuredo
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Deiveson Figeuredo
Sean Brady (9) defeated Kelvin Gastelum via submission in the third round.
Sean Brady was technically brilliant from start to finish, dominating Kelvin in every aspect. Kelvin succumbed to an arm crank in the third round.
Team Picks:
Ola – Sean Brady
Naz – Sean Brady
Will – Sean Brady
Jordan – Kelvin Gastelum
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Kelvin Gastelum
Joaquim Silva defeated Clay Guida by winning rounds 1 and 3 on the scorecards.
Both fighters showed grit and heart throughout the bout, however all three judges saw the fight in favour of Joaquim Silva.
Team Picks:
Ola – Joaquim Silva
Naz – Clay Guida
Will – Joaquim Silva
Jordan – Joaquim Silva
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Clay Guida
Dustin Stoltzfus submitted Punahele Soriano in the second round.
Looking like two heavyweights through the first round, Dustin Stoltzfus secured a takedown in the second round, which lead him to a submission victory.
Team Picks:
Ola – Punahele Soriano
Naz – Punahele Soriano
Will – Punahele Soriano
Jordan – Punahele Soriano
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Punahele Soriano
Feature Prelim:
Miesha Tate submitted Julia Avila in the third round.
After a few days shy of a year away from the octagon, Miesha Tate secured her victory with a third-round submission over Julia Avila
Team Picks:
Ola – Meisha Tate
Naz – Meisha Tate
Will – Julia Avila
Jordan – Julia Avila
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Meisa Tate
Cody Brundage slammed his way to victory in round 1.
Cody Brundage wanted to one up Drakkar Klose and ended the fight with a slam in the first round.
Team Picks:
Ola – Zach Reese
Naz – Zach Reese
Will – Zach Reese
Jordan – Zach Reese
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Zach Reese
Drakkar Klose put Joe Solecki on his head to win via KO in the first round.
Drakkar Klose sent Joe Selecki to the shadow realm after Selecki was attempting an arm bar, Klose picked him up, and slammed him on his head.
Team Picks:
Ola – Drakkar Klose
Naz – Drakkar Klose
Will – Drakkar Klose
Jordan – Drakkar Klose
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Drakkar Klose
Rodolfo Bellato defeated Ihor Potieria in the second round.
Rodolfo Bellato survived an early onslaught in his UFC debut to claim a victory in the second round by way of ground and pound.
Team Picks:
Ola – Rodolfo Bellato
Naz – Rodolfo Bellato
Will – Rodolfo Bellato
Jordan – Rodolfo Bellato
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Rodolfo Bellato
Jared Gooden submitted Wellington Turman in the second round.
Jared Gooden landed some heavy shots in the second round rocking Turman and eventually securing a rear naked choke to claim the victory.
Team Picks:
Ola – Wellington Turman
Naz – Wellington Turman
Will – Jared Gooden
Jordan – Wellington Turman
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Wellington Turman
Veronica Hardy dominated Jamey-Lyn Horth for three rounds to win via UD.
Veronica Hardy earned herself a unanimous decision victory over Jamey-Lyn Horth.
Team Picks:
Ola – Veronica Hardy
Naz – Veronica Hardy
Will – Jamey-Lyn Horth
Jordan – Veronica Hardy
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Veronica Hardy
UFC Fight Night: Dariush vs. Tsarukyan goes down at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas this Saturday (December 2nd). With many fans putting this card above some PPVs from earlier in the year, this is sure to be one of the best Fight Nights’ we’ve had in recent memory.
Main Event:
Beneil Dariush (4) Vs. Arman Tsarukyan (8) – Lightweight
Beniel Dariush is coming off a number 1 contender match against Charles Oliveira. Dariush succumbed to Ground and Pound in the first round.
Arman Tsarukyan is on a two-fight win streak over Joaquim Silva (ground and pound – Round 3) and Damir Ismagulov (decision – Unanimous).
Team Picks:
Ola – Beniel Dariush
Naz – Beniel Dariush
Will – Beneil Dariush
Jordan – Amar Tsarukyan
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Arman Tsarukyan
Bobby Green (13) Vs. Jalin Turner (12) – Lightweight
Bobby “King” Green is coming in on a two-fight win streak over Grant Dawson (strikes – Round 1) and Tony Ferguson (Arm Triangle Choke – Round 3). Jalin “the Tarantula” turner is stepping up on short notice to replace his last opponent, Dan Hooker (9), of which he lost via decision – Split).
Team Picks:
Ola – Bobby Green
Naz – Jalin Turner
Will – Bobby Green
Jordan – Jalin Turner
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Bobby Green
Rob Font (8) Vs. Deiveson Figeuredo – Bantamweight
Rob Font is coming off a loss to Cory Sandhagen (Decision – Unanimous). Deiveson “Deus Da Guerra” Figueiredo is moving up to Bantamweight after his loss (doctor stoppage – round 3) to Brandon Moreno for the Flyweight championship belt.
Team Picks:
Ola – Deiveson Figeuredo
Naz – Rob Font
Will – Deiveson Figeuredo
Jordan – Deiveson Figeuredo
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Deiveson Figeuredo
Sean Brady (9) Vs. Kelvin Gastelum – Welterweight
Sean Brady makes his long awaited return after his TKO loss to Belal Muhammad over a year ago. Kelvin Gastelum returns to the welterweight division after his controversial win over Chris Curtis at middleweight.
Team Picks:
Ola – Sean Brady
Naz – Sean Brady
Will – Sean Brady
Jordan – Kelvin Gastelum
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Kelvin Gastelum
Clay Guida Vs. Joaquim Silva – Lightweight
Team Picks:
Ola – Joaquim Silva
Naz – Clay Guida
Will – Joaquim Silva
Jordan – Joaquim Silva
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Clay Guida
Punahele Soriano Vs. Dustin Stoltzfus – Middleweight
Team Picks:
Ola – Punahele Soriano
Naz – Punahele Soriano
Will – Punahele Soriano
Jordan – Punahele Soriano
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Punahele Soriano
Feature Prelim:
Meisha Tate Vs. Julia Avila – Bantamweight
Team Picks:
Ola – Meisha Tate
Naz – Meisha Tate
Will – Julia Avila
Jordan – Julia Avila
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Meisa Tate
Zach Reese Vs. Cody Brundage – Middleweight
Team Picks:
Ola – Zach Reese
Naz – Zach Reese
Will – Zach Reese
Jordan – Zach Reese
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Zach Reese
Drakkar Klose Vs. Joe Solecki – Lightweight
Team Picks:
Ola – Drakkar Klose
Naz – Drakkar Klose
Will – Drakkar Klose
Jordan – Drakkar Klose
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Drakkar Klose
Rodolfo Bellato Vs. Ihor Potieria – Light Heavyweight
Team Picks:
Ola – Rodolfo Bellato
Naz – Rodolfo Bellato
Will – Rodolfo Bellato
Jordan – Rodolfo Bellato
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Rodolfo Bellato
Wellington Turman Vs. Jared Gooden – Welterweight
Team Picks:
Ola – Wellington Turman
Naz – Wellington Turman
Will – Jared Gooden
Jordan – Wellington Turman
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Wellington Turman
Veronica Hardy Vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth – Flyweight
Team Picks:
Ola – Veronica Hardy
Naz – Veronica Hardy
Will – Jamey-Lyn Horth
Jordan – Veronica Hardy
Guest pick: The Rambling Dad Podcast – Veronica Hardy
For Bellator299, Kenny “Black Diamond” Mokhonoana and The Fight Week Show have teamed up to give away 2 free tickets to Bellator299 in Dublin, Ireland on the 23rd of September, 2023.
To be in the chance to win, read until the end.
Dublin – Bellator MMA Unveils Six Exciting Additions to Bellator 299: Eblen vs. Edwards Event
Dublin, Ireland – Bellator MMA is gearing up for an explosive night of mixed martial arts action with the announcement of six electrifying new matchups set to take place at Bellator 299: Eblen vs. Edwards. The highly-anticipated event is scheduled for Saturday, September 23, and will unfold at the iconic 3Arena in Dublin. With a total of 21 adrenaline-pumping fights on the card, fight fans can expect nothing short of a memorable evening of world-class MMA competition.
The main event promises to be a showdown for the ages as undefeated Bellator Middleweight World Champion Johnny Eblen (13-0) puts his perfect record on the line against the UK’s top contender, Fabian Edwards (12-2). Edwards, aiming to follow in the footsteps of his brother, seeks to seize the championship in this high-stakes encounter.
In the co-main event, the audience will witness a clash of styles as No. 3-ranked Aaron Pico (11-4), a former wrestling prodigy turned ferocious striker, takes on SBG Ireland’s No. 5-ranked Pedro Carvalho (13-7) in an unmissable featherweight battle.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, September 23
Time: Main card airs live on SHOWTIME (US), BBC iPlayer (UK), and Virgin Media Sport (IRE) at 9 p.m. BST / 4 p.m. ET. Preliminary card begins at 4 p.m. BST / 11 a.m. ET, streaming on the Bellator YouTube Channel, Bellator channel on Pluto TV (US), BBC iPlayer (UK), and Virgin Media Sport (IRE).
New Additions:
In the lightweight division, No. 9-ranked Mansour Barnaoui (20-5) from Tunisia and France will square off against New Zealand’s grappling ace Jay-Jay Wilson (9-1). Barnaoui, a titleholder in multiple promotions, will face the submission prowess of Wilson.
Welterweight action heats up as SBG’s Luca Poclit (9-1), known for his crafty jiu-jitsu, takes on the striking sensation Roman Faraldo (8-1) from American Top Team. Faraldo is famous for his aggressive style and spectacular flying knees.
Featherweight excitement continues with Frenchman Asael Adjoudj (6-1) from SBG Ireland facing off against Manchester Top Team’s Ibrahim Al-Faqih Hassan (4-1), while the undefeated Dagestani prospect Khasan Magomedsharipov (8-0) goes toe-to-toe with Wales’ Martin McDonough (12-6).
The lightweight division showcases Normandy, France’s Davy Gallon (21-8-2, 1 NC) taking on Berlin, Germany’s Attila Korkmaz (13-7).
A heavyweight collision between Russia’s Sergei Bilostennyi (10-3) and Germany’s Kasim Aras (7-2) adds to the explosive lineup.
Bellator 299 promises an unforgettable evening of MMA action featuring the sport’s finest talents. With the potential for explosive knockouts, technical submissions, and intense battles, fans are in for a treat.
Tickets for Bellator 299 are available now and can be purchased through the official Bellator and Ticketmaster websites or at the 3Arena box office.
For the latest updates and news, visit bellator.com or follow @BELLATORMMA on social media.
Event Details: Bellator 299: Eblen vs. Edwards
Main Card:
Date: Saturday, September 23
Time: 9 p.m. IST / 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT
Location: 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
Main Card Bouts:
Middleweight World Championship: Johnny Eblen (13-0) vs. Fabian Edwards (12-2)
Featherweight Bout: Aaron Pico (11-4) vs. Pedro Carvalho (13-7)
Featherweight Bout: Sinead Kavanagh (9-5) vs. Sara Collins (4-0)
Featherweight Bout: Mads Burnell (17-5) vs. Daniel Weichel (42-14)
Welterweight Bout: Sabah Homasi (17-11) vs. Levan Chokheli (12-2, 1 NC)
And more…
Preliminary Card:
Date: Saturday, September 23
Time: 4 p.m. IST / 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT
Streaming: Bellator MMA YouTube and Pluto TV channels (US), BBC iPlayer (UK), Virgin Media Sport (IRE)
Preliminary Card Bouts:
Lightweight Bout: Peter Queally (13-8-1) vs. Daniele Miceli (10-5)
Lightweight Bout: Mansour Barnaoui (20-5) vs. Jay-Jay Wilson (9-1)
Middleweight Bout: Gregory Babene (22-11, 1 NC) vs. Charlie Ward (10-6)
Bantamweight Bout: Ciaran Clarke (7-0) vs. Przemysław Górny (5-3)
Welterweight Bout: Luca Poclit (9-1) vs. Roman Faraldo (8-1)
Featherweight Bout: Khasan Magomedsharipov (8-0) vs. Martin McDonough (12-6)
Featherweight Bout: Darragh Kelly (3-0) vs. Jelle Zeegers (2-2)
Featherweight Bout: Brian Moore (16-9) vs. Otto Rodrigues (13-1)
Lightweight Bout: Davy Gallon (21-8-2, 1 NC) vs. Attila Korkmaz (13-7)
Featherweight Bout: Asael Adjoudj (6-1) vs. Ibrahim Al-Faqih Hassan (4-1)
Featherweight Bout: Kenny Mokhonoana (5-0) vs. Josh O’Connor (4-0)
Light Heavyweight Bout: Luke Trainer (7-1) vs. Laurynas Urbonavicius (14-1)
Bellator MMA is a mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in the United States. It was founded in 2008 by Bjorn Rebney, and its first event was held in April 2009. Bellator is known for its tournament-based format, in which fighters compete in a bracket-style tournament to determine the top challenger for the champion in each weight class.
The first Bellator event was held in April 2009, and featured a tournament in the light heavyweight division. The tournament was won by Travis Wiuff, who defeated Sam Hoger in the finals to become the first Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion.
In 2010, Bellator introduced tournaments in the welterweight, middleweight, and lightweight divisions. The first champions in these divisions were Lyman Good, Alexander Shlemenko, and Eddie Alvarez, respectively.
In 2011, Bellator introduced a tournament in the bantamweight division and crowned their first bantamweight champion in Zack Makovsky.
In 2012, Bellator introduced a tournament in the featherweight division and crowned their first featherweight champion in Pat Curran.
In 2013, Bellator held its first pay-per-view event, which featured a lightweight title fight between Michael Chandler and Eddie Alvarez. Alvarez retained his title by split decision.
In 2014, Bellator introduced a tournament in the flyweight division and crowned their first flyweight champion in Joe Warren.
In 2015, Bellator introduced a tournament in the featherweight division and crowned their first featherweight champion in Daniel Straus.
In 2016, Bellator introduced a tournament in the women’s featherweight division and crowned their first women’s featherweight champion in Julia Budd.
In 2017, Bellator introduced a tournament in the women’s flyweight division and crowned their first women’s flyweight champion in Ilima-Lei Macfarlane.
In 2018, Bellator introduced a tournament in the welterweight division and crowned their first welterweight champion in Rory MacDonald
In 2019, Bellator introduced a tournament in the Light Heavyweight division and crowned their first Light Heavyweight champion in Vadim Nemkov.
In 2020, Bellator introduced a tournament in the Heavyweight division and crowned their first Heavyweight champion in Ryan Bader.
In 2021, Bellator introduced a tournament in the Featherweight Grand Prix and the current champion is Patricio Freire.
Mixed martial arts, or MMA, has come a long way since its early days as a no-holds-barred spectacle. In the 1990s, the sport was widely criticized for its lack of rules and brutal nature. But over the past two decades, MMA has evolved into a highly regulated and respected sport, with strict rules and safety measures in place.
One of the main drivers of this evolution has been the creation of sanctioned organizations, such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Bellator MMA. These organizations have implemented a wide range of rules and regulations to ensure the safety of fighters, such as weight classes, time limits, and a ban on certain types of strikes. They have also established medical protocols to ensure that fighters are healthy and fit to compete.
In addition to these changes, MMA has also seen a significant increase in the level of skill and athleticism of its fighters. The early days of MMA were characterized by a heavy emphasis on striking, with little focus on grappling or submission techniques. However, as the sport has evolved, fighters have become more well-rounded, with many excelling in multiple disciplines such as boxing, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. This has led to a more dynamic and exciting sport, with fighters able to blend striking and grappling seamlessly.
Another key aspect of MMA’s evolution has been the increasing popularity of the sport. Today, MMA is one of the most widely watched and followed sports in the world, with millions of fans tuning in to watch live events and follow the careers of top fighters. This has led to increased investment in the sport, with major sports networks and sponsors investing heavily in MMA promotions and events.
As MMA continues to evolve, it is clear that the sport is here to stay. With strict rules and safety measures in place, highly skilled and athletic fighters, and a passionate fanbase, MMA has become one of the most exciting and dynamic sports in the world.
In conclusion, MMA has come a long way since its early days as a brutal spectacle. Today, it is a highly regulated and respected sport, with strict rules and safety measures in place, and a growing fanbase. As MMA continues to evolve, it will only become more exciting and dynamic, solidifying its place as one of the top sports in the world.
For the first fight of 2023, under the UFC promotion, Priscila Cachoeira (12-4-0) is looking to push her winning streak to three, against a game opponent in Sijara Eubanks (7-7-0) who is looking to find a win after over a year away from the competition. Don’t let Sijara’s record fool you, she has fought the who’s who of the Bantamweight and Flyweight divisions including Katlyn Chookagian, Aspen Ladd, Lauren Murphy, and Roxanne Modafferi.
Writer’s pick: Priscila Cachoeira by UD.
Jimmy Flick vs. Charles Johnson
Flyweight Bout
The second bout on the prelims is a Flyweight bout between two former LFA Flyweight champions, Jimmy “THE BRICK” Flick (16-5-0) and Charles “INNERG” Johnson (12-3-0). This fight has a massive contrast of career standings as Jimmy hasn’t competed in over two years. Before his inactivity, he was on a four-fight win streak, with all by way of submission in 2020. On the other hand, Charles won his most recent bout less than two months ago on November 19th, 2022.
Writer’s pick: Jimmy Flick by submission (Rd 2). UPSET ALERT
Daniel Argueta vs. Isaac Dulgarian
Featherweight Bout
The next matchup on the prelims is between two prospective featherweights. Daniel Argueta (8-1-0) will be looking to bounce back from his UFC debut loss to Damon Jackson 6 months ago. Isaac Dulgarian (5-0-0) is undefeated with all of his professional wins coming by first-round finish, at 26 he is a hot prospect and will be making his much anticipated UFC debut.
Writer’s pick: Isaac Dulgarian by TKO (Rd 1).
UPDATE: UFC confirmed Isaac Dulgarian is out of his UFc debut fight agaisnt Daniel Argueta due to an injury. Undefeated and newly signed, Nick Aguirre, will replace Isaac as he also makes his UFC debut.
Isaac Dulgarian posted “Sad to make this announcement, but my @ufc debut has been cancelled due to injury. Last week as I was winding down training I tore my LCL in a freak accident. Later that same day as I was going through UFC medicals the ophthalmologist spotted a hole in my retina which required laser eye surgery. It’s heartbreaking, but really just a small bump in the road for me. I’d like to apologize to @dan_the_determined. I know how much work goes into these camps and I’ve never had to withdraw from any competition. I’m going to heal up quick and would love to run it back sometime soon brother. Thank you to all my fans and friends for the continued support. I truly put everything into this camp. I was sharp as ever and ready to perform. Unfortunately, this is something beyond my control. Rehab has already begun and you will see my debut in due time!” via his Instagram account.
Allan Nascimento vs. Carlos Hernandez
Flyweight Bout
The next bout on the prelims is between the fight-game veteran, Allan Nascimento (19-6-0) versus the burning-hot Carlos Hernandez (8-1-0). Allan will be looking to prove that he belongs in the UFC and finally notch back-to-back wins in the promotion. Carlos has won every fight since his lone loss during his professional debut.
Writer’s pick: Carlos Hernandez by UD.
Javid Basharat vs. Mateus Mendonça
Bantamweight Bout
In the fifth prelim fight of the evening, Afghanistan’s undefeated fighter, Javid Basharat (13-0-0) makes his third official visit to the UFC, where he will take on another undefeated fighter in Mateus Mendonça (10-0-0). With only five decision victories between their combined records of 23-0, this fight is going to be one you will not want to miss! At just 23, Mateus will be making his UFC debut against the surging Xtreme Couture’s Javid Basharat.
Writer’s pick: Javid Basharat by TKO (Rd 3).
LOCK of the night: This fight will not go the distance.
Mateusz Rębecki vs. Nick Fiore
Lightweight Bout
In this second-last preliminary fight of the evening, Polish sensation Mateusz Rębecki (16-1-0) takes on America’s undefeated Nick Fiore (6-0-0). Mateusz is coming into this bout on a 13-fight win streak with all but two of his wins by stoppage. Nick Fiore is currently on a 10-fight win streak with eight of those wins by first-round stoppage. Both fighters are making their official UFC debut.
Writer’s pick: Mateusz Rębecki by TKO (Rd 2).
Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Claudio Ribeiro
Middleweight Bout
In the featured prelim of the night, Abdul Razak Alhassan (11-5-0) takes on Claudio Ribeiro (10-2-0) in a Middleweight showdown. After winning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series via a 25-second KO of Iván Valenzuela in 2022, Claudio Ribeiro will make his official UFC debut against the UFC vet, Abdul Razak Alhassan, with 10 previous fights in the promotion against top-tier talents such as Joaquin Buckley, Alessio Di Chirico, Niko Price, and Khaos Williams, there is no easy favorite here.
Writer’s pick: Claudio Ribeiro by UD.
Credit: UFC
Main Card (ESPN+)
Umar Nurmagomedov (#11) vs. Raoni Barcelos
Bantamweight Bout
In the opening fight of the main card, the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov (15-0-0) takes on the crafty UFC veteran Raoni Barcelos (17-3-0). Umar, with only three UFC fights under his belt is a heavy favorite in this matchup, Umar is nearly a decade younger than Raoni. But don’t count Raoni out just yet, Raoni has been to the scorecards five times in his eight fights in the UFC, and has won six of those fights, with a notable UD most recently over Trevin Jones.
Writer’s pick: Umar Nurmagomedov by UD.
Ketlen Vieira (#2) vs. Raquel Pennington (#5)
Bantamweight Bout
In the next fight on the main card, Brazil’s Ketlen Vieira (13-2-0) takes on USA’s Raquel Pennington (14-8-0) in a bantamweight showdown. With a possible shot at the title with a good performance, both women are looking to make a statement in this bout. Second-ranked Ketlen has notched back-to-back wins over Miesha Tate and Holly Holm and is gunning for gold in her 10th scheduled UFC fight. Equally motivated, fifth-ranked Raquel Pennington, is coming off four consecutive wins over the likes of Aspen Ladd (UD), Macy Chiasson (Guillotine), Pannie Kianzad, and Marion Reneau. This is anyone’s fight!
Writer’s pick: Ketlen Vieira by UD.
Punahele Soriano vs. Roman Kopylov
Middleweight Bout
In our third bout on the main card, we have Punahele Soriano (9-2-0) takes on Roman Kopylov (9-2-0) in the middleweight division. Both fighters have noticeably similar records with nine wins and two losses, with both fighters having won their last fight and both fighters suffering defeat twice consecutively in their second to third last fights. This fight will likely play as a crossroads for either fighter. Don’t blink in this one!
Writer’s pick: Punahele Soriano by TKO (Rd 2).
Dan Ige (#13) vs. Damon Jackson
Featherweight Bout
In the co-main event, Dan Ige (15-6-0) takes on the formidable Damon Jackson (22-4-1) in a featherweight matchup. Both Dan Ige and Damon Jackson are veterans of the UFC. Ige is looking to break a 3 fight-losing streak (All UDs) and bounce back into his winning ways. Jackson on the other hand is looking to extend his wins to five consecutively, with his most notable recent win over Pat Sabatini in just over a minute of the first round in September 2022.
Writer’s pick: Damon Jackson by TKO (Rd 3).
Nassourdine Imavov (#12) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (#13)
Middleweight Bout – Five Rounds
In the main event of #UFCVegas67 the Dagestan-born, 12th-ranked Nassourdine Imavov (12-3-0) takes on the Mexican pride’s, 13th-ranked Kelvin Gastelum (17-8-0) in a five-round middleweight bout. Although Gastelum has just one win in his last five appearances, he should never be counted out; Gastelum has fought the best of the best of the middleweight division, from Michael Bisping, Darren Till, Robert Whittaker, and even a shot at the interim belt against Israel Adesanya, Gastelum has not taken an easy fight yet. On the other side, you have a young and hungry, six-foot-three, 26-year-old finishing machine in Nassourdine Imavov. Nassouridine is coming into this bout on a three-fight win streak over the likes of Joaquin Buckley, Edmen Shahbazyan, and Ian Heinisch.
Writer’s pick: Nassourdine Imavov by TKO (Rd 4).
UPDATE: UFC confirmed Kelvin Gastelum is out due to a mouth injury. 7th ranked Sean Strickland will replace him in the main event against 12th ranked Nassourdine Imavov.
It’s been a long wait but the time has finally come for the highly anticipated UFC 282. With the light heavyweight championship set to be contested and some exciting matchups on the card, this is sure to be an event to remember. Let’s take a look at the fights in more detail.
Jan Blachowicz Vs Magomed Ankalaev
The main event of UFC 282 is a matchup between two of the top contenders in the light heavyweight division. Jan Blachowicz is ranked 3rd and is looking to make a statement in this fight. On the other side is Magomed Ankalaev, who is looking to prove that he is the rightful holder of the title.
This is sure to be a closely contested matchup. Both fighters are well-rounded and have shown that they can win fights in a variety of ways. Blachowicz is known for his powerful striking and ability to take the fight to the ground. He is also very good at defending submissions and has a good chin. Ankalaev is a master of the clinch and has a good takedown defence. He also has a good striking game and is not afraid to mix it up. Ankalaev is a strong favourite at -340 with Blachowicz coming in as the underdog at +280.
Both fighters have a good chance of winning this matchup. The stakes are high and the winner of this fight will be the undisputed interim light heavyweight champion. It’s sure to be an exciting fight and one that will be remembered for a long time.
Paddy Pimblett Vs Jared Gordon
The co-main event of UFC 282 is an exciting matchup between two of the top featherweights in the world. Paddy Pimblett is looking to make a statement in this fight. On the other side is Jared Gordon, eager to put a stop to the hype that is Paddy Pimblett.
Paddy Pimblett is known as “Paddy the Baddy” due to his friendly and outgoing attitude. He is also a very talented fighter and is one of the most aggressive lightweights in the UFC. He is known for his powerful strikes and his ability to finish fights with a variety of submissions. Gordon is also a very aggressive fighter and is always looking for the finish. He is known for his strong takedown defence and his ability to control the pace of the fight.
This is sure to be an exciting fight and one that will be remembered for a long time. Both fighters have a good chance of winning this matchup and the stakes are high. It’s sure to be an exciting fight and one that fans won’t want to miss.
Santiago Ponzinibbio Vs Alex Morono
The third fight on the card is a catchweight matchup between Santiago Ponzinibbio and Alex Morono. Ponzinibbio is looking to make a statement in this fight and prove that he is still one of the top fighters in the division. Morono is looking to make a name for himself and prove that he has what it takes to become champion.
Ponzinibbio is a well-rounded fighter who is known for his powerful striking, fan-friendly style and ability to control the pace of the fight. He also has a good chin and is not afraid to mix it up. Morono is a technical striker and is known for his ability to finish fights with a variety of submissions. He also has strong takedown defence and is always looking for the finish.
This is sure to be a closely contested matchup and the winner will be the one who can control the pace of the fight. Both fighters have a good chance of winning this fight and the stakes are high. It’s sure to be an exciting fight and one that fans won’t want to miss.
Darren Till Vs Dricus Du Plessis
The fourth fight from the top is a middleweight matchup between Darren Till and Dricus Du Plessis. Till is looking to make a statement in this fight and prove that he is still one of the top fighters in the division. Du Plessis is looking to make a name for himself and prove that he is the rightful challenger for the title.
Till is a powerful striker who has a good chin and is not afraid to mix it up. He is also good at controlling the pace of the fight and is always looking for the finish. Du Plessis is a master of the clinch and is known for his strong takedown defence. He also has a good striking game and is always looking for the finish.
This is sure to be a closely contested matchup and the winner will be the one who can control the pace of the fight. Both fighters have a good chance of winning this fight and the stakes are high. It’s sure to be an exciting fight and one that fans won’t want to miss.
The stakes are high for UFC 282 and the event promises to be an exciting one. With four intriguing matchups, this is sure to be an event to remember. Don’t miss out on the action and make sure to tune in for UFC 282. Get ready to witness the best action from the world of MMA at UFC 282
Sometimes as a UFC fan, you get this feeling in your chest before a special fight card. A buzzing electricity that shoots through you as you prepare to watch. Every once in a while, a pay per view comes along that can really shake up multiple divisions at once. UFC 281 has all the Hallmark signs of a great card.
The main card is kicked off by veteran warrior Dan “The Hangman” Hooker taking on Claudio Puelles. Even though Dan Hooker is on a losing skid, he always puts on good fights. One way or another it is likely to be a violent affair.
The next fight up is legend Frankie Edgar taking on Chris Gutierrez in a highly anticipated bout. Gutierrez is coming off of a 3 fight win streak and Frankie Edgar is coming off two back to back KO losses. This could very well be Frankie’s last fight in the UFC.
Next fight up on the card is a fight that has all of the potential to be Fight Of The Night. Fan favorites Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler go to war in a lightweight showdown that promises fans beautiful violence, however long it ends up lasting. The two warriors are both known for their crisp striking and their tendency to put on bloody wars that end in spectacular fashion. Whoever wins this one is clearly pretty close to another title shot.
Next up is the Co-Main Event. Champion Carla Esparza makes her first title defense against former champion Weili Zhang. Zhang is known for her incredible technique and for being an exciting fighter to watch. Esparza shocked the world when she won the title, and she is looking to do it again in her first defense.
Of course, the Main Event is the fight everyone is buzzing about. The reigning champion Israel Adesanya takes on Alex Pereira. For anyone not familiar, Alex is the only UFC challenger that Izzy has ever faced who holds a KO victory over him in another combat sport. This exciting fight promises action and the potential to completely shake up the division. Make sure to catch the PPV on 11/12 at 10pm EST!
