Are you able to consider it’s been a month since we final nestled ourselves into the comfortable confines of the UFC APEX? You most likely can and also you’re most likely grateful, however nonetheless, that hole is price noting contemplating how frequent these fan-free Las Vegas visits are.
That’s proper, we’re as much as UFC Vegas 94, which takes place Saturday and is headlined by a strawweight contenders’ bout between Amanda Lemos and Virna Jandiroba. Not solely is that this a high-level contest in one among MMA’s finest divisions, it additionally has legit title implications as champion Zhang Weili has cleared out a lot of her opposition apart from the injury-plagued Tatiana Suarez.
Sadly for Lemos, she’s included in that group as she’s just one struggle faraway from a failed bid to seize Zhang’s belt. At present No. 5 at 115 kilos within the MMA Preventing World Rankings and No. 16 on the pound-for-pound listing, Lemos has the credentials of a prime contender, however is probably going preventing simply to carry onto her spot.
Jandiroba, then again, could be a recent challenger and one with a wealth of high quality expertise. The grappling specialist has had an ideal profession, one which might be capped off properly with a UFC title struggle tacked onto the résumé.
Additionally on the primary card, South Korean featherweights Seung Woo Choi and Doo Ho Choi (no relation) are in motion in opposition to Steve Garcia and Invoice Algeo, respectively, The Final Fighter 31 light-weight winner Kurt Holobaugh fights Kaynan Kruschewsky, Cody Durden and Bruno Silva meet in a fiery flyweight conflict, and featherweights Jeong Yeong Lee and Hyder Amil kick off the ESPN portion of the present.
What: UFC Vegas 94
The place: UFC APEX in Las Vegas
When: Saturday, July 20. The five-fight preliminary card begins at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN+, adopted by a six-fight fundamental card at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+.
Amanda Lemos vs. Virna Jandiroba
Is Virna Jandiroba destined to be an also-ran?
No person ought to query that Jandiroba is likely one of the finest strawweights of her era, however till lately she’s at all times been only a step behind the easiest within the division. Amanda Lemos has already confirmed that she belongs within the higher echelon with a string of highlight-reel finishes to her identify.
To date, Jandiroba has averted being completed in her 23-fight profession and that most likely holds true by the top of tonight’s card. Lemos will do her damndest to be the primary to place Jandiroba away although. Few fighters within the 115-pound division hit more durable than Lemos and although Jandiroba has been within the octagon with some legit strikers, none of them had Lemos’ KO energy.
If this goes to the bottom, it’s Jandiroba’s sport to lose, although Lemos is harmful there as nicely. Jandiroba has so some ways to tie Lemos up, this fundamental occasion may activate a dime if Jandiroba can maintain the struggle in her world.
I don’t see Jandiroba catching a submission early, and I don’t see her outlasting Lemos over the course of a grueling 25 minutes. Lemos stifles Jandiroba’s elite jiu-jitsu for 3 rounds and finishes her with strikes in Spherical 4.
Choose: Lemos
Steve Garcia vs. Seung Woo Choi
Most of Steve Garcia’s opponents are fast to attempt to take him down and for good cause. What “Imply Machine” lacks in method, he greater than makes up for with a rock-hard chin and actually horrifying ending instincts. He ain’t right here to for scorecards, people.
Choi is extra essentially stable and due for a end the best way he’s carried out, however he has to point out that he has one other gear to shift into when he has the benefit. Because it stands, he’s content material to let his precision and athleticism get him to the road, which hasn’t at all times labored out for him particularly with regards to fighters who can take his pictures and pay him again with curiosity.
I’d add that one other downside for Choi is that he retains operating into featherweights which are troublesome to place away, Garcia maybe chief amongst them. Choi can rack up the factors all he needs, it’s not going to matter if Garcia catches him within the latter levels of the struggle.
The second spherical sometimes belongs to Garcia and I don’t see that being any totally different in opposition to Choi. Garcia by knockout.
Choose: Garcia
Kurt Holobaugh vs. Kaynan Kruschewsky
Kurt Holobaugh can beat you on the toes or on the bottom, however he’ll most likely wish to lean extra in the direction of the previous on this matchup. If the 14-year veteran will get a hankering to place his grappling up in opposition to Kaynan Kruschewsky’s, it may result in calamity.
One of the best guess for Holobaugh is to maintain this one standing. Kruschewsky has loads of uncooked energy so he would possibly take into account slugging it out with Holobaugh. Extra possible, as soon as Kruschewsky feels Holobaugh’s tempo and stress, he’ll take this to the bottom to sluggish the motion down. From there, it’s on Holobaugh to defend in opposition to submissions (he’s solely been tapped out as soon as in his profession) and work to get the struggle again to the toes.
Holobaugh’s lackluster wrestling protection was his downfall in his final struggle and might be once more if Kruschewsky can comfortably shut the gap. Search for Holobaugh to make this struggle as uncomfortable as doable for the Brazilian newcomer by placing his gritty placing expertise to make use of early and sometimes.
In a back-and-forth struggle, Holobaugh does simply sufficient to earn the choice.
Choose: Holobaugh
Cody Durden vs. Bruno Silva
Had been it not for for the truth that he’s fought simply 3 times prior to now 4 years, Bruno “Bulldog” Silva could be a legit darkish horse contender for the UFC flyweight title. If he’s to make a run, he’s received loads of work to do.
Cody Durden is not any pushover, however there are many causes to again Silva on this one. He’s higher throughout, hits more durable, and, most significantly, he’s received slick submission expertise. That’s one main vulnerability of Durden, whose three losses contained in the octagon have all come by tap-out.
The trail to victory for the bigger Durden is to return ahead and bully Silva, which is simpler mentioned than achieved provided that speeding at Bulldog is about as protected as speeding at an precise bulldog. Durden would possibly pace up his demise if he thinks he can simply stroll Silva down.
Durden’s wrestling and toughness at all times give him an opportunity, however I’m liking Silva to sting Durden on the toes and safe a club-and-sub victory.
Choose: Silva
Doo Ho Choi vs. Invoice Algeo
Ah sure, the winners of the “we couldn’t beat Kyle Nelson” sweepstakes. Catchy title.
One among these fighters will wash off that Canadian stank and I’m selecting Doo Ho Choi. “The Korean Superboy” appeared fairly good coming off of a three-plus-year layoff and now that he’s again within the swing of issues, I count on him to return to the win column in opposition to Invoice Algeo.
“Señor Perfecto” is a high quality featherweight, one which I’ve usually touted as one of many division’s extra harmful matchups. However after 4 years and 10 UFC fights, it nonetheless seems like Algeo is struggling to search out his footing with the promotion. The consistency simply isn’t there for a fighter as gifted as he’s.
Had been it not for an unlucky level deduction on account of a head butt, Choi would have seen his hand raised in February. He’ll be sharper this time round, reminding us of the babyfaced brawler that made it into the UFC Corridor of Fame alongside Cub Swanson.
I’m driving with Choi to get his first win since… 2016! Wow.
Choose: Choi
Jeong Yeong Lee vs. Hyder Amil
As unlucky because it was to lose the Brad Tavares vs. Jun Yong Park co-main occasion (condolences to the Iron Turtle Military), I’m pleased to see Jeong Yeong Lee and Hyder Amil get the promotion to the primary card right here. The featherweight division is loaded and these up-and-coming abilities deserve a spot alongside their extra skilled counterparts.
These two are each extremely match and sturdy, so count on a three-round battle if neither manages to land a telling blow early. The matchmakers are on level with this struggle, a showcase for a few prospects that might have a quantity subsequent to their identify sometime.
Lee is the trickier fighter from vary, so search for him to ascertain the gap early and poke away at an advancing Amil. He received’t be capable of maintain Amil out for lengthy although and by the halfway level of the primary spherical they’ll be slinging heavy leather-based within the heart of the octagon. I see Amil as having the heavier arms, whereas Lee has the slight edge in pace. Powerful struggle to select.
Leaning in the direction of Amil by resolution, simply going with a intestine feeling.
Choose: Amil
Preliminaries
Brian Kelleher def. Cody Gibson
Miranda Maverick def. Dione Barbosa
Trey Ogden def. Loik Radzhabov
