It's a big week for MMA as UFC puts on what could be an exciting card in front of a crown in Denver. We also have two of the biggest regional promotions LFA and Cage Fury putting on event on UFC Fight Pass.

LFA 188: Sweeney vs. Do Nascimento

LFA 188 will be broadcast on UFC Fight Pass and starts at 10:00 PM ET on Friday 12 July.

JOHN SWEENEY (13-3) vs. RAFAEL DO NASCIMENTO (9-2) – Bantamweight Championship

I have believed that John Sweeney is deserving of a UFC opportunity for a while now and his win over Allan Begosso confirmed that for me. I do think he puts on exciting fights and has a great personality in interviews, but he isn't much of a finisher which may be why the matchmakers haven't signed him yet. Sweeney is a solid striker but has greatly improved his wrestling throughout his MMA career. In his more recent fights he has been wrestling a lot and winning his fights with top control. Although not the most fun to watch, he makes up for it with his personality on the mic. Do Nascimento is another great prospect who was actually rumored to be on the Contender Series last year. He did lose a fight early in 2023 which may have prevented him from getting the opportunity. Rafael is a finisher with power in his hands but he wins most of his fights with his grappling. I would say he has a somewhat similar skill set to Sweeney's last opponent Allan Begosso, but with more size and finish ability. I do like Sweeney a lot as a prospect and would love to see him in the UFC. He is a smart fighter and knows how to win minutes and that should lead to a decision win for Sweeney.

KASEY TANNER (6-1) vs. THIAGO BELO (9-7-1) – Bantamweight

Kasey Tanner is a prospect I believe could make an impact in the UFC as well. He fought on the Contender Series against Jean Matsumoto in a fight that did not go his way at all. Casey Tanner is huge for bantamweight and uses his wrestling to dominate his opponents with control and ground and pound. He wasn't able to use that advantage against Matsumoto and was pieced up on the feet. Thiago Belo was once on a win streak but hasn't fought very regularly recently and when he has fought he has lost. Mostly by being out grappled. Kasey Tanner does have great wrestling and I expect him to use it here and win the fight by finish. I wouldn't mind seeing Tanner fight on the Contender Series again this year but I wish he did fight sooner.

 

FURY FC 93: Esteves vs. Walker

Fury FC 93 will also be broadcast on UFC Fight Pass, starting at 06:30 PM ET on Friday 12 July.

DEVON DIXON (6-1-1) vs. TEDRICK MACKLIN (6-0) – Lightweight

This isn't the main event but I don't think there are UFC opportunities on the line in that fight. I do think there are in this one however. Tedrick Macklin is a grappler who has shown decent wrestling throughout his MMA career. He has shown great take down defense as well as offense. On the feet he only boxes and doesn't throw any kicks. He wants to get the fight down to the ground to use his slick grappling. Devon Dixon is also a solid grappler but in my opinion will be the better striker in this fight. Unlike Macklin he has a good range of strikes and will be throwing leg kicks to try nullify the offensive wrestling of Macklin. Both of these guys are big for the division but Dixon is much more lanky, whereas Macklin is very well built and is a big lightweight. I do feel like Macklin will be able to take down Dixon so this fight comes down to whether or not he can get some good offense going on the ground. He has fought decent opponents so far in his career and his grappling has looked good so I like his chances in this fight. I am going to pick Macklin to win by decision and I think whoever wins this fight will be on the Contender Series later this year.

 

Black Combat 11: Busan Landing Operation

Black Combat is a unique MMA organization in South Korea. It was only founded recently in 2022. They are unique as to my knowledge they don't broadcast their fights live but instead upload fights with post production to create a story around them. Maybe the fights are broadcast live somewhere but I watch their events on their YouTube channel BLACK COMBAT.

ROQUE MARTINEZ (18-9-2) vs. MYUNG HWAN KIM (8-1) – Heavyweight

I have interest in this fight as MMa media in Asia is claiming Kim will get a UFC contract if he wins this fight. That would make him one of the first fighters from Asia to fight in UFC's heavyweight division. I'll be honest I'm not sure if he is actually any good as he has no striking whatsoever and heavily relies on his wrestling. He doesn't have a lot of muscle and is built like a sumo wrestler. Roque is a former UFC fighter and his UFC run was very forgettable. He will be much smaller than Kim so Kim should be able to get the take downs. Honestly I don't know what to expect as I think both are going to gas out heavily if the fight reaches the second round. I'm going to pick Kim to win as he has looked dominant recently and Roque is getting older but he is very one dimensional.

EFC 115

Extreme Fighting Championship 115 takes place this weekend and starts at 09:00 AM ET on Thursday July 11th. The card will be broadcast on EFC's website which is behind a paywall.

IGEU KABESA (18-2) vs. HUMPHREY MULENGA (6-1) – Lightweight Championship

If Kabesa was to win I really hope he can get signed to any of the international promotions. He has dominated the African regional scene for years now and hasn't lost a fight since 2021. He is on a 6 fight win streak and I don't think that comes to an end now. He is a dominant grappler which will help him in this fight. Humphrey is a powerful striker and has made his career known by finishing every opponent he has fought in the first round – mostly by KO. He hasn't fought anyone with the skills or experience of Kabesa though. Kabesa should win by submission and I would like to see him step up in the future. That could be the UFC, but it could also be PFL as PFL is planning on doing a tournament in Africa soon as part of Francis Ngannou's contract.