We get 12 fights this week as the UFC did a late addition of John Castaneda and Chris Gutierrez to get us a baker’s dozen. Headlined by the mega star Alex Pereira defending his title against Magomed Ankalaev. There are some very fun fights to pick from this week, with a lot of heavy handed fighters who have shown KO power in their careers.
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$9,000+ PRICE POINT
CARLOS LEAL
Leal averages over 7 significant strikes per minute, he secured 1 takedown in his UFC debut which should ideally be his game plan against Moreno who sports a 47% takedown defense. We will need a finish to pay off the salary, but he gives us more ways to win than some of the other 9k people.
CURTIS BLAYDES
Curtis comes off an interim title shot to fighting a former Steroid using making his UFC debut. We have seen time and time again the prospects coming in making their debuts getting beaten by vets, and I expect one of the top heavyweights in the world to put this newcomer in his place.
$8,000 – $8,900 PRICE POINT
DJORDEN SANTOS
Diaz kind of stinks, and although Santos is making his official debut I would side with the guy who has shown the ability to wrestle along with having good power on the feet. Diaz got clipped early last time out, and I would expect Santos to pressure him early and often.
JALIN TURNER
This one is kind of scary because Bahamondes is nasty, but Turner has faced some of the best lightweights and held his own. He blew the moicano fight looking for the walkoff KO for a bonus instead of finishing him, and had Hooker broken but couldn’t finish him. They’re both giants for the division but I think Turner ultimately has more ways to win.
Under $8,000 PRICE POINT
JUSTIN GAETHJE
He hasn’t fought since his brutal KO loss to Max at UFC 300, but the dude is always in fire fights and winning bonuses. He gets a rematch with Fiziev who takes this on short notice with Hooker breaking his hand, and now goes down to 3 rounds so I expect Gaethje to come make a statement showing he’s back and he’s been vocal about thinking he’s close to a title shot with a win here.
BRUNNO FERREIRA
He has a 5 inch height deficit but a 1 inch reach advantage, and should have the bigger power punches of the two. I don’t expect we need the judges here, and Petrosyan has lost his last 2 coming in to a Viera submission and the Magomedov double spinning back fists.
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