Taylor Dow

## UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Gamrot Preview


The UFC returns to the Apex this week with a Europe vs. Eurasia headliner featuring Poland's Mateusz Gamrot and Azerbaijan's Rafael Fiziev.      


The prelims are as stacked as a Fight Night could be with fan favorites such as Tim Means, André Fialho, Jake Collier, Miles Johns, Jacob Malkoun, Cody Brundage, and The Ultimate Fighter 30 winner Mohammed Usman.     

The main card is loaded with even more exciting fights, so let's look into them as they appear on the Verdict MMA app.       





## Ricardo Ramos vs. Charles Jourdain       


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```

***This fight is scheduled to take place in the Featherweight division.***         



 
Ricardo Ramos made a name for himself in Dana White's Lookin' For A Fight, where he submitted Alfred Khashakyan and earned a UFC contract. Ramos is as flashy as they come and has 2 spinning back elbows on his record, and both within the UFC, one over Aiemann Zahabi, the brother of Georges St. Pierre's coach, Firas Zahabi. Ramos has a UFC record of 7-3 and has never lost 2 fights in a row.      

Charles Jourdain is a fun fighter to watch; most say Canadians are incredibly lovely people, and he is, but his fighting style does not reflect the word "lovely" whatsoever. Throughout his career, Jourdain seems allergic to boring fights, as he stays well away from them every time he steps into the Octagon. Ever since his promotional debut, Jourdain has been pitted against the best Featherweights the UFC has to offer: Doo-ho Choi, Andre Fili, Joshua Culibao, Julian Erosa, Shane Burgos, Nathaniel Wood, Kron Gracie, and the list goes on. Jourdain has a UFC record of 5-5-1 and loves to put on a show for the fans watching at home or in attendance.      

When these 2 striking aficionados go head-to-head, who will get their hand raised in the UFC Apex?     


## Bryan Battle vs. AJ Fletcher      


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```


***This fight is scheduled to take place in the Welterweight division.***         

Bryan Battle won The Ultimate Fighter 29 with relative ease as he finished all his opponents besides one. Since joining the UFC, Battle has achieved more impressive feats each time out, until at the end of 2022, he faced Rinat Fakhretdinov and lost a unanimous decision. However, despite this loss, he didn't let it slow down his momentum, as he returned 5 months later with a 14-second knockout over Gabriel Green. Battle has a UFC record of 4-1, and with a name like "Battle," he is clearly born for this.     

AJ Fletcher had one of the most insane Dana White's Contender Series victories ever when he landed a flying knee during the 2021 season to knock out Leonardo Damiani. Fletcher stamped his name with this victory, saying, "I belong in the UFC, Dana." Since joining the promotion, Fletcher has gone 1-2, with his first victory coming in his most recent fight against Themba Gorimbo.     

These 2 Welterweights are looking to score a big win and begin their climb of the 170 lb division.     





## (#8) Marina Rodriguez vs. (#12) Michelle Waterson-Gomez     

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```


***This fight is scheduled to take place in the Women's Strawweight division.***    

A rematch between these 2 Strawweights is upon us; Marina Rodriguez controlled the majority of the first bout for a unanimous decision victory. Their last fight occurred in May 2021, and since then, both women have come off of back-to-back losses in their last 2 fights.      

Marina Rodriguez burst onto the WMMA scene after going 9-0 and getting a shot on Dana White's Contender Series Brazil, where she knocked out Maria de Oliveira Neta in the first round to secure a UFC contract. Since debuting, she has amassed a UFC record of 6-3-2 against impressive names such as Mackenzie Dern, Yan Xiaonan, Amanda Lemos, Amanda Ribas, Carla Esparza, Tecia Torres, Cynthia Calvillo, and Randa Markos.      


Michelle Waterson-Gomez is a fan favorite for one main reason: she goes to war. No matter who the opponent is, Waterson-Gomez puts it all on the line for a victory. Waterson-Gomez is a very active fighter, fighting twice yearly since her professional debut in 2007. As for the UFC, she debuted in 2015 after winning and defending the Invicta FC Atomweight title. Waterson-Gomez now fights at Strawweight as the UFC has never introduced an Atomweight weight class, meaning she has to fight women 10 lbs heavier than her. Waterson-Gomez has fought some of the best female fighters on the planet: Joanna Jędrzejczyk, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, Tecia Torres, Rose Namajunas, Angela Hill, and Amanda Lemos, earning a 6-7 UFC record in the process. Despite going 1-5 in her last 6 fights, Waterson-Gomez hopes to return to the win column and redeem this loss from 2021.      

Will Rodriguez solidify her victory from their first fight, or will Waterson-Gomez make the adjustments necessary to come out on top?       









## (#10) Bryce Mitchell vs. (#12) Dan Ige     

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```


***This fight is scheduled to take place in the Featherweight division.***      

Bryce Mitchell is known for his exceptional grappling skills, particularly his high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Dan Ige, on the other hand, is a well-rounded fighter with solid striking and grappling abilities. Contrasting fighting styles often lead to exciting bouts. 

Mitchell is a runner-up of The Ultimate Fighter 27, and even though he didn't win the tournament, he has already done more in the UFC than the actual winner did. Mitchell is coming off his first career loss against Featherweight stand-out Ilia Topuria. Mitchell stunned the masses when he pulled off the second-ever twister submission against Matt Sayles in 2019. Since his UFC debut, Mitchell has amassed a UFC record of 6-1, with impressive victories over Edson Barboza, Andre Fili, Charles Rosa, Bobby Moffett, and fellow TUF alum Tyler Diamond.      


Dan Ige is just stepping into "veteran" territory after 14 fights within the promotion and a professional career spanning just under 10 years. Ige is a powerful striker with one-punch knockouts and finishes in under a minute. Ige is a very active fighter, averaging slightly under 3 fights yearly since he began as a professional. Ige is 9-5 in the UFC with big wins over Mike Santiago, Edson Barboza, Gavin Tucker, Damon Jackson, and Nate Landwehr.     

Another classic veteran vs. prospect matchup is at our fingertips; will Mitchell score yet another flashy submission, or will Ige halt the hype of the young Mitchell once and for all?     



   





## (#6) Rafael Fiziev vs. (#7) Mateusz Gamrot    


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```



***This fight is scheduled to take place in the Lightweight division.***    

We have arrived at the main event of the evening! A historic striker vs. grappler matchup is upon us in the UFC's most talent-filled division.      


Rafael Fiziev is one of the most exciting classic Muay Thai strikers the UFC has seen in recent history. Fiziev has an enormous 75% finishing rate, with 8 of his wins coming by knockout. Fiziev is 6-2 in the UFC with knockouts over Rafael dos Anjos, Brad Riddell, and Renato Moicano. Fiziev is coming off a loss in his most recent outing when he faced Justin Gaethje in a main event at the beginning of the year. Fiziev has shown exceptional durability and tenacity in his UFC run and has only been finished once as a professional.      


Mateusz Gamrot is potentially the greatest grappler in the UFC right now who is not from Russia. Gamrot is a 5-time submission wrestling champion and put that on display in his fight against Arman Tsarukyan. Gamrot and Tsarukyan put on one of the best grappling-heavy MMA fights I have ever seen, and it seemed both were evenly matched; however, Gamrot was the one who got his hand raised in the end. Gamrot is coming off a split-decision win over Jalin Turner at the beginning of the year and is 5-2 in the UFC, with 3 of his UFC wins being by way of finish.      


This fight is sure to be a banger. Will Fiziev be able to hold off the wrestling attack of Gamrot, or will Gamrot be able to evade the brutal strikes of Fiziev?     












## Best Bets:     
_Fiziev vs. Gamrot Over 2.5_        
_Mitchell vs. Ige Over 2.5_       



***What fight are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below.***     

UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs. Gamrot Preview

ROUNDHOUSE MMA

The UFC women's Flyweight title remains in the hands of Alexa Grasso, but following the main event of Noche UFC, we ultimately are left with more questions than answers. Most can agree that the score read 2-2 going into the fifth and final round, and with Grasso dominating Valentina Shevchenko, judge Mike Bell scored the fifth 10-8 in favor of Grasso. Because of that, the fight was scored a draw, which drew out a lot of controversy. Undoubtedly, this puts a massive hold on the division, until the UFC can decide how the future of 125 should play out. Regarding what's next, there are some options. I don't think there's a perfect way to matchmake this division going forward, but I'm going to highlight five fights that need to be made following Noche UFC. 

On a side note, Valentina Shevchenko revealed that she broke her thumb in the first round of the fight, so the timetable for her return is uncertain. 

## Alexa Grasso vs Valentina Shevchenko III

Controversy aside, even if Mike Bell had scored the fifth round a 10-9 for Alexa Grasso, Valentina Shevchenko would have been a two-time Flyweight champion. Despite that, this fight while very entertaining and back and forth, was too close to call. A decision on either side would have been a better result than a split draw. I don't think this rivalry between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko should end here, they need to fight for a third time. Both women had a lot of success and were moments away from finishing each other, and surely the fans want to see these two settle their competition before we see a new challenger to the title. As soon as both women heal up from their injuries, book it. 

## Erin Blanchfield vs Manon Fiorot

Erin Blanchfield and Manon Fiorot are in a tough spot. Both are on huge winning streaks and are coming off the biggest wins of their careers. Surely enough for a shot at the title. But, they're going to have to play the waiting game. The UFC has not revealed who they favor for a shot at the title, so until Grasso and Shevchenko resolve their trilogy, Blanchfield and Fiorot should decide who gets the next shot in a title eliminator. The perfect main event for a Fight Night in 2024. 

## Taila Santos vs Katlyn Chookagian

Moving on, Taila Santos is admittedly in a strange position. In another world, she would have been fighting Alexa Grasso on Saturday night, but some judges did not feel the same way. In her last fight, Santos lost a very competitive fight to Erin Blanchfield, which was supposed to be her chance to get back at the title. She remains a legitimate threat to the Flyweight belt despite being on a two-fight losing streak, but it looks like she needs to gain her confidence back because this division is better when she’s in the conversation for a title. Katlyn Chookagian has had a lot of experience fighting the best female fighters in the world, and while she is coming off a loss as well, Chookagian remains the perfect gatekeeper who has derailed a lot of prospects hype on their way up. A win for either fighter keeps them in the conversation for another title shot. 

## Jessica Andrade vs Maycee Barber

It’s been rough to watch Jessica Andrade, a former Strawweight champion and multiple-time title challenger, go on the skid that she’s been on as of late, but she’s entitled to a new role in this division. I’d like to see her welcome new contenders to the division and serve as that gatekeeper for those fighters to either reach contendership or go back down to their current role of the prospect. Andrade needs a tune-up, and Maycee Barber needs a big fight. Let’s book these two next. 

## Tracy Cortez vs Casey O'Neill

Tracy Cortez put on the best performance of her career on Saturday against a very tough Jasmine Jasudavicius and needs a ranked opponent next. Cortez is on an eleven-fight win streak, and while she is primarily a wrestler, she took the last year away from fighting and came back a new and improved martial artist. It was the striking of Cortez that impressed, and she out-landed Jasmine with very crisp boxing. Casey O'Neill is coming off of her first professional loss, and would be a perfect matchup for Cortez. The winner will go on to challenge a top ten opponent next. 

Admittedly, we are not sure of when Valentina Shevchenko will come back following her hand injury, and if the UFC needs another contender to fill the void while she recovers, Erin Blanchfield or Manon Fiorot will do just fine in Shevchenko’s absence. But, in a perfect world and Valentina can recover quickly, these are the five fights that need to be made following Noche UFC. 


Five Fights to Make in the Women's Flyweight Division

Liam Lindsay

The UFC will return to China on December 9th for a Fight Night card. The main event is currently unconfirmed, as is the city in China, per AgFight via Twitter.

It has been over four years since the UFC has been to China, with the last card being a Fight Night card headlined by Jessica Andrade and Zhang Weili, which took place in the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Centre Arena. In this bout, Weili emphatically stopped Andrade in just forty-two seconds to claim the Women's Strawweight title, and despite losing it to Rose Namajunas in 2021, she has reclaimed it and still holds it to this day. Other fighters featured on the last UFC China card include Li Jingliang, Damir Ismagulov, and Kai Kara-France.

## Official Fights

There is currently just one official fight for the UFC China card, a matchup between UFC debutants Zhang Mingyang and Brendson Ribeiro which takes place in the Light-Heavyweight division. Zhang Mingyang is riding a nine-fight win streak and was scheduled to face Tyson Pedro at UFC 284, but Mingyang withdrew due to an undisclosed injury. Brendson Ribeiro is coming off a first-round TKO on Dana White's Contender Series, where he was awarded a contract. 

## Rumoured Bouts

Although unofficial, many speculate this card to be headlined by the reigning Women's Strawweight Champion Zhang Weili, who's riding back-to-back victories against Carla Esparza and Amanda Lemos. Her opponent will be Yan Xionan, who's riding a two-fight win streak, including a shocking upset KO against Jessica Andrade. This bout will be an all-Chinese main event, the first in UFC history. 

We'll keep you updated on the state of this card, including headliners and other bouts added to it. Who do you think should fight on the UFC China card? As a member of the Verdict Community, let us know with a comment down below.

The UFC Will Return To China on December 9th, First Bout Added To Card

Douglas Vegas Bets

The UFC is at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this weekend for a fight night card set to celebrate Mexican Independence Day headlined by Flyweight champion Alexa Grasso +140 taking on Valentina Shevchenko -182 in a rematch of their battle earlier this year where Grasso scored the massive upset win. I went over every fight on this deep card and gave my picks and best bets, so let's go over it.

**Odds provided by Stake.com accurate as of 9/14/2023 9:00 AM EST**

## Alexa Grasso +140 vs. Valentina Shevchenko -182

The Flyweight title is on the line in this rematch that is set to determine a lot about the division's future. Alexa Grasso has become the champion behind a very well-rounded attack with strong boxing and a tremendous ground game that earned her the finish over Shevchenko last time out. Valentina Shevchenko looks to bounce back here; she has been a very effective counter striker over her career, although she has been grappled in her last few fights, perhaps showing a hole in her game. 

I lean toward Shevchenko as my pick, as I still feel she has enough left in the tank to put together a winning game plan here. However, my more confident pick is the over as I see this fight going to a decision more often than not with these two being familiar with each other and respecting their game. 

Pick: Shevchenko O/U: Over 4.5 -143

## Kevin Holland +120 vs. Jack Della Maddalena -154

A Welterweight banger is expected here in the highly anticipated co-main event. Kevin Holland has been very active, showing improvement many times out with great boxing and an improved wrestling game to go with an already dangerous submission game; he is also very durable. Jack Della Maddalena has been an eye-catching prospect with dazzling boxing that has given him a nice highlight reel; however, his ground game and fight IQ were brought into question after his last fight, where he jumped for submissions with a hurt opponent several times, which nearly cost him the fight.

I like Holland as the underdog here as the striking will be very close, and I give the ground edge to Holland, who will also have a reach advantage, giving me enough reasons to bet him here. I also like the over, as both guys are durable, making me see this one go to a decision more often than not. 

Pick: Holland O/U: Over 2.5 +105

## Raul Rosas Jr. -833 vs. Terrence Mitchell +500

The youngest fighter in the UFC makes another appearance here at Bantamweight. Raul Rosas Jr. looks to bounce back after a tough second fight against Christian Rodriguez; he has fantastic grappling with great control early, enough to finish many opponents. Terrence Mitchell is back; he is a long fighter coming off a tough showing against Cameron Saaiman.

Rosas Jr. should dominate here as he will have a massive advantage on the ground early, which I see him using to get ground and pound or submission in round one.

Pick: Rosas Jr. O/U: Under 1.5 -303

## Daniel Zellhuber -244 vs. Christos Giagos +185

This fight features a Lightweight prospect with many expectations on him looking to continue to step up in competition here. Daniel Zellhuber has been a highly touted prospect, as he has fantastic striking and an excellent frame for the division, although his ground game is still a slight question mark. Christos Giagos is an experienced veteran with a very high level of competition; he has a solid game, although his durability is a concern, with him being finished by most of the higher-caliber opponents he has faced. 

I like Zellhuber here, as he looked much more comfortable in his last fight with Lando Vannata. 

Pick: Zellhuber O/U: Under 2.5 

## Fernando Padilla -263 vs. Kyle Nelson +195

It's a solid test for a fascinating young Featherweight to open the main card. Fernando Padilla made a name for himself by stepping in on short notice and knocking out veteran Julian Erosa early. Kyle Nelson is a tough fighter with solid power and a decent grappling attack. 

This price makes me feel that Padilla is overrated after a promising debut win, as I have not seen enough from him to justify this price. For that reason, I'll lean with Nelson to win this one. 

Pick: Nelson O/U: Over 2.5

## Lupita Godinez -476 vs. Elise Reed +330

Strawweight clash of styles here. Lupita Godinez has been an interesting fighter to watch as she has shown a very high-level ground game and decent boxing; I believe she has a very high ceiling. Elise Reed is a solid boxer with good movement, although her ground game is not great, and she is not the most consistent.

I'll pick Godinez to get a finish in this one as if she looks to take it to the ground, she will completely dominate.

Pick: Godinez O/U: Under 2.5

## Roman Kopylov -357 vs. Josh Fremd +260

It's a good clash of Middleweights on win streaks looking to continue their run here. Roman Kopylov is a good kickboxer who has improved drastically over his time in the UFC and is now on a three-fight knockout streak that has him primed for a jump in competition. Josh Fremd returns here off a win over Jamie Pickett, where he was able to outwork Pickett, although, after missing weight, it was not his best performance. 

I like Kopylov here as he can defend any grappling that Fremd may try and win a striking match.

Pick: Kopylov O/U: Over 1.5

## Edgar Chairez -233 vs. Daniel Lacerda +180

All action Flyweight clash goes down here. Edgar Chairez stepped up in his debut against Tatsuro Taira, who I am very high on, and gave a solid account of himself making it to a decision and nearly finishing the fight late. Daniel Lacerda is the definition of kill or be killed as he will empty the tank trying to finish opponents with his wild power, which has nearly worked for him several times, although, to this point, he has yet to secure a UFC win.

I'll take Chairez here as he is very tough to finish, making me think he will outlast the reckless Lacerda. 

Pick: Chairez O/U: Over 1.5

## Tracy Cortez -122 vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius -105

Good matchup of up-and-coming Flyweight grapplers here. Tracy Cortez is a strong starter with good top control, although her striking isn't great, and she slows down. Jasmine Jasudavicius is a tall, long grappler with decent striking and good cardio; she has proven she can out-grapple solid wrestlers like Miranda Maverick.

I've got Jasudavicius here, as she should be favored with her size and striking advantages. 

Pick: Jasudavicius O/U: Over 2.5

## Charlie Campbell -435 vs. Alex Reyes +310

Lightweight firefights are here early on the card. Charlie Campbell is a knockout artist who many may remember from his wild Contender Series fight, where he was knocked out after having Chris Duncan Badly hurt. Alex Reyes returns off a long injury layoff here, it is hard to tell how he will look coming back, but he is a fast starter with a solid submission game from what we know.

I'll pick Campbell to get an early finish in this one, as he has shown real power, and there is little to trust on the Reyes side. 

Pick: Campbell O/U: Under 1.5

## Josefine Knutsson -714 vs. Marnic Mann +440

Two Strawweights hungry for UFC success make their debut here. Josefine Knutsson comes in here after recently getting a win on the Contender Series that did not impress Dana White enough for an immediate contract; she showed a strong clinch attack in that fight, controlling it from start to finish. Marnic Mann is also a Contender Series veteran, although her outing was not very successful, being knocked out by Bruna Brasil after not being able to get her grappling going at all. 

I'm picking Knutsson here as she is better everywhere by a wide margin, which justifies this price.

Pick: Knutsson O/U: Over 2.5

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

Kevin Holland

Jasmine Jasudavicius 

Kevin Holland vs. Jack Della Maddalena Over 2.5 

Noche UFC Predictions

Joey Kolnicki

This weekend, we’ll receive a rare treat in that of a non-pay-per-view title fight. While there was once a time when this was an impossibility, the massive amount of events put on yearly in the modern era make this a reality. Today, we’ll look at every title fight in the last decade that was not on a pay-per-view card.

## Inaugural Women's Flyweight & Strawweight Title Fights

![esparza1.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/0035d614-ba5a-4330-977d-7f34a05fa500/public "Carla Esparza lands ground and pound on Rose Namajunas. Credit: MMA Fighting.")

These two get a joint entry, given how similarly they both occurred. The first-ever UFC Strawweight champion was crowned on the Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale in December 2014. Carla Esparza defeated Rose Namajunas via rear-naked choke but would lose it in her first defense against Joanna Jędrzejczyk. The first-ever UFC women’s Flyweight title bout took place at the finale of the Ultimate Fighter 26 in December 2017. Nicco Montano defeated Roxanne Modafferi by unanimous decision. Montano would become an infamous figure in women’s MMA, never defending her title, pulling out of a scheduled defense against Valentina Shevchenko, and promptly being stripped. 

## Valentina Shevchenko vs. Liz Carmouche

![shevchenkocarmouche (1).jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/1f8ad018-4843-4ec7-e028-e4d089f43d00/public "Valentina Shevchenko unloads a combination on Liz Carmouche. Credit: Bleacher Report.")

The then Women’s Flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko defended her title against Liz Carmouche on a non-pay-per-view card in August 2019. Coming off of arguably her most impressive title defense in her devastating knockout of Jessica Penne, it’s a bit surprising to see this on a Fight Night card. This card was also chock full of future talent, including but not limited to Chris Gutierrez, Marina Rodriguez, Ciryl Gane, Gilbert Burns, and Vicente Luque. Shevchenko defeated Carmouche via unanimous decision, holding on to her belt until her shocking defeat in 2023. 

## Joanna Jędrzejczyk vs. Gadelha/Penne

![joannapenne (1).jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/250984ca-f000-4f71-6697-9250a0029b00/public "Joanna Jędrzejczyk pieces up Jessica Penne. Credit: Bleacher Report.")

The Boogeywoman had two title fights on non-pay-per-view cards, both being defenses of her Strawweight title. She first faced Jessica Penne in a Fight Night main event in June 2015, defeating her via 3rd round TKO. For some reason, the UFC loves putting women’s title fights on TUF finales; Jędrzejczyk faced Claudia Gadelha at the Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale in July 2016. She won this bout by unanimous decision. Jędrzejczyk remained the champion until 2017 and called an end to her legendary career in 2022.

## Benson Henderson vs. Diaz/Melendez

![hendersonmelendez.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/e51cc6c2-8054-43fe-e722-28afdae4a300/public "Benson Henderson and Gilbert Melendez exchange blows. Credit: MMA Fighting.")

Benson Henderson has truly made a career of winning hard-fought decisions, which may unfortunately explain why two of his five UFC title fights were on non-pay-per-view cards. The first bout occurred in December 2012 when Henderson defended his Lightweight title against Nate Diaz. Henderson won via unanimous decision and would next defend his belt against Gilbert Melendez in April 2013, again on a non-pay-per-view card. Considering this was heralded as the unification bout for the Strikeforce and UFC Lightweight titles, it’s shocking that it received this treatment. Henderson defeated Melendez via Split decision. Maybe I have rose-tinted glasses, but these old Fight Night cards seemed to be far more stacked than they are now. Here are a few fighters who fought on the undercard of those two events: Daniel Cormier, Chad Mendes, Matt Brown, Alexander Gustaffson, Raphael Assuncao, and more. 

## Rafael Dos Anjos vs. Cerrone/Alvarez

![dosanjos1 (1).jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/1371bb58-499c-4dba-c2a2-f7354486a800/public "Rafael Dos Anjos cracks Donald Cerrone with a right hand. Credit: Bleacher Report.")

Arguably one of the most disrespected champions, two of Rafael Dos Anjos’ three Lightweight title bouts were not on pay-per-view cards. After defeating Anthony Pettis to win the strap, Dos Anjos’ first defense was against Donald Cerrone in a UFC on Fox card’s main event. He defeated Cerrone via 1st round TKO, winning the bout in just a minute and six seconds. The UFC rewarded him with another non-pay-per-view main event slot for his next title defense against Eddie Alvarez. The script would flip in this fight, with Alvarez defeating Dos Anjos via first-round TKO to win the belt. Although regularly regarded by the UFC as a former champion and legend, it’s a shame he wasn’t given the same respect when he held the title. 

## Dominick Cruz vs. Johnson/Dillashaw

![cruzdillashaw (1).jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/c1fbfe0f-b045-457a-b9de-2754cda83e00/public "Dominick Cruz throws a head kick at T.J. Dillashaw. Credit: Bleacher Report.")

From one of the most disrespected champions to one of the most highly regarded, it may be surprising to see Dominick Cruz on this list. Surprisingly, two of his five UFC title fights were on non-pay-per-view cards. The first was the second defense of his recently acquired UFC Bantamweight title when he faced Demetrious Johnson in October 2011. An oft-referenced fight between two men now regarded as greats, this was the first ever UFC title fight to air on free TV. Cruz defeated Johnson by unanimous decision but was forced to vacate due to injury and would end up with a three-year layoff. After a victorious 2014 return bout over Takeya Mizagaki, he was given a title shot against T.J. Dillashaw in January 2016. This bout was aired as a Fight Night main event, and Cruz would win via split decision. He’d lose the belt later that year to Cody Garbrandt but remains active in the Bantamweight division.

## Demetrious Johnson

![johnsonbenavidez (1).jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/a76f60c1-5a83-44d8-b848-14b01d434300/public "Demetrious Johnson throws a jab at Joseph Benavidez. Credit: Bleacher Report.")

Truly deserving of his own entry, Demetrious Johson defended his Flyweight title 11 times, with five defenses on free TV. His first-ever defense was against John Dodson in January 2013 on a UFC on Fox card. Johnson won via unanimous decision and would have his next defense against John Moraga in July 2013, once again main-eventing a UFC on Fox card. He’d win again, this time by fifth-round armbar, and would receive his next defense against Joseph Benavidez on a, you guessed it, UFC on Fox card. Johnson needed just over 2 minutes to knockout Benavidez and would secure five more title defenses after this, all on pay-per-view cards.

![johnsonelliot2.jpeg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/7e74df20-550f-42ee-1cc8-d5ae3feb9600/public "Demetrious Johnson applies a choke to Tim Elliot. Credit: MMA Fighting.")

To return to another theme in this article, Johnson defended his belt against Tim Elliot on the Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale in December 2016. In one of the more contested bouts of his title reign, Johnson won by unanimous decision and would get another free TV main event after this, being scheduled to defend his belt against Wilson Reis in April 2017. Johnson would gain his 10th consecutive title defense after defeating Reis by 3rd round armbar. It’s fascinating to consider how the UFC (notably Dana White) didn’t view him as a marketable fighter but never gave him much chance. Three of his first four title defenses were on non-pay-per-view cards, which suggests to the audience that the Flyweight title was of lesser stature than other belts in the promotion, only further damaging his marketability and the divisions.


UFC Title Fights That Weren't on PPV

## Noche UFC: Grasso vs. Shevchenko 2 Preview



The UFC is back in the T-Mobile Arena for a title rematch between former Women's Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko and the newly crowned queen Alexa Grasso. Grasso captured the title in a fourth-round upset victory when she faced Shevchenko earlier this year and brought a championship belt back to Mexico.    

This event will take place on Mexican Independence Day to celebrate the incredible athletes of the El Tri, such as Fernando Padilla, Daniel Zellhuber, Tracy Cortez, Lupita Godinez, Raúl Rosas Jr., and, of course, Alexa Grasso.   

Let us look at each fight as it appears on the VerdictMMA card.    




## Fernando Padilla vs. Kyle Nelson   



```iframe
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tw0YNQuntdQ?si=EJrdxA81ORg96MCW" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
```

Two Featherweight hopefuls go head-to-head to open the main card in a classic veteran vs. prospect matchup. Both men are coming off a big win in their previous outings, with Fernando Padilla's being a first-round knockout of Julian Erosa and Kyle Nelson getting the nod from all three judges when he faced Dana White's Contender Series veteran Blake Bilder.    

Kyle Nelson is currently 2-4-1 in the UFC with a professional record of 14-5-1 and very well could be competing to keep a UFC contract here. Although slightly excusable, as he has faced some of the best Featherweights, such as Jai Herbert, Billy Quarantillo, and Diego Ferreira, he still desperately needs a big win here to stay in the UFC.   

Fernando Padilla is easily one of the best new prospects hailing from Mexico. Padilla is a well-rounded fighter who can get it done anywhere, be it submission, knockout, or dominant decision; Padilla is more than capable.    

This fight should be exciting, and a finish is very likely, as only 13 of their combined 39 fights have gone to a decision.    

## Daniel Zellhuber vs. Christos Giagos   

```iframe
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hI4ko_T2OM0?si=gvvdXHJFOio6cR-L&amp;start=427" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
```

Daniel Zellhuber is a Dana White's Contender Series veteran who was awarded his contract after an exciting back-and-forth win over Lucas Almeida in 2021. In Zellhuber's UFC debut, he fell short on the judges score cards and received his first career loss against Trey Ogden. Zellhuber would return with an impressive win over fan-favorite Lando Vanatta to put himself back in the win column. Currently 1-1 in the promotion, Zellhuber is eager to score his first UFC finish and climb his way to a Lightweight title.    

Although relatively unknown to the masses, Christos Giagos has fought the who's who of Lightweights in MMA. In Giagos' UFC debut, he fought Gilbert Burns and lost by submission, which he followed up by going 1-1 and ultimately being let go from the promotion. After an exciting 6 fights on the regional scene, he was back, and this time, against Charles Oliveira. These two names are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the people he's faced: Thiago Moisés, Arman Tsarukyan, Drakkar Klose, Damir Hadžović, Josh Emmett, and Chris Wade, to name a few.    

Giagos is no stranger to a knockout or submission and is as well-rounded as they come. Giagos has a record of 20-10 (6-7 UFC) and will look to halt the hype train of the 13-1 Mexican when they meet in the Octagon.   

With another classic veteran vs. prospect matchup on our hands, this is a pivotal moment for both men involved.    

## Raúl Rosas Jr. vs Terrence Mitchell   


```iframe
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C-Z0KmkJ9SI?si=m1dn3QblpxmbMdab&amp;start=427" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
```

Raúl Rosas Jr. blasted onto the scene at 17 years old with a dominant win on Dana White's Contender Series, showcasing a mixed arsenal of flashy strikes and slick grappling. However, despite looking unstoppable in his first 7 professional fights, he received his first career loss earlier this year when he faced Christian Rodriguez at UFC 287. Rosas Jr. is an excellent jiujitsu practitioner, finishing 5 of his 7 wins by submission.    

Terrence Mitchell is a dominant finisher who has only seen one decision in his 14-year career. Of his 14 wins, 12 are in the first round, with a near-even split of knockouts and submissions. Mitchell made his UFC debut at UFC 290 when he faced South African standout Cameron Saaimon, with Saaimon ultimately getting the KO victory and ending Mitchell's 11-fight finish streak.    

Will Mitchell earn his first UFC win and end the hype of Rosas Jr. once and for all, or will Rosas Jr. get back in the win column and back on track to be the youngest champion ever?   



## (#13) Kevin Holland vs. (#14) Jack Della Maddalena   

```iframe
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1kHkavMgJAQ?si=DbPZMxU8n8Jh-hpp&amp;start=427" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
```


Two super exciting Welterweights fill the co-main event spot for this weekend's UFC Fight Night. Kevin Holland is an anywhere, anyone, any time sort of fighter who is known for his flashy knockouts and big mouth. However, Jack Della Maddalena is possibly the most impressive prospect the promotion has right now.    

Della Maddalena burst onto the scene after a striking masterclass he dished out on Dana White's Contender Series to secure himself a contract. Della Maddalena was looking unstoppable against everyone he faced; that was, however, until he fought UFC newcomer Bassil Hafez. Della Madalena had been scheduled to face Sean Brady, who subsequently pulled out due to injury, and was instead scheduled to face Josiah Harrell after Harrell had gone viral with a clip of him taking his opponent down through the cage door; however, Harrell did not pass his pre-fight medicals, and Bassil Hafez was given the shot with less than 24 hours notice. Della Madalena struggled with the new matchup, being someone utterly different from who he had trained for, but still narrowly edged the split decision to keep his win streak alive. 
Della Madalena has only been to 2 decisions of his 17-fight career and is exceptionally well-rounded.   

Kevin Holland made his short-notice debut against Thiago Santos in 2018, and since then, he has fought a ridiculous 19 times. When the pandemic came around, Holland was the one fighter who truly seized the opportunity in front of him by using the UFC Apex as a place to make himself a household name among MMA fans. Holland fought 5 times in 2020 and won every one, earning him the record for most wins in a calendar year. Not only has Holland fought a lot, but he has also fought some of the best: Ronaldo Souza, Joaquin Buckley, Derek Brunson, Marvin Vettori, Khamzat Chimaev, Stephen Thompson, Santiago Ponzinibbio, and Michael Chiesa.    

Holland has an insane resume for someone who has only been a pro since 2015, with 35 total fights and 21 finishes.    

Della Madalena has a huge test ahead of him in Kevin Holland, and if he gets through this, he will solidify himself as a top-level UFC fighter.    


## (C) Alexa Grasso vs. (#1) Valentina Shevchenko   

```iframe
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IFPDYYp_RNY?si=OqxNVyknnGNB9F6x&amp;start=427" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
```

The rematch is on! These ladies are officially set to run it back after Alexa Grasso snatched the title from Valentina Shevchenko in a huge upset victory earlier in the year. Grasso entered the bout as a +750 underdog and pulled off the unthinkable with a round 4 submission over the dominant champion.    


Shevchenko has ruled the Women's Flyweight division since it was established in 2018, racking up a 9-fight win streak with 4 knockouts, 1 submission, and 4 decisions. Shevchenko secured herself as one of the greatest female fighters ever after the legendary title run she had.   

Alexa Grasson seemingly came out of nowhere in 2017 and began her UFC career a little spotty; however, she scrapped together a nice 4-fight win streak to earn a shot at the title and proved all the doubters wrong with an exceptional finish to become a UFC champion.    

Grasso's professional record is 16-3 (8-3 UFC), and Shevchenko's is 23-4 (12-3 UFC).     

Will Shevchenko regain the title and clarify that she just had an off night, or will Grasso defend and prove she is where she belongs?     

What fight are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments below.    
     
## Best Bets by DougLas Vegas Bets:     

Holland/Della Maddalena Over 2.5     
      
Rosas Jr H2H -550           



Noche UFC: Grasso vs. Shevchenko 2 Preview

A top-15 matchup in the Lightweight division has just been confirmed, per David Van Auken. Grant Dawson will face Bobby Green as the headliner for UFC Fight Night 229 on October 7th inside the UFC Apex in Enterprise, Nevada.

**This five-round main event occurs in the Lightweight (155 lbs) division.**

Grant Dawson holds a professional record of 20-1-1 (8-0-1 UFC) and has notable wins over Damir Ismagulov, Mark Madsen, and Jared Gordon. He is ranked #10 in the Lightweight division.

Bobby Green is currently unranked in the Lightweight division and holds a professional record of 30-14-1-1NC (11-9-1-1NC UFC). He has noteworthy wins over Tony Ferguson, Al Iaquinta, and James Krause.

**Official odds have yet to be released.**

Grant Dawson is the dark horse of the Lightweight division. He's currently undefeated inside the UFC with five finishes and is coming off the biggest win of his career. At UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Magomedov, Dawson would serve as the co-headliner against Damir Ismagulov and would put on a grappling clinic against the Kazak, securing the victory via a dominant unanimous decision. He now goes for his ninth octagon victory in his first main event inside the promotion.

![grantd.webp](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/da9812da-a229-4636-8c30-1ef02c991500/pub "Grant Dawson landing a flush knee on the chin. Credits to: Jeff Botari - Zuffa LLC.")

Bobby Green is also coming off one of the most significant wins of his career. On the main card of UFC 291, Green would go toe-to-toe with fan favorite Tony Ferguson and would become the second man to submit Ferguson in the UFC, only achieved once prior by Nate Diaz. Green was comfortably in control the entire bout before securing a buzzer-beater submission with six seconds left in the round. Now, he'll look to get his first UFC victory in a main event slot.

![bobby-green.webp](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/0b199055-5f21-4df1-3d9b-846bf1f7a500/pub "Bobby Green cracking Tony Ferguson in his last bout. Credits to: Jeff Swinger - USA TODAY Sports.")

This is an unexpected but fun matchup in the Lightweight division, so who do you have winning? As a member of the Verdict Community, drop your prediction in the comments below.

Grant Dawson and Bobby Green Square Off on October 7th Headliner

A top-15 matchup has just been announced. Matt Schnell will face Steve Erceg at UFC 295 inside the MSG Arena in New York, New York, per Marcel Dorff.

**This fight takes place in the Flyweight (125 lbs) division.**

Matt Schnell holds a professional record of 16-7 (7-5 UFC) and is ranked #8 in the Flyweight division. He holds credible wins over Sumudaerji, Tyson Nam, and Louis Smolka.

Steve Erceg holds a professional record of 10-1 (1-0 UFC) and is ranked #14 in the Flyweight division. He holds notable wins over David Dvořák, Shannon Ross, and Soichiro Hirai.

**Official odds have yet to be released.**

Matt Schnell holds the reputation as one of the most entertaining fighters in the Flyweight division. Despite coming off a KO loss to Matheus Nicolau, Schnell is 6-3 in his previous bouts and is most known for his fight of the year and comeback of the year contender fight against Sumudaerji. Schnell would rally through an onslaught of blows and secure a triangle choke in the second round, his most significant win to date. He also won Fight of The Night honors in his bout before that against Brandon Royval at UFC 274. Schnell will be looking to secure the victory in this matchup, hoping to make a top-10 fight for himself next.

![schnel.webp](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/812e50c8-1f1d-41c2-dd6b-07030d3e9f00/pub "Matt Schnell in his Fight of The Night bout vs. Sumudaerji. Credits to: Ed Mulholland - USA TODAY Sports")

Steve Erceg is coming off one of the year's most impressive debuts. He'd face David Dvořák on the prelims of UFC 289, and on the biggest stage of his career, Erceg didn't disappoint. After a dominant three rounds, he secured a unanimous decision and a rare decision performance of the night bonus, showing just how impressive his debut was. Now firmly in the rankings, Erceg will be looking to climb into the top 10 with a win over the always-tough Schnell.

![erceg.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/662587e3-b442-463c-be13-c5fdb8514600/pub "Steve Erceg landing a headkick in his octagon debut. Credits to: Sergei Belski - USA TODAY Sports.")

This is a must-see matchup in the Flyweight division. Who do you have winning? As a member of the Verdict Community, let us know your prediction in the comments below.

Matt Schnell Welcomes Steve Erceg to the Top Ten in at UFC 295

The UFC heads down under for pay-per-view action from the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia, this weekend, headlined by Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya -588 defending his title against Sean Strickland +480. I broke down every fight on the card and gave my picks and bets, so let's get into it.

**Odds Provided by Stake.com Accurate as of 9/6/2023 12:50 PM EST**

## Israel Adesanya -588 vs. Sean Strickland +480

Our main event is a Middleweight title fight that should feature fast-paced action for as long as it lasts. Israel Adesanya is one of the best strikers in the sport, with phenomenal timing and a wide variety of kicks in his arsenal; he is coming off his spectacular knockout over Alex Pereira in their rematch earlier this year. Sean Strickland is a good pressure fighter with solid boxing behind a great jab; his cardio is also very good, with him being able to set a hard pace for five rounds, as he has shown against fighters like Jared Cannonier.

This is a good matchup for Adesanya, which is why he is such a large favorite; I see him picking Strickland apart for a decision win. 

Pick: Adesanya O/U: Over 4.5 -109

## Tai Tuivasa +180 vs. Alexander Volkov -208

A hometown hero gets the co-main spotlight here in this Heavyweight brawl. Tai Tuivasa is a brawler in every sense of the term; he has surprisingly fast hands, and his chin is rock solid, making him a must-watch anytime he fights. Alexander Volkov is a tall kickboxer who has competed at the top of the division for a long time, showing good hands and the ability to keep range.

I'm taking Tuivasa at these odds, as he has the power and durability to get the win at any point against an aging Volkov. 

Pick: Tuivasa O/U: Under 1.5 -115*

## Manel Kape -370 vs. Felipe dos Santos +310

Short notice replacement steps in to keep a Flyweight star on the card. Manel Kape has made a name for himself with a flashy style and big power for the division; his volume is low at times, but his game is very well-rounded. Felipe dos Santos steps in an undefeated prospect out of the famous Chute Boxe gym that features fighters like Charles Oliveira, and he fights precisely how you would expect a fighter out of that gym to fight, crazy pace and pressure all fight long.

Kape should win this one, as he has proven he is a top contender, and dos Santos has some work to do on his game. 

Pick: Kape O/U: Under 2.5 -185

## Justin Tafa -213 vs. Austen Lane +185

A Heavyweight matchup cut short the first time around gets another try here. Justin Tafa is a hard-hitting kickboxer who trusts his chin; he throws hard kicks that have knocked opponents out through the guard. Austen Lane has little MMA experience, but he is a decent athlete; his durability hasn't been great, with his losses all being first-round knockouts.

I had Tafa by knockout in the first matchup, and my opinion is largely unchanged with him now fighting at home.

Pick: Tafa O/U: Under 1.5 -222

## Tyson Pedro -103 vs. Anton Turkalj -110

Intriguing matchup here at Light Heavyweight. Tyson Pedro looks to bounce back after a tough showing against Modestas Bukauskas; he is very dangerous in round one but has no wins outside that, which is concerning. Anton Turkalj has been fun to watch; if nothing else, he is durable and has decent grappling, although his striking is poor, particularly on defense.

I'll take Pedro here as I give him the advantage wherever this fight goes early, and he should be able to get an early finish or a decision if his cardio holds up.

Pick: Pedro O/U: Under 2.5 -213

## Carlos Ulberg -263 vs. Da Un Jung +230

Light Heavyweight kickboxers clash here in this high-stakes matchup. Carlos Ulberg is a very powerful kickboxer who has been dominant of late with several quick knockouts over durable opponents. Da Un Jung is a big and powerful kickboxer; he has lost his last two, with him having been a significant favorite in his last one against Devin Clark, where he was outpaced.

I've backed Ulberg at some steep prices before, and I'll pick him again here as I see him getting a knockout early in this one.

Pick: Ulberg O/U: Under 1.5 -108

## Jack Jenkins -204 vs. Chepe Mariscal +180

It's a fun battle here at Featherweight featuring one of several Australian fighters on the card. Jack Jenkins has shown some good things in his UFC run with his now infamous leg kicks and a decent offensive wrestling game; others can hold him down when wrestled, as was shown against Jamall Emmers late in his last fight. Chepe Mariscal returns to his proper weight class after debuting at Lightweight against Trevor Peek in an epic fight where he dominated the larger man.

I'll lean with Mariscal here as this fight is closer than the odds indicate, with Mariscal having several possible paths to victory.

Pick: Mariscal O/U: Over 2.5 -204

## Jamie Mullarkey -250 vs. John Makdessi +220

Veteran Lightweight strikers go at it here. Jamie Mullarkey is a good kickboxer with lots of movement and high volume, although I don't trust his durability with him being knocked out several times. John Makdessi is a powerful and durable striker, although he can sometimes be low-volume, waiting for his opponent to give him an opportunity rather than pressing for one.

I'm picking Mullarkey, but at this price, with his durability concerns, this fight will be a pass from me, betting-wise. 

Pick: Mullarkey O/U: Over 2.5 -222

## Nasrat Haqparast -435 vs. Landon Quinones +360

This is a fun clash of Lightweights who like to put on a show. Nasrat Haqparast is a durable striker with nice hands and lots of forward pressure. Landon Quinones comes in off The Ultimate Fighter, where he looked bad on the show, losing early to Jason Knight in an early submission, but he is a dangerous striker when he gets going.

I'll pick Haqparast here as he is much more proven at this level, but these odds are too wide to do much with, as Quinones will be able to show his striking here. 

Pick: Haqparast O/U: Over 2.5 -143

## Blood Diamond +250 vs. Charlie Radtke -294

Interesting clash at Welterweight here early on the card. Blood Diamond has had a tough start to his UFC run; he is a dangerous kickboxer known for training with Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Charlie Radtke is a decent fighter with a well-rounded game, making his debut here, and I have questions about his durability, with him having been finished several times already in his career.

I'll go with Blood Diamond at this price, as he has power, and I think he can defend the takedowns enough to make this fight interesting. 

Pick: Diamond O/U: Under 2.5 -189

## Shane Young -169 vs. Gabriel Miranda +149

Two Featherweights looking for a big win, go at it here. Shane Young enters this looking to break a three-fight skid; he is a durable striker. Gabriel Miranda is a solid submission grappler who was given a nightmare matchup in his debut against Benoit Saint-Denis; even before that matchup, his striking has yet to look good to me.

I've got Young here as if he can avoid getting submitted, he should out-strike Miranda. 

Pick: Young O/U: Over 1.5 -196

## Kevin Jousset -147 vs. Kiefer Crosbie +130

It's a good battle here to kick things off between debuting Welterweights. Kevon Jousset is a tough kickboxer with a well-rounded offensive attack. Kiefer Crosbie is a tough brawler with solid experience outside of the UFC; he goes hard for the finish and is not afraid to get hit.

I like Jousset here as he should be able to keep a higher pace, and I give him the durability edge. 

Pick: Jousset O/U: Over 2.5 -109

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

Tai Tuivasa +180

Tyson Pedro -103

For a listing of the best UFC bettings sites, [visit our friends at The Plunters Page](https://www.thepunterspage.com/ufc-betting/).

UFC 293 Predictions

Season seven of Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS) is well underway, with plenty of new talent signing with the UFC and more to come. With the alums of the series growing stronger as the years go by, now is the perfect time to look at the DWCS fighters who have the most wins in the UFC.

## 7: Ricky Simon (8 Wins, 3 Finishes)

![ricky-simon-vs-shore.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/1bed2ee8-64ac-4ea6-67b7-a5cc1d4b1c00/pub "Ricky Simon finishing Jack Shore in his last win. Credits to: AP Photo - Gregory Payan.")

Our first alum is the #12 ranked Bantamweight Ricky Simon. Simon debuted in 2018 in a chaotic fight against Merab Dvalishvili, winning with a buzzer-beater guillotine choke in the final second of the third round. Since then, he's racked up victories against highly rated prospects and divisional veterans, such as Jack Shore and Raphael Assunção. Despite losing his last bout to Song Yadong, Simon is entering the prime years of his career and will be looking to break into the top 10 of the division in his next matchup, which is currently unconfirmed.

## 6: Maycee Barber (8 wins, 4 finishes)

![maycee-barber.webp](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/0c4f4c32-ca3a-451a-8592-09127fe48000/pub "Maycee Barber roaring after finishing Amanda Ribas. Credits to: David Yeazell - USA TODAY Sports.")

Our next entry with equal wins but an extra finish goes to "The Future" Maycee Barber. After an impressive display on the contender series, it was a no-brainer she'd be signed to the UFC, and she immediately started to live up to her nickname in the beginning, securing three TKO victories over Hannah Cifers, JJ Aldrich and Gillian Robertson. However, she'd hit a roadblock in her next few bouts, dropping decision losses to Roxanne Modafferi and Alexa Grasso. Fans weren't convinced in her next bout, where she was awarded an incredibly controversial split-decision win over Miranda Maverick. However, she's now riding an impressive five-fight win streak and looks to add more names to her resume as she climbs the rankings.

## 5: Grant Dawson (8 wins, 5 finishes)

![grantd.webp](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/da9812da-a229-4636-8c30-1ef02c991500/pub "Grant Dawson landing a flush knee on the chin. Credits to: Jeff Botari - Zuffa LLC.")

The final tied entry at the fifth spot goes to Grant "KGD" Dawson. Many fans have declared Dawson the dark horse of the Lightweight division, and after going 8-0-1 in the UFC with victories over Mark Madsen and Damir Ismagulov, it's clear to see why. The incredibly underrated grappler has been silently climbing his way into the rankings since his debut in 2019, where he beat Julian Erosa by unanimous decision. However, after struggling with making weight in the Featherweight division, Dawson would move up to Lightweight, where he is currently undefeated. Now ranked at #10 in the Lightweight rankings, a big matchup is undoubtedly on the horizon for Dawson.

## 4: Dan Ige (9 Wins, 4 Finishes)

One of the most exciting Featherweights around also holds the fourth-place spot on this list. Dan "50k" Ige debuted in 2018, which he lost via unanimous decision. However, the loss wouldn't deter Ige, and he went on a six-fight win streak, adding names like Edson Barboza and Mirsad Bektić to his resume. Since Ige entered the rankings and took a step up in competition, "50k" has dropped some decisions to the likes of Movsar Evloev and Calvin Kattar but has always stayed active and is now riding a two-fight win streak. His next scheduled bout is against Bryce Mitchell, where he'll look to get his tenth victory inside the UFC octagon.

![danige.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/ab25a92f-9de7-4fb2-a762-b60449c58e00/pub "Dan Ige weighing in before fighting Josh Emmett at UFC 269. Credits to: Carmen Mandato - Sportstar.")

## 3: Sean O'Malley (9 Wins, 6 Finishes)

The current Bantamweight Champion and UFC superstar Sean O'Malley has enjoyed a successful stay in the UFC, dropping just one loss to Marlon Vera across his entire career. After making a successful debut in 2017 and securing another win in 2018, O'Malley would be hit with a myriad of suspensions and, after going through hip surgery, wouldn't return until 2020. Since his return, O'Malley has terrorized the division, dominating opponents like Kris Moutinho and Raulian Paiva before competing against Former Champion Petr Yan and winning against him. His run to the title was capped off in August 2023, where he TKOed Aljamain Sterling in the second round to capture the throne, as fans eagerly await for his next matchup to be announced.

![seanomalley.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/3d6fac0c-ff31-4a10-5684-b1a77e6ae500/pub "Sean O'Malley after finishing Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292. Credits to: Bob DeChiara - USA TODAY Sports.")

## 2: Brendan Allen (10 Wins, 7 Finishes)

Middleweight veteran Brendan Allen hasn't enjoyed the popularity of some of the other fighters on this list, but that doesn't stop him from being an absolute killer in the Middleweight division. Allen made his debut in 2019, winning via submission against Kevin Holland. He's only dropped two losses throughout his UFC career and has a stacked resume, including Punahele Soriano, André Muniz, and Bruno Silva. Allen is an exceptionally active fighter who averages three bouts per year and already has his next fight booked against Paul Craig despite just fighting in July.

![ballen.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/e0e68277-bc21-42da-df27-9b66d09cda00/pub "Brendan Allen getting his hand raised. Credits to: David Yeazell - USA TODAY Sports.")

## 1: Kevin Holland (12 Wins, 9 Finishes)

The funny story with Kevin Holland is that he didn't even receive a contract from his DWCS bout, as Dana White said he was too cocky. But after a last-minute replacement was needed for Light-Heavyweight contender Thiago Santos, White wanted to see if Holland, who would need to move up a weight class, would take the fight. Holland did, and now, he's got twelve victories inside the octagon, including nine finishes, seven performance bonuses, a knockout of the year contender in 2020, and the record for most bouts in a calendar year. Kevin Holland remains one of the most active fighters in the UFC, averaging 3-4 fights per year. With a bout against Jack Della Maddalena coming up in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs. Shevchenko 2, Holland will be looking to separate his lead further and continue to add more names to his stacked resume.

![kholland.webp](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/9311502c-8bf3-406f-6cbe-8d8ed7a08000/pub "Kevin Holland after finishing Michael Chiesa. Credits to: Jeff Swinger - USA TODAY Sports.")

Were there any names that surprised you on this list? And who will be holding the record this time next year? As a member of the Verdict Community, let us know your thoughts in the comments below.