It feels like it’s been a lifetime since UFC 265 but it’s finally fight week for the next big UFC PPV. The prelims are stacked with Dan Hooker and Marlon Moraes featuring. With an exciting main card which contains the long-awaited return of Nick Diaz in his rematch with Robbie Lawler and a main event that could produce fireworks.
Jessica Andrade vs Cynthia Calvillo – Women’s Flyweight Division
Classic striker vs jiu-jitsu fight to start off the card. The former strawweight champ comes into this bout off her convincing loss to Valentina Shevchenko back in April looking for some sort of retribution against Calvillo. Calvillo will be looking to essentially replicate what Valentina did to Jessica in April, use her size advantage to dominate in the clinch, take her down and look for a finish. Even though Valentina made it seem that Andrade had no ground game in their fight, Jessica does have some jiu-jitsu pedigree, Valentina is simply levels ahead of anyone in the division. Jessica will also work on those errors made in the title fight to prevent another loss on Saturday. I can only see one winner here. I’m going with Andrade by TKO.
Prediction: Andrade by TKO in round 3
Curtis Blaydes vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik – Heavyweight Division
Blaydes is a wrestler that comes into this bout 14-3-1 in his MMA career so far. Arguably the best wrestler in this division, his best hope in this one is to take Rozenstruik down before he puts him to sleep. We’ve seen Blaydes get finished by some heavy hitters in Ngannou and Lewis and his Surinamese opponent is another one of those. Unlike Ngannou (at the time) and Lewis, Rozenstruik is a heavy hitter with a much better fight IQ and is likely to avoid any takedowns attempted, which is making me lean towards ‘Bigi Boy’ for this fight. If Blaydes win, it’ll be by a ground and pound or decision win from dominating Rozenstruik on the mat. Yet, I’m sticking with Zinho.
Prediction: Rozenstruik by KO in round 2
Nick Diaz vs Robbie Lawler 2 – Welterweight Division
The return of the legend Nick Diaz against a former opponent in Robbie Lawler. The first time these two fought I was a child so I hadn’t seen the first fight until they announced this fight a few months back. Nevertheless, I don’t think it’s necessary to call back on the first fight because it was such a long time ago, it doesn’t really matter going into the rematch. I strongly believe the most important factor of this matchup is activeness. Robbie has been active, Nick hasn’t fought in 6 years. Yes he’s been training but ask any athlete of any sport. Just training doesn’t help improve match fitness as much as training and competing, hence why I’m picking Robbie Lawler to get his revenge after 17 years. I think Nick is tough enough to avoid the fight being stopped but in all honesty I can only see one winner here.
Prediction: Robbie Lawler by decision
Valentina Shevchenko (c) vs Lauren Murphy – Women’s Flyweight Championship
There’s not much to say on this one, Valentina is too good and I don’t believe anyone in the flyweight division can beat her. She’s better than Lauren in every department of the fight and I expect a finish.
Prediction: Shevchenko by TKO in round 3
Alex Volkanovski (c) vs Brian Ortega – Featherweight Championship
I can’t wait for the main event. Volkanovski has proven his worth by beating the ‘greatest featherweight of all time’ twice, agree with the decisions or not. However, we haven’t seen him fight someone like Ortega. Volks well roundedness makes him difficult to beat but against someone like Brian Ortega one mistake and you’re he’s got your neck or he’s snapping a limb. We’ve also seen him become a pretty underrated striker going toe to toe with the Korean Zombie just under a year ago. A lot of fans are calling this one as an easy win for Alex but I don’t see it that way. This is a tough fight to call but I’m going with Alex Volkanovski by decision. This will definitely be a fight for the ages.
Prediction: Alex Volkanovski by decision
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