Petr Yan simply obtained again within the successful observe, however a fellow former champion stands in the best way of a return to the title image.
In the principle occasion of UFC Macau, Yan faces the streaking Deiveson Figueiredo. A lot has occurred since each males most just lately competed in title fights, with Yan solely just lately snapping a three-fight skid and Figueiredo making a transfer to the bantamweight division that has paid off in spades.
Yan’s shedding streak was a misleading one. He didn’t regain the bantamweight title from Aljamain Sterling of their rematch (after shedding the title to Sterling by way of disqualification), then misplaced a slim break up resolution in a thriller in opposition to Sean O’Malley, after which merely discovered himself in the best way of future champion Merab Dvalishvili. He confirmed he nonetheless belongs among the many elite with a classic resolution win over Track Yadong this previous March.
That success immediately 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 shedding the ultimate struggle of his epic tetralogy with Brandon Moreno, Figueiredo determined to freshen issues up with a change in weight lessons and he’s hit the bottom operating. 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 principle card, flyweight knockout artist Wang Cong appears to be like 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 Area 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 primary card that begins at 6 a.m. ET additionally on ESPN+.
(Numbers in parentheses point out standing within the MMA Preventing International 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 struggle. That’s to not take something away from Deiveson Figueiredo, whose first and third fights have been immediate classics that went the space, however few can dangle with Yan as soon as his thoughts begins making the mandatory calculations to formulate doom for his opponents.
Not solely is Yan among the finest boxers in MMA, he all the time appears to get stronger the longer the struggle goes on. It doesn’t matter what type his opponent brings to the cage (except we’re speaking Merab Dvalishvili’s smothering bulldozer type), Yan ultimately finds all the appropriate angles to strike and make his opponents depressing. As soon as he will get these focusing 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 stunned if Figueiredo turns into the primary fighter to place Yan away with strikes or power 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 hassle for Yan. Consider, Figueiredo has to know the way shut he’s to a title shot, so he received’t be seeking to level struggle right here. If he goes down, he’s happening swinging.
I anticipate this struggle to play out like a typical Yan struggle, 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 putting masterclass for the ultimate quarter-hour.
Decide: 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 mild on ending capacity.
One purpose Ricci has discovered herself on the appropriate finish of some aggressive selections is her willingness to come back ahead and continuously shut the area. No person 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, effectively, mileage could differ.
Yan is way extra exact and I give her the sting in velocity as effectively. The large factor to observe 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 struggle with Zhang Weili.
Ricci presents a problem, however not one Yan can’t overcome over three rounds.
Decide: Yan
Track Kenan vs. Muslim Salikhov
It’s troublesome to know what to make of Muslim Salikhov today. The 40-year-old Russian is as tough as ever and his approach is on level, however his moments of explosiveness are few and much between. It’s solely attainable “King of Kung Fu” controls the vary for 3 rounds and neutralizes Track Kenan.
That’s sort of a boring prediction, although. Track has proven actual flashes all through his profession with a no-nonsense, infighting type, and the occasional highlight-reel knockout. He has to make this struggle soiled if he’s to get one over on Salikhov, by no means a simple out.
It’s honest to say Salikhov is closing in on the tip of his profession and whereas Track is not any spring rooster himself, he’s obtained extra within the tank ought to he handle to lure Salikhov right into a brawl. Quantity shall be key for Track if he hopes to safe probably 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.
Decide: Track
Wang Cong vs. Gabriella Fernandes
The reserving logic right here is obvious. Gabriella Fernandes fought with reckless abandon in her slim resolution 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 desirous to push.
It’s comprehensible. Wang has that good combination of being a contemporary face for UFC followers, however with the high-level expertise—together with a kickboxing win over Valentina Shevchenko—that might make her a title challenger in a single day. She did what she was alleged 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 significantly 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 lots of these to finish the struggle.
Decide: Wang
Volkan Oezdemir (11) vs. Carlos Ulberg (14)
Outdoors of the principle occasion, Volkan Oezdemir vs. Carlos Ulberg is the struggle I’m most intrigued by. And likewise sort of dreading?
Ulberg is making all the appropriate strikes on his option 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 move the take a look at. 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 is not any stranger to drudgery and if he can drag Ulberg into deeper waters, he’ll. “No Time” has rediscovered his of entirety, however he’ll should watch out with the springy Ulberg. This conflict of kinds may go horribly fallacious, with each fighters using tentative and defensive recreation plans.
Let’s hope I’m the one which’s horribly fallacious as a result of I’ve a nagging feeling this goes to a forgettable resolution, with Ulberg incomes Oezdemir’s quantity and never a lot else.
Decide: Ulberg
Zhang Mingyang vs. Ozzy Diaz
Zhang Mingyang might be strolling right into a entice right here.
At first look, Ozzy Diaz appears ripe for the selecting. The 34-year-old tends to surrender a variety of floor to his opponents, trusting his protection and sturdiness to get him via the tough patches of a struggle. Should you’re Zhang’s group, that’s music to your ears, as they’ll undoubtedly be seeking 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 appears to be like 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 would look dire for Diaz at first, however Zhang tends to drop his fingers when he’s on the offensive and that opens him up for an upset.
Zhang takes Spherical 1, with Diaz exhibiting 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.
Decide: 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
Quang Le def. Xiao Lengthy
Nikolas Motta def. Maheshate
