Final Combating Championship (UFC) returns to its APEX facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, this weekend (Sat., March 16, 2024) for its newest “Struggle Evening”-themed occasion, which sees struggling Heavyweight, Tai Tuivasa, look to snap a three-fight dropping streak in opposition to Marcin Tybura within the ESPN+-streamed essential occasion. UFC Vegas 88’s co-feature pits Bryan Battle vs. Ange Loosa, whereas Christian Rodriguez strikes to 145 kilos after a pair of blown weight cuts to face undefeated prospect, Isaac Dulgarian.
Three UFC Vegas 88 “Prelims” undercard bouts stay (checkout the primary batch right here). We could take a look?
155 lbs.: Natan Levy vs. Mike Davis
Natan Levy (8-1) capped off an ideal (6-0) skilled begin by dominating Shaheen Santana on Contender Collection to earn a UFC contract. Although “Deadly” fell to Rafa Garcia in his Octagon debut, he’s since bounced again with wins over fellow Contender Collection veterans Mike Breeden and Genaro Valdez.
This marks his first bout in 15 months.
Lower than one yr after falling to Sodiq Yusuff on Contender Collection, Mike Davis (10-2) stepped up on quick discover to battle Gilbert Burns within the Octagon, solely to undergo a second spherical submission loss to “Durinho” (watch highlights). He has since amassed three wins prior to now 5 years, the newest of them a choice over Viacheslav Borshchev in Oct. 2022.
Seven of his eight skilled finishes have come by way of knockout.
Davis’ inactivity and occasional tendency to take his foot off the fuel are worrying, however I can’t see him dropping to “Deadly.” Levy is lower than the sum of his components — somebody together with his wrestling chops and versatile kicking recreation shouldn’t be dropping rounds to bottom-feeders like Breeden and Valdez. In opposition to a vicious striker like Davis — who additionally boasts the takedown expertise to recreate Levy’s loss to Garcia — he’s quick on choices.
As long as Davis is firing on all cylinders and didn’t decide up some horrific unreported harm throughout his stint on the sidelines, he’s higher than Levy wherever the battle goes. Ultimately, anticipate one-way site visitors en path to a sweep on the scorecards.
Prediction: Davis def. Levy by way of unanimous choice
135 lbs.: Josiane Nunes vs. Chelsea Chandler
Undeterred by a loss to Taila Santos in her second skilled bout, Josiane Nunes (10-1) rode a six-fight win streak into her UFC debut and promptly made it seven with a primary spherical knockout of Bea Malecki (see it). Her two fights since have seen her take dwelling choice wins over Ramona Pascual and Zarah Fairn.
“Josi” fights for the primary time in 14 months.
Chelsea Chandler (5-2) adopted her 4-1 stint in Legacy Combating Alliance (LFA) by mauling Julija Stoliarenko in her 2022 UFC debut. Then got here Norma Dumont, who out-classed Chandler en path to a unanimous choice win.
She stands six inches taller than Nunes at 5’8.”
The most important query for me is whether or not Chandler can really juice herself right down to 135 kilos. She didn’t appear to be carrying a lot further weight 10 kilos north — and as restricted as Nunes is — Chandler doesn’t wish to take care of that overhand left whereas compromised.
If she pulls off the lower, although, it must be easy crusing. Nunes is an especially one-dimensional slugger who benefitted from going through a number of the worst UFC fighters of the trendy period. Chandler’s measurement, energy and cruel physique assault give her a noteworthy edge on the ft and her ground-and-pound will spoil Nunes’ day if and when she will get on prime. Count on her to out-bully the bully, in the end muscling Nunes to the mat and raining down punches for her second UFC end.
Prediction: Chandler by way of second spherical technical knockout
125 lbs.: Jafel Filho vs. Ode Osbourne
Jafel Filho (15-3) knocked out unbeaten Roybert Echeverria on Contender Collection to earn a UFC debut in opposition to Muhammed Mokaev, which noticed Filho severely harm Mokaev’s knee, however in the end succumb to a comeback submission (watch it). “Pastor” then survived an opening-minute catastrophe to choke out Daniel Barez 4 months later and up his latest document to 6-1.
His skilled finishes are cut up 9:5 between submissions and knockouts.
Ode Osbourne (12-6) punched his UFC ticket with a first-round armbar of Armando Villareal on Contender Collection, solely to drop two of his first three within the cage. He acquired again on monitor with a 3-1 run, however succumbed to Asu Almabayev’s grappling assault his final outing.
He’ll get pleasure from a 4.5-inch attain benefit.
I strive to not get reductive in my evaluation, however Osbourne’s full lack of ability to take care of Almabayev’s floor recreation has me questioning his possibilities in opposition to a top-notch Brazilian jiu-jitsu artist like Filho. Although Osbourne has the sting on the ft, Filho confirmed outstanding resilience in opposition to Daniel Barez’s early blitz, that means “The Jamaican Sensation” is unlikely to place him down earlier than “Pastor” wraps him up and places him by the wringer.
Osbourne has by no means fairly managed to prepare his spectacular bodily attributes and grab-bag of expertise into constant success. Filho’s extra targeted strategy figures to pay dividends as he takes down Osbourne within the opening minutes and works him over till Osbourne offers up his neck.
Prediction: Filho by way of first spherical submission
I imply, the carriage needed to flip again right into a pumpkin after UFC 299 final weekend, however the pumpkin didn’t must be rotten. See you Saturday, Maniacs.
Present Prediction File for 2024: 38-17
LIVE! Stream UFC Vegas 88 On ESPN+
HEAVYWEIGHT HOEDOWN! Final Combating Championship (UFC) returns to its APEX venue in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sat., March 16, 2024, with a titanic tilt between Australian energy puncher and grasp of the Shoey, Tai Tuivasa (14-6), and longtime 265-pound keeper of gates, Marcin Tybura (24-8), throughout 5 rounds of heavyweight motion. In UFC Vegas 88’s ESPN+-streamed co-main occasion, Tar Heel “Butcher” Bryan Battle (10-2) appears to win his third straight on the expense of Congo “Ninja” Ange Loosa (10-3) in a high-stakes Welterweight scrap.
Don’t miss a single second of face-punching motion!
Do not forget that MMAmania.com will ship LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow protection of your entire UFC Vegas 88 battle card proper right here, beginning with the ESPN+ “Prelims” matches, that are scheduled to start at 4 p.m. ET, then the remaining essential card steadiness (additionally on ESPN+) at 7 p.m. ET.
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