Petr Yan simply received again within the successful monitor, however a fellow former champion stands in the way in which of a return to the title image.
In the primary occasion of UFC Macau, Yan faces the streaking Deiveson Figueiredo. A lot has occurred since each males most not too long ago competed in title fights, with Yan solely not too long ago snapping a three-fight skid and Figueiredo making a transfer to the bantamweight division that has paid off in spades.
Yan’s dropping streak was a misleading one. He didn’t regain the bantamweight title from Aljamain Sterling of their rematch (after dropping the title to Sterling by way of disqualification), then misplaced a slim cut up determination in a thriller in opposition to Sean O’Malley, after which merely discovered himself in the way in which of future champion Merab Dvalishvili. He confirmed he nonetheless belongs among the many elite with a classic determination win over Song Yadong this previous March.
That success instantly led to this Figueiredo matchup as followers had been calling for the 2 to duel ever since Figueiredo joined the bantamweight division in December 2023. After dropping the ultimate battle of his epic tetralogy with Brandon Moreno, Figueiredo determined to freshen issues up with a change in weight courses and he’s hit the bottom working. Wins over former UFC champion Cody Garbrandt and longtime contenders Marlon Vera and Rob Font have Figueiredo in place to sneak into one other title alternative with a standout efficiency in Macau.
Elsewhere on the primary card, flyweight knockout artist Wang Cong seems to mark herself as a future challenger when she takes on Gabriella Fernandes, and Volkan Oezdemir is tasked with halting Carlos Ulberg’s six-fight win streak.
What: UFC Macau
The place: Galaxy Enviornment in Macau, China
When: Saturday, Nov. 23. The seven-fight early preliminary card begins at 3 a.m. ET on ESPN+, adopted by a six-fight predominant card that begins at 6 a.m. ET additionally on ESPN+.
(Numbers in parentheses point out standing within the MMA Fighting Global Rankings)
Petr Yan (6) vs. Deiveson Figueiredo (7)
Petr Yan is a grasp of adaptation and he advantages most from this being a five-round battle. That’s to not take something away from Deiveson Figueiredo, whose first and third fights have been instantaneous classics that went the space, however few can cling with Yan as soon as his thoughts begins making the required calculations to formulate doom for his opponents.
Not solely is Yan among the finest boxers in MMA, he at all times appears to get stronger the longer the battle goes on. It doesn’t matter what model his opponent brings to the cage (until we’re speaking Merab Dvalishvili’s smothering bulldozer model), Yan finally finds all the best angles to strike and make his opponents depressing. As soon as he will get these concentrating on lasers on lock, it’s a wrap.
Figueiredo is lots harmful in his personal proper. It hasn’t occurred but, however nobody needs to be shocked if Figueiredo turns into the primary fighter to place Yan away with strikes or pressure a faucet. “Deus Da Guerra” is a continuing risk to complete in a wide range of methods and a sizzling begin out of the gate may spell bother for Yan. Take into accout, Figueiredo has to know the way shut he’s to a title shot, so he received’t be trying to level battle right here. If he goes down, he’s taking place swinging.
I anticipate this battle to play out like a typical Yan battle, particularly with Figueirdo pushing the tempo early. Yan will climate the storm earlier than turning the tide late within the second after which placing on a placing masterclass for the ultimate quarter-hour.
Choose: Yan
Yan Xiaonan (3) vs. Tabatha Ricci (12)
The strain is on Yan Xiaonan to ship because the highest-billed Chinese language athlete on this card. She’ll have each alternative to impress in opposition to Tabatha Ricci, an aggressive fighter gentle on ending capacity.
One motive Ricci has discovered herself on the best finish of some aggressive choices is her willingness to come back ahead and always shut the area. No one goes to mistake her for prime Wanderlei Silva, however when the judges are searching for motion, it’s often Ricci offering it. So far as how efficient her offense is, nicely, mileage could differ.
Yan is much extra exact and I give her the sting in pace as nicely. The massive factor to look at is how she offers with Ricci’s takedown makes an attempt, as a result of Yan has been foiled by wrestling earlier than, together with in her title battle with Zhang Weili.
Ricci presents a problem, however not one Yan can’t overcome over three rounds.
Choose: Yan
Track Kenan vs. Muslim Salikhov
It’s tough to know what to make of Muslim Salikhov today. The 40-year-old Russian is as difficult as ever and his method is on level, however his moments of explosiveness are few and much between. It’s completely potential “King of Kung Fu” controls the vary for 3 rounds and neutralizes Song Kenan.
That’s form of a boring prediction, although. Track has proven actual flashes all through his profession with a no-nonsense, infighting model, and the occasional highlight-reel knockout. He has to make this battle soiled if he’s to get one over on Salikhov, by no means a simple out.
It’s truthful to say Salikhov is closing in on the top of his profession and whereas Track isn’t any spring rooster himself, he’s received extra within the tank ought to he handle to lure Salikhov right into a brawl. Quantity will likely be key for Track if he hopes to safe essentially the most notable win of his profession. I see Track outlasting Salikhov in a workmanlike three-round contest, a lot to the group’s delight.
Choose: Track
Wang Cong vs. Gabriella Fernandes
The reserving logic right here is obvious. Gabriella Fernandes fought with reckless abandon in her slim determination win over Carli Judice this previous June and the UFC is assuming she’ll do the identical in opposition to Wang Cong, a fighter they’re desperate to push.
It’s comprehensible. Wang has that good combination of being a recent face for UFC followers, however with the high-level expertise—together with a kickboxing win over Valentina Shevchenko—that would make her a title challenger in a single day. She did what she was purported to do in her UFC debut, scoring a fast knockout of Victoria Leonardo, and receives one other stylistically favorable opponent Saturday.
Fernandes actually is aware of methods to pour on the strain, she’s simply not notably efficient when she does it. Her penchant for upright, lunging strikes all however ensures Wang’s proper hand will discover a dwelling on Fernandes’ chin. It received’t take too a lot of these to finish the battle.
Choose: Wang
Volkan Oezdemir (11) vs. Carlos Ulberg (14)
Exterior of the primary occasion, Volkan Oezdemir vs. Carlos Ulberg is the battle I’m most intrigued by. And likewise form of dreading?
Ulberg is making all the best strikes on his solution to the highest and that is well-considered matchmaking, with Oezdemir being a one-time title challenger that may look good on Ulberg’s résumé if he can cross the check. Even within the wasteland that’s the 205-pound division, a six-fight win streak is nothing to sneeze at, neither is placing Alonzo Menifield away in 12 seconds.
However Oezdemir isn’t any stranger to drudgery and if he can drag Ulberg into deeper waters, he’ll. “No Time” has rediscovered his completion, however he’ll should watch out with the springy Ulberg. This conflict of types may go horribly mistaken, with each fighters using tentative and defensive recreation plans.
Let’s hope I’m the one which’s horribly mistaken as a result of I’ve a nagging feeling this goes to a forgettable determination, with Ulberg incomes Oezdemir’s quantity and never a lot else.
Choose: Ulberg
Zhang Mingyang vs. Ozzy Diaz
Zhang Mingyang may very well be strolling right into a lure right here.
At first look, Ozzy Diaz appears ripe for the choosing. The 34-year-old tends to surrender lots of floor to his opponents, trusting his protection and sturdiness to get him by the tough patches of a battle. In the event you’re Zhang’s crew, that’s music to your ears, as they’ll undoubtedly be trying to safe a quick end and a $50,000 bonus.
The factor about guys like Diaz is that they by no means go away as simply because it seems like they need to on paper. Diaz is well-rounded and the power of the competitors he’s confronted is significantly stronger than that of Zhang. It’d look dire for Diaz at first, however Zhang tends to drop his arms when he’s on the offensive and that opens him up for an upset.
Zhang takes Spherical 1, with Diaz displaying his resilience. When Zhang fails to place Diaz away in Spherical 2, Diaz fires up for a comeback, finishes Zhang with strikes, and places himself in line for an additional verify.
Choose: Diaz
Preliminaries
Baergeng Jieleyisi def. SuYoung You
DongHun Choi def. Kiru Sahota
Feng Xiaocan def. Shi Ming
Carlos Hernandez def. Nyamjargal Tumendemberel
Lone’er Kavanagh def. Jose Ochoa
Nikolas Motta def. Maheshate
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