As the Ultimate Fighting Championship continues to adapt to the Covid-19 pandemic, Dana White and co. have opted for a ‘The show must go on’ approach and it has since worked out admirably.
With three successful events in the bag and an interim title belt changing hands, a new venue and location will be the biggest test post UFC 249 albeit in the relative safety of the promotion's own complex.
As the UFC continue to ramp up testing and operate under unprecedented circumstances this Las Vegas gamble is one that could have multiple winners.
Highlighted Prelim bout -Chookagin v Shevchenko
Despite not having a full roster of talent available to the promotion – the matchmakers have been able to hold an event showcasing former headliners now on the preliminary stage.
While not a rematch the narrative behind this affair make it one of the most interesting contests on the card.
Katlyn Chookagin, whose last fight was against current flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, will now fair off against the champ’s older sister – Antonina.
Both ranked fighters in the 125lbs division but their interesting match up is one with interesting consequences for both competitors.
Fresh off a loss in February of this year Chookagin suffered her first stoppage as a fighter and despite just a two fight win streak earning her a shot at the title, she cannot afford a loss so soon after to stay within the mix.
However, A. Shevchenko has not fought since August 2019 in a winning effort over Lucie Pudilova who is currently on a four-fight losing streak and lost to Roxanne Modefferi in April 2019 via Unanimous Decision.
Both competitors boast impressive backgrounds with Chookagin starting her professional journey in 2014 aged 25-years-old and losing just three times all in the UFC to Liz Carmouche, Jessica Eye and the younger sister of her next opponent.
Shevchenko first debuted in April 2002 as a 17-year-old but competed just three times and subsequently taking a hiatus until 2017. She narrowed her sporting focus losing just one of her 40 kickboxing bouts and recording nearly 40 wins in Muay Thai to just a handful of losses.
Prediction: Both women like to keep the fight standing with just one submission in 25 of their professional outings. Despite gaining huge experience in her first title appearance Chookagin suffered heavy damage but can pick off Shevchenko’s open style of fighting. Expecting a decision win for Chookagin.
Dern v Cifers
An interesting pairing between the two 27-year-olds who seemingly have their best years ahead of them – both fresh from losses and a unique pairing of offences.
Mackenzie Dern took a hiatus from the MMA world in 2019 to start her family and gave birth in June of the same year – her break was short lived as she fought just four months later in her first losing effort to Amanada Ribas.
Hannah Cifers suffered a stoppage loss to Angela Hill back in January and has enjoyed a mixed bag of results in the UFC which currently stands at 2-2, a win over her Fight Night foe would propel her back into ranking consideration.
Dern has an impressive resume, as a former World no.1 in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu showcasing her ground work as something Cifers would be wise to avoid.
Cifers on the other hand has achieved six Knockouts or TKOs in her last nine bouts highlighting where she would be most comfortable in the exchanges.
Prediction: Dern will have learnt a lot in her loss to Ribas she will have to take the fight to the ground for much of the fight and with Cifers very one dimensional in that sense, expect a Dern submission or unanimous victory.
Roberts v Weaver
This fight in the lightweight division shows just how difficult it is to be a 155lbs fighter in today’s Martial Arts world.
Roosevelt Roberts was originally scheduled to face Matt Frevola in April however the Covid-19 pandemic scuppered plans and a new opponent in Brok Weaver was found at a later date.
The former has been contracted to the UFC since being a standout former on Dana White’s the contender series back in 2018 and has amassed a 9-1 record with his last fight being a win over Alexander Yakovlev in November 2019.
Weaver has a similar story to his upcoming opponent after appearing on the same show in 2019 in a winning effort – however his record in the UFC is less glamorous due to his only win coming via illegal knee to Rodrigo Vargas in February of this year.
Both competitors have an impressive record although by record despite Weaver having more experience than Roberts – his foe’s game seems to be much more well-rounded. Weaver weighed in over the weight limit (157.5) and he will forfeit 20% of his purse; the fight is still on.
Prediction: Despite submissions and TKO’s in both fighter’s history – Roberts’ ability to keep a fight going to the very end as shown in his last three fights may be enough to swing it in his favour for a decision win.
Quarantillo v Carlyle
Another standout in Dana White’s contender series Billy Quarantillo will be hoping to improve his record on the main stage with a second win in the UFC.
Spike Carlyle will be a stiff opponent in this catchweight 150lbs bout; the opportunity was thrown to Quarantillo by chance when his opponent was concerned about making weight during these unprecedented times.
Both fighters have impressive records in their professional career however with five straight wins and a size advantage heading into the octagon – expect a TKO victory for Carlyle.
Ivanov v Sakai
It has become fashionable for heavyweights to co main many UFC cards and this Fight Night affair is no different however the size of the two fighters will be one thing to consider.
Blagoy Ivanov last fought in a narrow loss to Derrick Lewis which many believed he won in November 2019 while Augusto Sakai is currently riding a five-fight win streak with a victory over Andrei Arlovski along the way.
Both men are tough competitors with Ivanov a veteran sambo wrestler with a victory over Fedor Emelianenko, who despite being under 6ft has easily taken down much larger opponents in the past.
Prediction: Sakai is a gifted striker with just one loss in his 16 professional fights – the contest will be decided by if Ivanov can take down his opponent and keep him there, but with Sakai keen to climb up the rankings he may be too much to handle.
Woodley v Burns
The aura of Tyron Woodley was one that divided journalists and martial arts fans, some called him a true champion while others criticised his work schedule – however you view him he was a UFC Welterweight champion for over 900 days.
While his ability was never questioned, his fighting spirit is put to the test against a man currently on a three-fight demolition job in the 170lbs division – this could be make or break for the legacy of both main eventers.
Prior to his title loss to current champ Kamaru Usman, Woodley avoided the taste of defeat in over 1600 days tearing through the likes of Robbie Lawler, Stephen Thompson and Darren Till showing his full range of martial arts skill to silence the doubters.
Burns has finally found his home in the UFC after several years in the lightweight division, his recent run has saw him put down both Gunnar Nelson and Demian Maia with the latter a TKO victory.
Both fighters are exceptional grapplers with the former champion previously a two-time All American while his Brazilian counterpart achieved a gold medal in Jiu-Jitsu in 2011 – however he has recorded just one submission win in his last nine bouts.
Round up: Both men have much at stake in such a packed division with sharks swirling around the uncertainty of Usman’s dance partner come the summer. A win against a ranked opponent could catapult either of these two men into title talk with this likely the last chance saloon for 38-year-old Woodley. Burns however, at just 33 is entering his peak and appears a different fighter to that who lost to Dan Hooker in 2018.
Prediction: Many have doubted him despite his prestigious record and while others may point to his previous appearance as a signal to his lack of mental fortitude – Woodley would not be stepping back into the octagon if he did not have a point to prove – predicting a Woodley win via TKO.
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