ROUNDHOUSE MMA

Since its inception as an outlet to hold UFC events through the COVID-19 pandemic, the UFC APEX has been a staple of the Ultimate Fighting Championship in recent years. Whether you loved the no crowds, the ability to hear the corners and exactly what was going on inside the cage, or hated it, this venue has held numerous fights that have made its mark in UFC history. This weekend will be the APEX's 100th show in just a few years of activity, headlined by top flyweight contenders Alex Perez and Tatsuro Taira. The APEX has held some of the best fights in the division's history and has captured some fantastic moments.

Let's take a look at some of the best fights to take place at the UFC APEX.

## Stipe Miocic vs Francis Ngannou

To kick off the list, we have a fight that didn't last long, but it was a memorable one for the impact that it had on the sport. Francis Ngannou was coming into this fight on a five-fight first-round knockout streak, with a previous loss to Miocic in which he simply got outclassed. Miocic got the better of The Predator, and so fans anticipated a similar result their second time out. However, when the fight started, we knew we were looking at a different Ngannou. Francis was patient, picked his shots, and was able to survive the wrestling offense of Miocic. He even landed a takedown of his own to the surprise of the commentary team. Finally, to cap off a brilliant performance, Ngannou countered a blitzing Miocic with a punch that sent Miocic to the canvas and Francis followed it up with a brutal shot that left the champion out cold. It was a shocking but amazing performance by Ngannou who certainly "leveled up" to get his revenge. 

## Cory Sandhagen vs TJ Dillashaw

Another great fight that took place inside the UFC APEX, was TJ Dillashaw's return to the octagon. Following Dillashaw's failed double-champ attempt at flyweight, he was hit with a lengthy two-year suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. Dillashaw was out of the sport from 2019-2021 in which he was given top-three opponent Cory Sandhagen upon his return. This was a fight between two of the best in the division and a chance for Dillashaw to announce his return in a big way. The fight was very back and forth, with Sandhagen landing 128 significant strikes compared to Dillashaw's 110 over the course of five rounds. In the end, Dillashaw was given the win via a split decision, which many found to be controversial. 

## Kamaru Usman vs Gilbert Burns

One of the few championship title defenses we saw inside the UFC APEX, we saw Kamaru Usman defend his welterweight title against longtime teammate and friend Gilbert Burns. For the longest time, we saw Usman look virtually unbeatable, but Burns came out very aggressive and scored an early knockdown against the champion. Usman survived and made some fantastic adjustments for the remainder of the fight, utilizing his jab that caused serious problems for Burns. Usman dropped Burns in the second round, and finally broke him in the third as the referee stopped the action within the first minute of the round. The commentary reactions made this fight special, as Gilbert Burns finally made Usman look human, but the resilience of the champion proved to be the difference maker that night. 

## Deiveson Figueiredo vs Brandon Moreno I

The fight that kicked off an unforgettable rivalry between two of the greatest flyweights of all time. Figueiredo and Moreno first met back in 2020, following Figueiredo's flyweight title win over Joseph Benavidez. Both fighters came out very aggressive from the opening round, and both had significant moments throughout the fight. The fight was virtually even until Figueiredo was deducted a point for a low blow, which eventually proved to be the difference maker. Regardless, Figueiredo kept the forward pressure and rallied to score an eventual draw with Moreno. The point deduction ultimately cost Figueiredo the win, but this fight still went down as one of the greatest fights in UFC flyweight history. Neither fighter was set on losing the opportunity to hold an undisputed UFC title, and they were destined to meet again and settle the score, which they did. 

## Dustin Poirier vs Dan Hooker

Perhaps the best fight we've seen at the UFC APEX, we saw Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker bang it out in a slugfest that lasted five rounds. Hooker was riding a three-fight win streak at the time and was looking to establish himself as a contender at Lightweight against the legend, Dustin Poirier. From the opening bell, these two went at it, both landing vicious shots that caused a lot of damage. Despite both men having significant moments, Poirier's experience was the difference maker as Hooker started to fade into the championship rounds. It's often rare for a fan to hear what goes on inside the cage. With a loud arena, whether you're at home or live at the event itself, you unfortunately aren't able to hear. This fight was special because you could hear the impact of each shot landing on the other fighter, and each fighter's reaction to each one. Poirier and Hooker went at it from bell to bell, and this fight being at the APEX made it a memorable one. 


APEX Anniversary: The Best Fights to Take Place at the UFC APEX

Liam Lindsay

UFC Fight Night: Perez vs. Taira goes down tomorrow night, live on ESPN2/ESPN+. Here are the results from today's weigh-ins.

## Main Card (ESPN2/ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET)

**_Featherweight:_** Alex Perez (**126 lbs**) vs. Tatsuro Taira (**126 lbs**)

**_Bantamweight:_** Douglas Silva de Andrade (**136 lbs**) vs. Miles Johns (**135 lbs**)

**_Featherweight:_** Timothy Cuamba (**145 lbs**) vs. Lucas Almeida (**146 lbs**)

**_Bantamweight:_** Brady Hiestand (**135 lbs**) vs. Garrett Armfield (**135.5 lbs**)

**_Flyweight:_** Asu Almabayev (**125.5 lbs**) vs. Jose Johnson (**126 lbs**)

**_Welterweight:_** Josh Quinlan (**169.5 lbs**) vs. Adam Fugitt (**170 lbs**)

## Preliminary Card (ESPN2/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET)

**_Catchweight:_** Tagir Ulanbekov (**129.5 lbs**) * vs. Joshua Van (**125.5 lbs**)

**_Flyweight:_** Jimmy Flick (**126 lbs**) vs. Nate Maness (**125.5 lbs**)

**_Flyweight:_** Carli Judice (**125.5 lbs**) vs. Gabriella Fernandes (**126 lbs**)

**_Featherweight:_** Jeka Saragih (**145 lbs**) vs. Westin Wilson (**146 lbs**)

**_Featherweight:_** Melquizael Costa (**145 lbs**) vs. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke (**145.5 lbs**)

**_Strawweight:_** Josefine Lindgren Knutsson (**114.5 lbs**) vs. Julia Polastri (**116 lbs**)

* Tagir Ulanbekov missed weight by 3.5 pounds.

UFC Fight Night: Perez vs. Taira Weigh-In Results

Joey Kolnicki

The UFC returns to its headquarters in Las Vegas with another fantastic Fight Night card. In the co-main event, two explosive brawlers faceoff when Douglas Silva de Andrade meets Miles Johns inside the octagon. In the main event, an established contender, Alex Perez, meets a red-hot prospect, Tatsuro Taira, for a chance to enter the Flyweight title picture. The entire card is filled with excellent matchups all sure to keep fans entertained. Let's take a look at the fights on the main card.

## Josh Quinlan vs. Adam Fugitt

**Welterweight Bout**

![quinlan1.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/5ee63f37-be8b-4302-0892-4b2821f11700/public "Josh Quinlan blasts Jason Witt with a left hook. Credit: MMA Mania.")

Quinlan has won two of his last five fights with one no-contest and has a UFC victory over Jason Witt (19-9-0). A power-punching brawler, he’s constantly pushing the pace and looking for a knockout. He does his best work in the pocket, often floating along the outside before blitzing in with hooks and overhands. Quinlan is always moving, constantly feinting and switching stances while throwing leg kicks at range. Training at Milestone Martial Arts, he has a black belt in BJJ and won’t typically initiate grappling exchanges but is strong in the clinch and has shown solid takedown defense. He’s always throwing bombs and carries his power throughout the fight. Quinlan has finished all his victories, with wins coming in all three rounds, making him dangerous at all times. 

![fugitt (1).jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/7d99b037-2b1f-465b-40c0-92c00290ef00/public "Adam Fugitt fires a head kick at Yusaku Kinoshita. Credit: MMA Junkie.")

Fugitt has won three of his last five bouts and has a UFC victory over Yusaku Kinoshita (6-3-0). He is a classic Muay Thai striker who starts aggressively, usually opening up the fight with a handful of kicks. Although he pushes the pace, he stays technical and constantly feints and changes angles. Fugitt keeps his guard tight and presses forward, looking for openings to land big shots. He has a solid chin and uses his length to his advantage, often landing damage from the outside, but he also has excellent clinch striking. He is a solid wrestler, regularly using trips or clinch takedowns to get the fight to the mat. Fugitt has good top control and ground and pound when on top and will grab a choke if given the chance. 

## Asu Almabayev vs. Jose Johnson

**Flyweight Bout**

![almabayaev.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/0ffe9fab-7c41-4d49-08a9-ad39df4c0f00/public "Asu Almabayev takes down Ode' Osbourne. Credit: MMA Junkie.")

Almabayev is on a 15-fight win streak and has UFC victories over Ode’ Osbourne (12-7-0) and CJ Vergara (12-5-1). He’s exceptionally well-rounded, with dominant wrestling and flashy striking. He’ll constantly throw spinning attacks on the feet and can land damage at range or in the pocket. Almabayev has landed 11 takedowns in just two UFC fights and has excellent chain wrestling, able to find takedowns from anywhere. Training at Kill Cliff FC, he’s an efficient grappler who never wastes energy or telegraphs his shots or transitions. He has smothering top control, rarely allowing his opponent to throw up any offense as he pursues a finish. Most of Almabayev’s finishes have come after round one, and he tends to heat up as the fight continues. 

![jjohnson1.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/efff7234-2284-40c1-caf9-8293b7720700/public "Jose Johnson lands vicious ground and pound on Jack Cartwright. Credit: MMA Fighting.")

Johnson has won four of his last five outings and has a UFC victory over Chad Anheliger (13-7-0). A well-rounded, lengthy scrapper, he’s dangerous anywhere the fight goes. He fights behind his jab on the feet, throwing every shot with speed and power while keeping his head off the centerline. Johnson throws every shot purposefully and uses his reach well, accurately picking apart his opponents from range. He’s very fluid on the mat, moving between positions easily, often through big, explosive actions. Training at StriKings, he’s always active on top or on his back, constantly throwing ground and pound and attempting submissions. Johnson pushes a heavy pace on the feet, with all his knockouts coming in round one, but remains dangerous throughout, with all his submissions coming in the second or third rounds. 

## Brady Hiestand vs. Garrett Armfield

**Bantamweight Bout**

![hiestand1.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/952cd996-279a-456d-30b4-0e615a90ab00/public "Brady Hiestand unloads a head kick onto Fernie Garcia. Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC.")

Hiestand has won four of his last five fights and has UFC victories over Fernie Garcia (10-5-0) and Batgerel Danaa (12-5-0). He’s a powerful wrestler with excellent cardio and a great kicking game. He’s patient on the feet, looking for openings and regularly throwing single shots and kicks from distance. Hiestand constantly switches stances and is willing to hang in the pocket and exchange punches. He’s landed twelve takedowns in his three promotional appearances and is a tenacious grappler, willing to work to get the fight to the mat. Training at Sikjitsu, he has excellent top and back control and is always working towards a finish. Hiestand has proven remarkably durable, capable of surviving in deep waters and still finding a way to victory. 

![armfield1.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/9092c3a7-206f-4e6c-33f9-b2b9d337a600/public "Garrett Armfield cracks Brad Katona with a right hand. Credit: Yahoo Sports.")

Armfield has won four of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over Toshiomi Kazama (10-4-0) and Brad Katona (16-3-0). A technical, composed striker, he pushes a consistent pace and throws every shot with purpose. He fights behind his jab, never loading up or telegraphing but throwing every shot with power. Armfield has excellent distance management, regularly moving in and out of the pocket without absorbing significant damage. Training at Marathon MMA, he does a great job of holding the center and dictating the fight's pace. He’s yet to attempt a takedown in the UFC but has shown great defensive wrestling, using a low stance that makes it tough for his opponents to finish takedowns. Armfield has found five of his six knockouts in round one but has excellent cardio and gets better as the fight continues. 

## Timmy Cuamba vs. Lucas Almeida

**Featherweight Bout**

![cuamba1.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/dc7186b9-87c2-4203-1bb2-a4113c428a00/public "Timmy Cuamba attempts a head kick on Bolaji Oki. Credit: ESPN+.")

Cuamba has won four of his last five outings and is looking to score his first UFC victory. He’s a speedy striker with excellent footwork and a solid chin. He’s in perpetual lateral motion, never staying in one spot long and remaining elusive. Cuamba tends to float along the outside, darting in and out of the pocket to land combinations without absorbing much in return. He does a great job varying his shots, mixing kicks into combinations, and attacking the head and body evenly. Training at Xtreme Couture, he won’t typically take the fight to the mat but has shown excellent takedown defense and is strong inside the clinch. Cuamba has excellent cardio and maintains his speed across all three rounds, always throwing in combination and with volume. 

![lalmeida1.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/84e640ef-c44b-49d2-9cfc-50c3be143500/public "Lucas Almeida stuns Michael Trizano with a right hook. Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC.")

Almeida has won two of his last five fights and has a UFC victory over Michael Trizano (11-3-0). A wild finisher who always hunts for a knockout, he throws everything in combination and with considerable power. He does a great job mixing kicks into his punch combinations and will constantly attack his opponent’s legs. Almeida is always willing to eat one to land one, regularly blitzing into the pocket to exchange. He has not attempted a takedown in his promotional tenure but will land brutal ground and pound if he finds himself in top position. Training at Team Kioshi, he tends to load up, often throwing lunging hooks and straights with maximum power. Almeida’s striking gets wilder as the fight goes on, constantly taking risks and attempting flashy attacks. 

## Douglas Silva de Andrade vs. Miles Johns

**Bantamweight Bout**

![silvadeandrade1.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/6ebbf1ba-9046-44bb-0457-f61e1dc87300/public "Douglas Silva de Andrade sends Gaetano Pirrelo soaring following a right hook. Credit: MMA Fighting.")

Silva de Andrade has won three of his last five bouts and has UFC victories over #4 ranked Bantamweight Marlon Vera (23-9-1), Cody Stamann (21-7-1), and Sergey Morozov (19-5-0). He’s an explosive scrapper with exceptional power and durability. He utilizes a tense, awkward style, throwing everything with knockout intentions. Silva de Andrade doesn’t need much space to hurt his opponent and can land brutal damage from in close and inside the pocket. Training at Corinthians MMA, he pushes a heavy pace from bell to bell, constantly coming forward to unload hooks and overhands. He’s very powerful inside the clinch and can perform slam takedowns, but is at his most comfortable on the feet. Silva de Andrade has been awarded two post-fight bonuses in his last four appearances and is never in a boring fight. 

![mjohns1.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/ad408b33-9e89-4c1e-48c3-96c6ec8fa400/public "Miles Johns finishes off Kevin Natividad with ground and pound. Credit: MMA Fighting.")

Johns has won three of his last five outings and has UFC victories over Anderson Dos Santos (21-9-0), Cody Gibson (20-10-0), and Kevin Natividad (9-4-0). He has serious power in both hands, technical boxing, and excellent footwork. He does a great job varying his shots, attacking the head and body as well as supplying a steady dose of leg kicks. Johns fights patiently, constantly moving and feinting to draw reactions before throwing precise and powerful combinations. He’s proven a capable grappler, averaging over one takedown landed per fifteen minutes while defending 85% of those attempted on him. When on top, he’s capable of landing brutal ground and pound, not typically pursuing submissions. Training at Marathon MMA, Johns has shown that he can find a finish at any time, with all his stoppage victories coming in round two or later. 

## #5 Alex Perez vs. #13 Tatsuro Taira

**Flyweight Bout**

![perez1.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/d4201b87-6028-4959-0f06-9c3e4f5f7e00/public "Alex Perez throws a left hand at Deiveson Figueiredo. Credit: Zuffa LLC.")

Perez has won two of his last five fights and has UFC victories over #8 ranked Flyweight Matheus Nicolau (19-5-1), Jussier Formiga (24-8-0), and Mark De La Rosa (11-5-0). He is a well-rounded fighter with brutal leg kicks and solid wrestling. He pushes a heavy pace from bell to bell, constantly pressuring forward, dipping his head, and throwing bombs. Perez varies his shots well, attacking the head and body evenly and regularly targeting his opponent’s legs. He’s averaging over two takedowns landed per fifteen minutes and has heavy top control. He’ll usually pursue a submission over ground and pound, and with six of his seven submissions coming via choke, he’s very dangerous if he finds his opponent’s neck. He’s always pursuing a finish, with eight of his eleven UFC fights not seeing the judge’s scorecards. Perez has seen the second round just three times since 2018 and is at his best early in the fight.

![taira2 (1).jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/321d073e-2a1a-404c-01a3-1d6db26c0000/public "Tatsuro Taira locks in a triangle on Jesus Aguilar. Credit: MMA Junkie.")

Taira is undefeated and has UFC victories over Jesus Aguilar (10-2-0), Édgar Cháirez (11-5-0), and Carlos Hernandez (9-3-0). A dangerous grappler with impressive power, he’s constantly looking to take the fight to the mat and secure a finish. He’s averaging over two takedowns landed and two submissions attempted per fifteen minutes and is very efficient on the ground. Taira has fantastic scrambles and reversals, seemingly always coming out the victor in grappling exchanges. Training at Paraestra Okinawa, he’s highly accurate on the feet, having landed 71% of the significant strikes he’s attempted, always remaining technical. He’ll usually prefer submissions to ground and pound but will unload on his opponent if given the chance. Taira has been awarded two post-fight bonuses in just four UFC appearances and is always pursuing a highlight victory. 

## Best Bets

_Asu Almabayev by **Submission**:_ One of the stranger matchups on the card, Almabayev is taking on a massive opponent in the 6'0" Johnson. Although at a significant reach disadvantage, Almabayev is the more powerful, explosive fighter and overall more dangerous. Johnson makes great use of his length on the feet and has a solid submission game, but has a tendency to get overwhelmed and outwrestled. With that said, Almabayev is a pressuring, powerful wrestler, basically the worst matchup for Johnson. On top of that, half of Johnson's losses have come via submission. With all of that in consideration, I expect a dominant win and impressive submission for Almabayev.

_Timmy Cuamba **Moneyline**:_ This matchup is a guaranteed barn-burner. Cuamba is extremely fast and loves to push the pace, while Almeida is very wild and is always looking for a knockout. While they have a similar goal in mind, they have very different means of achieving it. Almeida is very inclined to take risks, regularly sitting down in the pocket to exchange blows. Cuamba rarely stops moving, constantly darting in and out while landing quick combinations. I expect Almeida to struggle mightily with Cuamba's speed and footwork, leading him to get desperate and wild. When that happens, Cuamba should be able to take over with his technicality and secure his first UFC victory.

_Tatsuro Taira by **Submission**:_ Taira has shown to be improving at an impressive rate, proven by him scoring his first UFC knockout in his last appearance. He's continually adding more to his game and getting more dangerous as he continues to fight. While Perez proved plenty of people wrong with his last performance, he didn't show many new wrinkles in his game. He's always had an excellent offensive game on the feet, and that's how he's kept himself in the top ranks of the division. He has continually struggled when facing dominant grapplers, and the majority of his losses have come via submission. If Taira can secure an early takedown, I expect it to be a short night at the office for him. 

UFC Fight Night: Perez vs. Taira Preview

Douglas Vegas Bets

Dana White announced a new main event for UFC 303 last night. Alex Pereira will defend his Light Heavyweight title against Jiri Procházka in a rematch of when Pereira first won it. This fight is scheduled for June 29th from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and the odds are out now.

**Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 6/14/2024**

## Current Odds: Alex Pereira -182, Jiri Procházka +141

These odds mean a bettor would need to risk $182 on Alex Pereira to win $100, and a $100 bet on Procházka would win $141.

These fighters both last fought at UFC 300, earning knockout victories to set up this rematch. Alex Pereira defended his title with a first-round knockout over former champion Jamahal Hill. Jiri Procházka rallied from a tough start to pull off an exciting finish over Aleksander Rakic in the second round of their matchup.

## Past Odds: Alex Pereira

*Odds from FightOdds.io*

Alex Pereira (-129) vs. Jamahal Hill (+109) UFC 300 - Win

Alex Pereira (-125) vs. Jiri Procházka (+105) UFC 295 - Win

Alex Pereira (-110) vs. Jan Blachowicz (-110) UFC 291 – Win

Alex Pereira (+120) vs. Israel Adesanya (-130) UFC 287 – Loss

Alex Pereira (+195) vs. Israel Adesanya (-215) UFC 281 – Win

## Past Odds: Jiri Procházka

*Odds from FightOdds.io*

Jiri Procházka (-115) vs. Aleksander Rakic (-105) UFC 300 – Win

Jiri Procházka (+105) vs. Alex Pereira (-125) UFC 295 – Loss

Jiri Procházka (-210) vs. Glover Teixeira (+190) UFC 275 – Win

Jiri Procházka (-112) vs. Dominick Reyes (+102) UFC Fight Night: Reyes vs. Procházka – Win

Jiri Procházka (+157) vs. Volkan Oezdemir (-167) UFC 251 – Win

Who takes this highly anticipated rematch? Let us know in the comments.

Betting Odds: Alex Pereira Favorite Over Jiri Procházka for UFC 303 Rematch

Another card of UFC action will take place at the Apex this weekend, headlined by former title challenger Alex Perez +155, taking on undefeated prospect Tatsuro Taira -192 at Flyweight. I went over that fight and every other matchup on the card, so let's get into it.

**Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 6/13/2024**

## Alex Perez +155 vs. Tatsuro Taira -192

Flyweights take the main event spotlight in this intriguing matchup with big title implications. Alex Perez is a powerful striker who has returned in good form since injuries forced him to take several years away from consistent competition. He is coming into this off an upset win over Matheus Nicolau, where he landed a brutal combination in round two, demonstrating that his dangerous striking is still effective at the top of the division. Tatsuro Taira is a talented submission artist who is just twenty-four years old and has rapidly improved all aspects of his game. He has fought five times in the UFC already, although never against ranked competition, leaving questions about whether his style will work against the best in the world.

I'll pick Perez here as he has shown solid wrestling defense, and I expect him to have an advantage in the striking, although with how young Taira is and how much he could improve, he is difficult to bet against.

Pick: Perez O/U: Over 2.5 -133/ Under +105

## Miles Johns -139 vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade +113

Bantamweight veterans square off here in this closely lined clash. Miles Johns is a stocky wrestler with a big right hand, although he isn't the highest-volume puncher and can be out-paced. Douglas Silva de Andrade is a solid boxer with a high pace and a decent ground game as well.

I lean towards Silva de Andrade here as I see him being the more active fighter.

Pick: Silva de Andrade O/U: Over 2.5 -189

## Lucas Almeida +160 vs. Timmy Cuamba -200

Featherweights with high knockout percentages will clash here in this fun matchup. Lucas Almeida is a dangerous striker with real power in his hands, although his wrestling and grappling have been issues, as Pat Sabatini dominated him in that department. Timmy Cuamba is a young and well-rounded fighter with good boxing and wrestling that he mixes well.

I like Cuamba here as he is the much more well-rounded fighter who can use his wrestling to dominate this matchup.

Pick: Cuamba O/U: Under 2.5 -137

## Garrett Armfield -192 vs. Brady Hiestand +155

Well-rounded Bantamweights got elevated to the main card in what should be a fun fight. Garrett Armfield is a tough boxer with a good ability to defend the grappling, as he showed in his last fight with Brad Katona. Brady Hiestand is a fast-paced and young fighter coming in off back-to-back victories where he showed solid wrestling and relentless striking.

My pick here is Armfield, as I see him having a striking edge and defending the grappling. However, my bet here is the fight to go the distance., I see both men as durable, with good cardio, but not the best finishers.

Pick: Armfield O/U: Over 2.5 -172

## Asu Almabaev -588 vs. Jose Johnson +420

Flyweight grapplers face off in this exciting matchup. Asu Almabaev is a strong grappler who has looked good in two UFC appearances, showing his submission ability against Ode Osbourne. Jose Johnson is a six-foot-tall Flyweight making his debut at the weight class here; he has powerful striking and has had some highlight knockouts, although he has been outwrestled.

I'm picking Almabaev here as I see him having too much of an advantage in the grappling for Johnson to overcome despite his size, which may also come at the cost of a tough weight cut.

Pick: Almabaev O/U: Over 2.5 +115

## Adam Fugitt +101 vs. Josh Quinlan -123

Welterweight finishers clash here in this must-see matchup. Adam Fugitt is a big and tough guy for the division with solid straight punches and an alright submission attack. Josh Quinlan is a big puncher, although he has been exposed defensively in his last few fights for poor habits, which has led to him taking a lot of damage.

I've got Fugitt here as Quinlan has struggled recently against fighters with a reach advantage against him, and Fugitt will have the grappling upside.

Pick: Fugitt O/U: Under 2.5 -133

## Tagir Ulanbekov -227 vs. Joshua Van +180

One of the best fights on the card here at Flyweight will end off the prelims. Tagir Ulanbekov is a tall and long grappler who has used his dangerous choke game to submit back-to-back, including Cody Durden, a strong grappler. Joshua Van is an interesting prospect who builds with his solid boxing that uses a body-heavy attack as the fight goes on.

I'm taking Ulanbekov in this one, as his veteran grappling attack is too much for the young and inexperienced Van at this point.

Pick: Ulanbekov O/U: Under 2.5 -102

## Nate Maness -556 vs. Jimmy Flick +400

Flyweight finishers clash here in a fight that is likely to end in the first round. Nate Maness is a tough brawler coming off an early knockout, in which he showed his awareness on the ground to avoid the submission. Jimmy Flick is a talented submission artist who showed his toughness in weathering an early storm against Malcolm Gordon to find a submission in the second round his last time out.

At this price, I am very tempted to bet on Flick. I understand Maness being the favorite, but this price is crazy, given Flick's toughness and ability to force bad positions on the ground. I'll say the value side here is likely Jimmy Flick.

Pick: Flick O/U: Under 1.5 -204

## Jeka Saragih -357 vs. Westin Wilson +275

Featherweights looking to build traction in the division square off here. Jeka Saragih is a powerful and entertaining striker who showed he is dangerous with a huge upset win over Lucas Alexander last time out. Westin Wilson has had a tough run in the UFC, losing each of his fights in the first round, showing very limited striking, and going for leg locks rather than advancing position.

 I'll pick Saragih, as his power punching will likely result in a knockout, but I'm not sure he is worth taking any risk betting-wise at this steep price tag.

Pick: Saragih O/U: Under 1.5 -278

## Shayilan Nuerdanbieke +155 vs. Melquizael Costa -196

Featherweights looking to bounce back from stoppage losses go head-to-head here. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke is a very experienced fighter with a mix of decent boxing and wrestling skills, although the level of competition he faces is relatively low. Melquizael Costa is a dangerous fighter with decent submissions and power, although his wrestling defense and cardio have caused him issues.

I lean towards Costa here as I see him as the more dangerous fighter, but I'll pass on betting on him at this price because of the inconsistency of his game.

Pick: Costa O/U: Under 2.5 +111

## [DougLasVegasBets.net](https://douglasvegasbets.net) Plays

Adam Fugitt +105

Garrett Armfield vs. Brady Hiestand Fight Goes The Distance -150

Tagir Ulanbekov + Timmy Cuamba +115

UFC Fight Night: Perez vs. Taira Odds Breakdown

Dana White just announced that Ikram Aliskerov will be stepping in against Robert Whittaker for the main event in Saudi Arabia, replacing an ill Khamzat Chimaev. The odds for this new matchup have been released. This bout is scheduled for June 22nd, 2024, from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

**Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 6/13/2024**

## Current Odds: Robert Whittaker -200, Ikram Aliskerov +155

These odds mean a bettor would need to risk $200 on Whittaker to profit $100, and a $100 bet on Alikerov would return $155

Let's take a closer look at the fighter's most recent performances. This will be the second appearance of the year for the former champion Robert Whittaker, who comes into this off a unanimous decision win over Paulo Costa at UFC 298. After numerous cancellations, Ikram Aliskerov will return to the octagon here for the first time since his first-round knockout win over Warlley Alves last year at UFC 294.

## Past Odds: Robert Whittaker

*Odds provided by FightOdds.io*

Robert Whittaker (-230) vs. Paulo Costa (+195) UFC 298 - Win

Robert Whittaker (-312) vs. Dricus Du Plessis (+262) UFC 292 - Loss

Robert Whittaker (-192) vs. Marvin Vettori (+177) UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa - Win

Robert Whittaker (+240) vs. Israel Adesanya (-260) UFC 271 - Loss

Robert Whittaker (-255) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (+235) UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Gastelum - Win

## Past Odds: Ikram Aliskerov

*Odds provided by FightOdds.io*

Ikram Aliskerov (-730) vs. Warlley Alves (+530) UFC 294 - Win 

Ikram Aliskerov (-162) vs. Phil Hawes (+152) UFC 288 - Win 

Who are you taking in this short-notice clash? Let us know in the comments!

Betting Odds: Aliskerov Opens Underdog to Whittaker in New Main Event

Despite last night's event beginning with six straight decisions, the UFC's return to Louisville delivered, as fans were treated to an excellent main card filled with action-packed fights and highlight-reel finishes. In the main event, Frenchman Nassourdine Imavov rallied to become the first man to finish Jared Cannonier at Middleweight and will break into the top five. 

Let's recap what went down last night, and discuss what each result could mean for the foreseeable future. 

## Nassourdine Imavov def Jared Cannonier by fourth-round TKO

Jared Cannonier was up two rounds to one on two-thirds of the judges' scorecards, before succumbing to Nassourdine Imavov early in the fourth round. While Cannonier was expected to have the advantage as the fight went into the championship rounds, it was Imavov who hurt Cannonier badly and poor body language from the former title challenger led referee Jason Herzog to put a halt to the action. Cannonier's two-fight win streak came to an abrupt end, while Imavov looks like a future title contender as he is now 6-1 with one NC in his last eight fights. Imavov will jump into the top five and will immediately look for a title eliminator bout, while the 40-year-old Cannonier will look to rebound and get back on track. 

## Dominick Reyes def Dustin Jacoby by first-round TKO

It has been over 1,700 days since Dominick Reyes' last UFC win, which came back in 2019 against a 205 lb Chris Weidman. Things have not come easy for the former title challenger, but after a feeling-out process, Reyes sparked Jacoby and finished him off with strikes. It will be interesting to see how the UFC handles Reyes going forward, but it is surely great to see the man who gave Jon Jones his toughest test to date, back in the win column. 

## Raul Rosas Jr. def Ricky Turcios by second-round SUB

Little reminder that Raul Rosas Jr. is still only nineteen years old, but has three finishes in the UFC. His latest, a second-round rear naked choke over the former TUF veteran Ricky Turcios, was an impressive showing of young experience. Rosas desperately has a goal of becoming the youngest champion in UFC history, and if he keeps passing the tests the UFC gives him, he may have a shot to do just that. 

## Brunno Ferreira def Dustin Stoltzfus by first-round TKO

Brunno Ferreira improves his impressive record to 12-1 after another first-round finish over Dustin Stoltzfus. Ferreira's 100% finish rate remains intact, and he looked very sharp against the UFC veteran. Dustin surely had his moments early on in the fight, but the Brazilian persevered and landed a flush spinning back elbow and followed up with some more shots and the referee stopped the fight. Ferreira has rebounded from his first professional loss nicely, with two first-round finishes over experienced UFC veterans, and seems like a threat to the Middleweight top fifteen. 

## Zachary Reese def Julian Marquez by first-round TKO

It's safe to say Zachary Reese wanted to get back on track after a strange UFC debut that saw him get dumped on his head and finished for his first professional loss. Reese wasted no time and finished Julian Marquez in only 20 seconds after a hard kick to the body followed up with an uppercut that sent Marquez crashing to the octagon floor. A few more follow-up shots and that was that. Reese has had eight fights in his young career, and none of them have reached the second round. Reese's 100% finish rate includes finishes of 20, 33, 50, 52, and 1:14 seconds, and he always guarantees fireworks inside the octagon, win or lose. 

## Punahele Soriano def Miguel Baeza by Unanimous Decision

It was all domination from Punahele Soriano in his UFC Welterweight debut. From the opening bell, Soriano found success in the wrestling and control, compared to his trademark striking. Soriano outlanded Baeza 331-22, and landed five of six takedowns, with an eleven-minute control time being the telltale of this bout. Soriano had recently fallen on hard times, as he had lost four of his last five, but 170 lbs sure looks great on him, and he hopes to find similar success that saw him begin his UFC career with two straight wins. 

What was your favorite fight of UFC Louisville? Let us know in the comments down below. 


UFC Louisville Results

**Name:** Nassourdine Imavov

**Record:** 13-4

**Date of Birth:** March 1st, 1996

**Weight:** 185 Ib (84kg) 

**Height:** 6'3" (191 cm)

**Reach:** 75.0" (191 cm)

**Nationality:** Russian

**Fighting out of:** Salon-de-Provence, France

**Next Fight:** Jared Cannonier

Nassourdine Imavov is a rising Middleweight contender who has made himself a familiar name for fans, having headlined three events in his young career. Now, at age twenty-eight, he will look to use his unique skillset to push closer to his goal of the UFC title. 

## Early Career

Imavov's professional debut in 2016 was a learning experience, resulting in a first-round submission loss, which remains his only career stoppage loss. He fought very often to start, having six fights in 2016-17 before taking a year away in 2018 before what would end up being the biggest of his career. He returned to the cage in 2019, fighting frequently and winning all four fights, three of which were first-round finishes. These impressive performances paved the way for his entry into the UFC.

![082522-nassourdine-imavov-trains-MMA-Factory-30 (1).jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/e4ef52b8-7497-4825-9ae8-da110b31b700/public "Credits to: Zac Pacleb/Zuffa LLC")

## UFC Career

It was clear from the start that the MMA Factory product Imavov had the physical traits to succeed in the UFC with a similar style to that of a gym mate and fellow rising contender, Heavyweight Ciryl Gane. He is a very large Middleweight with phenomenal movement, which helped him win a unanimous decision over Jordan Williams in his debut. However, Phil Hawes showed some holes in his game in his second fight. Despite having tremendous success striking, he was outwrestled, which cost him a majority decision. It was after this fight that Imavov began to show his evolution and become a real threat to the division, dominating his next two opponents, earning knockout wins over Ian Heinisch and Edmen Shahbazyan, having used the ground game as a weapon of his own against Shabazyan. 

## UFC Paris

With the UFC set to hold an event in Paris for the first time in September 2022, it was an obvious choice to showcase Imavov on the card, with him representing France and training there. He would take on the always dangerous Joaquin Buckley, who had won five of his last six fights entering the contest. It was clear early in the contest that Imavov was the superior striker, landing hard shots from range in the first two rounds. The third round saw Buckley push the pace and steal the round, although it was not enough, with Imavov having done enough work early to claim the unanimous decision win.

![1420583526 (1) (1).jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/69ff0cc0-fbfb-4c0b-1b73-4bd4b68e5200/public "Credits to: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC")

## First Main Event

Imavov was then set for his first Main Event spotlight against former title challenger Kelvin Gastelum in a big step up in competition. Gastelum would pull out just weeks before the fight, leaving Sean Strickland to step in on short notice and take the main event. The pressure of Strickland proved too much for Imavov, as he would go on to win a high-paced striking match between the two and set the seed for a rivalry that has yet to come to a close. 

## Xtreme Couture Rematch

Imavov's next booking would come against a close friend and training partner of Strickland, Chris Curtis. The fight was a great showing for Imavov, as through two rounds, he displayed better striking and mixed-in grappling to put himself clearly ahead before an accidental clash of heads would end the contest in a disappointing fashion. However, this was not the end of the rivalry with Curtis, as Curtis would corner Imavov's next opponent, Roman Dolidze. Imavov was en route to a dominant win when a stoppage in the action resulted in a verbal altercation between Imavov and Curtis from the corner, which ended with Herb Dean threatening to disqualify Imavov. Action resumed, and Imavov would pick up the biggest win of his career with a majority decision over Dolidze. 

![Chris-Curtis-vs.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/611027dc-3ae9-44c7-dd53-4cd2363f4a00/public "Credits to: Sergei Belski, USA TODAY Sports")

## Current Status

Imavov now heads into his third main event in his last four fights, with this being his biggest test yet against former title challenger Jared Cannonier, who holds a win over Sean Strickland and enters this fight off a record-breaking performance in terms of strikes landed against Marvin Vettori. A win here will enter Imavov into the title discussion and prove to fans that he is ready to be talked about among the world's best Middleweights.

Fighter Spotlight: Nassourdine Imavov

The UFC is in Louisville, Kentucky, at the KFC YUM Center this weekend! headlined by Middleweight contenders Jared Cannonier and Nassourdine Imavov going head to head. I went over that matchup and every other fight on the card to give my predictions and best bets, so let's get into it.

**Odds provided by DuelBits accurate as of 6/5/2024**

## Jared Cannonier +103 vs. Nassourdine Imavov -125

Top-ranked Middleweights clash in this high-stakes main event. Jared Cannonier returns from a year away due to a torn MCL. He is a high-volume power puncher with great cardio, although he is now forty years old and has been rocked several times against guys not known for punching power, like Derek Brunson and Marvin Vettori. Nassordine Imavov is a very slick kickboxer coming off an impressive five-round domination against Roman Dolidze earlier this year, during which he showed his dangerous power and gained more experience going the distance.

I've got the younger guy on his way up in Imavov, and I believe he will find a finish in this one as well, with Cannonier being as old as he is and coming off a serious injury.

Pick: Imavov O/U: Under 4.5 +119

## Dominick Reyes +190 vs. Dustin Jacoby -238

A former title challenger returns here in a must-win fight at Light Heavyweight. Dominick Reyes is looking to regain form here, having brutally lost his last three fights, all ending by knockout. Over his career, he has proven to be a high-level and dangerous striker with the power to finish early and keep a solid pace. Dustin Jacoby is a solid veteran with a kickboxing style who has been on the wrong end of three of his last four fights, having shown a decline in durability by being dropped several times over those matchups.

I'm taking Reyes as the underdog here as I don't believe Jacoby is as dangerous as the past opponents who were able to finish him. If he can return to anything close to what he was when he fought Jon Jones, I see Reyes dominating to a stoppage win.

Pick: Reyes O/U: Under 2.5 -147

## Raul Rosas Jr. -244 vs. Ricky Turcios +190

Bantamweights will finally meet after a fight day cancellation pushed this matchup back. Raul Rosas Jr. made headlines for breaking into the UFC at a young age, and he has shown why with his dangerous finishing ability early in fights, although when extended, there are still questions, as was shown when he faced Christian Rodriguez. Ricky Turcios returns here after over a year off; he made it to the UFC by winning the Ultimate Fighter, although he has struggled to impress in two fights with the promotion showing a very raw skillset.

I see Rosas Jr. having a significant advantage on the ground in this matchup, and I'll pick him to use that advantage to either find an early finish or control Turcios to a clear decision win.

Pick: Rosas Jr. O/U: Over 2.5 -149

## Brunno Ferreira -270 vs. Dustin Stoltzfus +215

Middleweight finishers coming off impressive victories match up in this one. Brunno Ferreira is a powerhouse with dangerous punches that helped him pull off the upset over Gregory Rodrigues, though his durability is a concern as well, having been knocked out early by Nursulton Ruziboev. Dustin Stoltzfus is a solid submission grappler coming off a good performance against Punahele Soriano, in which he was very measured before finding the finish in the second round.

Ferreira is likely to get a finish early in this one, as he can handle the grappling and will dominate the striking with little fear of the power coming back his way.

Pick: Ferreira O/U: Under 1.5 -137

## Julian Marquez -137 vs. Zach Reese +111

Middleweights who look for the finish from the first bell meet in this must-see matchup. Julian Marquez is a brawler with good hands and a solid submission game that he has used to finish three UFC opponents as well; he comes in off two knockout losses, although they were against rather tough competition in Marc-Andre Barriault and Gregory Rodrigues. Zach Reese is a big and athletic guy with solid power and submission skills, although he lacks much experience against top competition and past the first round, which causes big concerns.

I've got Marquez here as I see him being able to handle any early threat that Reese may have to take over and earn a finish in the later rounds.

Pick: Marquez O/U: Under 1.5 -159

## Punahele Soriano +155 vs. Miguel Baeza -196

Welterweight knockout artists collide here to open the main card. Punahele Soriano moves down in weight here after struggling his last few at Middleweight; he is a powerful striker, although he is very hittable and has yet to show much ability to adapt during fights despite having a strong coach behind him in Eric Nicksick. Miguel Baeza returns from a long layoff here after losing his last three, with the most recent two being knockouts; he has well-rounded finishing skills, although his defense has proven to be an issue as he struggles to move his head or deal with leg kicks. 

At this price, I lean toward Soriano as he still has big power despite his recent struggles, which is a massive factor with both men having durability issues.

Pick: Soriano O/U: Over 1.5 -119

## Thiago Moises +103 vs. Ludovit Klein -127

Battle-tested Lightweights looking to push into the rankings, go at it here. Thiago Moises is a tough veteran with a good ground game as his base, although he has shown solid striking using the leg kick to control his last fight against Mitch Ramirez. Ludovit Klein is a fast striker who has made clear improvements since moving up to Lightweight, showing that his wrestling is much better, having used it to earn big wins over Mason Jones and Ignacio Bahamondes.

I've got Klein here. He will have a massive speed advantage that will help him dominate the striking, and he has shown clear improvement in his grappling, which will help him defend Moises's attack.

Pick: Klein O/U: Under 2.5 +109

## Charles Radtke +185 vs. Carlos Prates -233

Welterweights to keep an eye on square off in this fantastic prelim matchup. Charles Radtke is a gritty fighter with solid wrestling and an improving standup that he used to get the upset over Gilbert Urbina in his last fight, knocking him out in round one with a powerful left hook. Carlos Prates is a very long kickboxer coming off an impressive debut knockout over Trevin Giles, although his grappling is still untested at this level of competition.

I'll pick Prates to find a knockout finish, but I have a hard time backing him at this price, given the many questions remaining.

Pick: Prates O/U: Over 1.5 -152

## Brad Katona -625 vs. Jesse Butler +440

Bantamweights both looking to get things on track go head to head here. Brad Katona is a very well-rounded and tough fighter who has shown solid boxing and a great wrestling game that helped him become the first to win The Ultimate Fighter twice. Jesse Butler looks to put his short-notice debut loss to Jim Miller behind him here; he is a good grappler who can finish fights on the ground, having eight submissions on his record. 

This price is a lot, but I have to pick Katona, as he has proven he can compete at this level, and Butler, who has been off for a year, moving down two weight classes from his debut.

Pick: Katona O/U: Under 2.5 +190

## Andrea Lee -152 vs. Montana De La Rosa +123

Flyweights, each looking to end lengthy losing streaks, will meet in this rematch. Andrea Lee has consistently faced very high-level competition over her career, showing a solid ground game when she has the physicality advantage, although stronger wrestlers have been able to control her. Montana De La Rosa will look for redemption after losing the first matchup five years ago, and she will likely need to get her grappling going to do so, with most of her wins having come from her submission game.

I'll go with Lee to get the job done again. She has kept some of her fights close with highly ranked women and has proven tough to submit on the ground, where most of De La Rosa's wins have come from.

Pick: Lee O/U: Over 2.5 -385

## Daniel Marcos -102 vs. John Castaneda -119

Bantamweights will face off here in a clash of styles with the classic striker vs. grappler matchup. Daniel Marcos is a kickboxer with solid power, although he can be low-volume at times, which showed up as a problem against Davey Grant in a fight in which he was lucky to get the decision. John Castaneda is a high-paced grappler with good cardio that he uses to pressure his opponents, which has helped him secure several late finishes.

I lean towards Castaneda here as he is the more active fighter with the grappling upside.

Pick: Castaneda O/U: Over 2.5 -250

## Eduarda Moura -169 vs. Denise Gomes +137

Strawweight finishers square off here early on the card. Eduarda Moura has shown a dominant ground game so far, helping her collect an undefeated record with ten wins, including nine inside the distance, most coming via her strong ground and pound or rear-naked-choke. Denise Gomes is a powerful puncher who proved she is live against anyone in her fast upset win over Yazmin Jauregui, although she has been taken down and controlled or out volumed in the striking in fights like the Angela Hill and Loma Lookboonmee losses.

I'm picking Moura to get her ground game going and take a dominant decision here.

Pick: Moura O/U: Over 2.5 -135

## Cody Stamann +215 vs. Taylor Lapilus -278

Bantamweight veterans meet in a clash of styles. Cody Stamann is a tough wrestler who has competed with some of the best in the division, showing solid boxing to go with his high-pressure grappling attack. Taylor Lapilus is a kickboxer with good kicks at range, although he has been controlled on the ground before by less experienced opponents.

At this price, I'm taking Stamann as I see this coming down to a close decision, and when that is the case, I would much rather have the underdog with the grappling upside.

Pick: Stamann O/U: Over 2.5 -385

## Puja Tomar +235 vs. Rayanne Amanda -303

Strawweights, each looking for their first UFC win battle, are here to open the card. Puja Tomar makes her debut here, coming in with a very high finish rate that includes finishing her last three opponents; however, she has suffered several submission losses in her young career, which is cause for concern. Rayanne Amanda enters this off a close split decision loss in her first UFC bout, although before that, she had won three straight to earn her spot in the promotion, having shown a solid ground game with a good submission attack, including an armbar that has finished seven of her pro wins.

I'll pick Amanda to get a submission finish here as I see her as a much better grappler, eventually forcing a mistake from Tomar.

Pick: Amanda O/U: Under 2.5 +143

## [DougLasVegasBets.net](https://douglasvegasbets.net) Plays

Nassourdine Imavov -125 

Dominick Reyes +187 

Julian Marquez -110 

Ludovit Klein -125 

Cody Stamann +210

UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Imavov Odds Breakdown

Bubba "Bad Man" Jenkins is preparing for his much-anticipated return to the octagon against fellow Featherweight contender Gabriel Alves Braga at PFL 6 on June 28th from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Jenkins took the time to talk with me about this season and what's ahead for him.

Jenkins is known for being an entertaining character with the skills to back it up. He entered MMA as a national champion wrestler at Arizona State and has been working with renowned coach Dewey Cooper to help his constantly improving striking attack. 


>"I pride myself on being a complete mixed martial artist. I get points for a knockout or a submission." - Bubba Jenkins

His last fight ended in a decision loss against Kai Kamaka, and Jenkins is eager to move on. The fight was a closely contested decision that saw both fighters have success although the judges gave the win to Kamaka.


>"What I learned is if you have an opportunity to really step on the gas and finish a guy, it's important to leave it out of the judge's hands." - Bubba Jenkins

Looking ahead to his next fight, Jenkins has no animosity towards Gabriel Braga and spoke highly of him, making it clear this fight is about getting the finish and the points that come with that.


>"Love everything that Braga has done and who he represents. This is strictly business, I gotta get these points." - Bubba Jenkins

The result of his previous fight has left Jenkins in a position where he needs a finish to make the playoffs this season. Several fighters are ahead of him in the current standings, and Jenkins made it clear that getting that finish to earn a playoff spot is all that matters to him.


>"I kinda like being in that position. I believe I'm the type of fighter to get it done." - Bubba Jenkins

Jenkins has had an impressive career in MMA and is still working on adding to his list of accolades. He is also very well prepared for when his time in the cage ends, having spent time working on other careers, such as commentating, working in the cannabis industry, and having a passion for food.


>"I'm not gonna fight forever. I gotta prepare myself for that." - Bubba Jenkins

Jenkins will next be in action against Gabriel Alves Braga at PFL 6 on June 28th; make sure to tune in!
