UFC 302 is definitely the highlight event of the weekend, but there are also some great prospects in action in some local promotions. With the Contender Series starting up in August, I have no doubt that the UFC matchmakers will be keeping a close eye on some key match ups.
XFC: Detroit Grand Prix 2
Xtreme Fighting Championships is not a promotion that has been on my radar, but this event has definitely piqued my interest. The card features former UFC, Bellator, PFL, and Contender Series fighters from top to bottom. The card takes place on Friday 31st May, at 07:00 PM ET in Detroit Michigan. If you are in the area this would be an excellent show to attend. Otherwise, the show can be watched on Triller TV PPV for $12.99.
PEARL GONZALEZ (11-5) vs. RAINN GUERRERO (5-2) – Women's Bantamweight
Since being released by the UFC in 2017, Pearl Gonzalez has competed in grappling, boxing, and bare knuckle boxing. She recently returned to MMA after a hiatus and will be fighting Rainn Guerrero who was on the Contender Series last year. Guerrero was submitted by Dione Barbosa in round 1, and this is her first fight since. She is mostly a striker and her grappling was exposed. It’s hard to pick her in this fight as Gonzalez is a solid veteran who has been staying active competing in combat sports. I think Gonzalez will look to grapple and will find a finish.
RAUSH MANFIO (17-5) vs. DAN MORET (15-8) – Lightweight
Raush Manfio was released by the PFL last year after his loss to Natan Schulte. Schulte and Manfio are close friends but due to the tournament matchmaking they had to fight each other. The fight was terrible as neither wanted to engage and has even been flagged by Tapology for not being hard-fought. Manfio did find a lot of success in the PFL, winning the million dollar tournament in 2021 by defeating current UFC fighter Loik Radzhabov. I’m sure he will be looking to earn his way back into a big promotion. A good start would be by getting a win over former UFC and Bellator fighter Dan Moret. Moret is a talented grappler who found mixed success in Bellator, winning his debut against the very talented Goiti Yamauchi but lost his next two fights after that. Out of the two I think Manfio is the one to watch. He has proven to hang with elite competition recently and getting a finish over a veteran like Dan Moret would increase his chances of resigning with PFL/Bellator or finding a big fight elsewhere. I like Manfio’s striking and if he fights aggressively he could find a finish. I’m predicting Manfio to win by KO.
JAMAHL TATUM (5-0) vs. ZAC PAUGA (6-3) – Heavyweight
Dana White is always looking for heavyweights and the UFC might have another one on their roster if Jamahl Tatum defeats Zc Pauga. Pauga fought his way to the finals of The Ultimate Fighter: Season 30 and earned a contract despite losing to Mohammed Usman. After that fight he moved down to light heavyweight but a two fight losing streak resulted in his getting released. Tatum is a big heavyweight wrestler who will be the bigger fighter in the cage. Pauga has proven to be a tricky striker for most heavyweights to deal with so it will be interesting to see if he can defeat a much faster opponent. I am going to pick Pauga to win this fight by decision as he is very fast for a heavyweight and should be able to handle Jamahl's dangerous first round. If Jamahl Tatum were to win I hope we see him in the Contender Series.
DEANNA BENNETT (13-8-1) vs. VIVIANE PEREIRA (15-3) – Women’s Flyweight
DeAnna Bennett was one of the fighters PFL released after acquiring Bellator. An interesting choice as Bennt just fought for a title against Liz Carmouche in Bellator only a year ago. Viviane Pereira signed to the UFC when she was 11-0, but went 2-3 in the promotion before getting released. This was nearly 6 years ago and she has only fought twice since, one of those fights being at atomweight (105 lbs). DeAnna Bennett is a big flyweight and will have a significant size advantage over Pereira. I do think she can use this as she is a decent wrestler with strong control. I’m going to predict Bennett to win by decision and I’m interested to see where she goes from here as she is clearly still an international level fighter, but she is nearly 40 years old.
KENNETH CROSS (13-4) vs. EMILIO CHAVEZ (13-11) – Lightweight
Kenneth Cross was a prospect with a lot of hype behind him. He won on the Contender Series in 2020, but then took some time away from the sport after 2021. Belaltor signed him but unfortunately he lost his debut to Killys Mota. He has since been released and with a win I hope to see him in the Contender Series again. His opponent has only fought once in six and a half years, and has been finished 7 times. I do think this is an opportunity for Cross to get a big knockout win and earn another shot at the Contender Series. He is a very fun fighter with a lot of potential.
Fierce FC 32
I highlight this event as it marks the grand return of the legend Jared Vanderaa. This card takes place on Friday 31st May, at 07:30 PM ET in West Valley City, Utah. The event can be watched on the Fierce Fighting Championship website on PPV for $30.00.
JARED VANDERAA (13-11) vs. ERIC IMAN (9-7) – Heavyweight
Our champion Jared Vanderaa fights Eric Iman to defend his FFC belt. Iman is a dangerous striker but he has been inactive recently and is nearly 46 years old. If Vanderaa can take Iman down in the first round to avoid the big power, he should be able to take over as the fight goes on. I think Vanderaa can find a finish in the second round, but who knows how many wins he needs before the UFC calls him up again.
XKO 67
XKO 67’s main event should be a banger. Former Contender Series fighter Donovan Beard fights former PFL title challenger Dilano Taylor. The event takes place in Arlington, Texas on Friday 31st May at 07:00 PM ET and can be watched on Triller TV.
DONOVAN BEARD (8-3) vs. DILANO TAYLOR (11-5) – Welterweight
Dilano Taylor fought Sadibou Sy for the PFL Championship in 2022, but lost two fights in a row after that. He wasn’t signed for the 2024 season and fought in Canada earlier this year. He is a very good striker who had a lot of very solid wins on his record before signing to the PFL. His most notable win is a first round knockout over Rory MacDonald. At 27 years old he still has plenty of time to make a run on the regional scene to earn another shot in a big promotion. Donovan Beard fought Bo Nickal on the Contender Series and has won one fight since. He has a wrestling background. I like the experience at the highest level for Taylor and I think he uses his elite striking to find a knockout.
