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

Douglas Vegas Bets

It is international fight week, and the UFC is putting on a stacked card of PPV action, headlined by the rematch between Light Heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and former champ Jiri Procházka. I went over every fight on this deep card to give my picks and best bets, so let's get into it.

**Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 6/24/2024**

## Alex Pereira -169 vs. Jiri Procházka +137

The Light Heavyweight title is on the line here as two devastating finishers meet again in our main event. Alex Pereira is on one of the most incredible runs in the sport's history, having used his world-class kickboxing to knock out four champions across two weight classes since joining the UFC; his grappling remains a weak point, although it has proven difficult to get past his striking to get him to the ground. Jiri Procházka looks for revenge here after having success early in the last matchup between these two before he was caught with a left hook and finished in round two; he has a very awkward striking style with explosive and dangerous techniques, often leaving himself open to take damage, especially from leg kicks, although he has insane durability and puts his trust in that often.

I'll take Procházka to win this time, as either man can be finished in the striking here, and if anyone is going to grapple, it will be Procházka giving me enough reason to take him at these odds.

Pick: Procházka O/U: Over 1.5 -192

## Brian Ortega +118 vs. Diego Lopes -145

Featherweights will put their grappling on display in this fun co-main clash. Brian Ortega looks to keep his momentum going here after showing he can still get the job done when he took on Yair Rodriguez earlier this year and survived an early scare to secure a submission victory with the choke game that he has become known for over his career; his striking is alright as well although he is hittable and relies on his toughness at times. Diego Lopes has taken the UFC by storm with three straight first-round finishes, showing that he has a dangerous submission attack and big power in his hands, although, from his time outside the UFC, he has shown a tendency to brawl in the standup and slow down when the finish doesn't come early.

I've got Ortega here, as he is the much more proven fighter with the skills to match Lopes anywhere the fight goes.

Pick: Ortega O/U: Over 1.5 -222

## Anthony Smith +124 vs. Roman Dolidze -152

An interesting matchup here at Light Heavyweight came together due to several cancellations around other scheduled fights. Anthony Smith is back here after a huge upset win over Vitor Petrino; despite the quick finish last time out, it remains clear Smith has seen his best days with his striking slowing down and trouble getting up from the bottom position. Roman Dolidze steps up in weight here for this short-notice matchup; he is a powerful puncher with very slick grappling, although he is low volume when striking and rarely pursues takedowns.

I lean towards Dolidze to find a finish here, as he is a strong and crafty fighter. However, I am not interested in betting on this fight because of its short-notice nature and uncertainty around Dolidze at his new weight.

Pick: Dolidze O/U: Under 2.5 +105

## Mayra Bueno Silva -133 vs. Macy Chiasson +109

Bantamweight contenders square off here in this matchup with big title implications. Mayra Bueno Silva looks to bounce back from missing her chance at the title here; she is a dangerous submission artist with a very slick choke game, although she can accept bad positions in search of the finish, which costs her when fights go longer. Macy Chiasson is a big fighter for the weight with a solid clinch game, although she has struggled when stepping up in competition, having been finished by Raquel Pennington and Irene Aldana. 

I'll pick Silva to get a submission here, as there should be plenty of opportunity, and I can't trust Chiasson.

Pick: Silva O/U: Under 2.5 +155

## Ian Garry -132 vs. Michael Page +108

Welterweight strikers open the main card here in this highly anticipated matchup. Ian Garry looks to stay perfect here using his high-paced striking attack, which includes a wide range of weapons with strong low kicks and fast hands; his durability remains a slight question mark, however, as Song Kenan dropped him badly, although he recovered to finish that fight and has had no other issues. Michael Page looks to build off an impressive UFC debut here with his unique, striking style that features a lot of in-and-out movement with fast, straight punches. 

I really like Garry in this spot. We have traditionally had to pay a much steeper price to play him, and his youth and volume striking give him some significant advantages here. 

Pick: Garry O/U: Over 2.5 -270

## Joe Pyfer -270 vs. Marc-Andre Barriault +210

Middleweights looking to bounce back from a loss clash here. Joe Pyfer is a big puncher who came into the UFC and scored three straight finishes before his last fight against Jack Hermansson, where he showed some cardio issues when he was unable to finish the craft veteran early. Marc-Andre Barriault is a high-pace grinder with solid boxing and a strong clinch game; he's also proven rather durable, having only one knockout loss over his career.

I've got Pyfer to get a knockout here, although I still think he wins if the fight gets extended, as he will likely pace himself better after the experience of his last outing.

Pick: Pyfer O/U: Under 2.5 -128

## Cub Swanson +185 vs. Andre Fili -233

Featherweight veterans with a long history of fun fights between the two of them go head to head in this one. Cub Swanson is a slick striker who has put on some insane fights and has quite the highlight reel of finishes, although he is now over forty years old and has been inconsistent in recent performances. Andre Fili is a boxer with a fun style, although he has suffered several early knockout losses when facing power punchers like Joanderson Brito and Dan Ige.

I lean with Fili to get a finish here as he is much younger and was on a great run before facing Dan Ige.

Pick: Fili O/U: Under 2.5 -105

## Charles Jourdain -125 vs. Jean Silva +102

Featherweight strikers will look to put on a show in this fantastic matchup. Charles Jourdain is a kickboxer with a fun style and a dangerous submission game; he keeps a high pace throughout fights and shows the ability to finish early and late. Jean Silva is a big puncher coming off an early knockout in his debut, although he has shown to slow down later in fights before his UFC run, having rarely gotten wins outside of round one.

I like Jourdain here, as he will be the higher-volume striker and has been durable during his UFC run, making it likely the fight will get extended, where he will likely have a cardio advantage.

Pick: Jourdain O/U: Over 2.5 -149

## Payton Talbott -1429 vs. Yanis Ghemmouri +800

Showcase matchup here for a young Bantamweight to keep an eye on. Payton Talbott has become one of the hottest prospects in all of MMA since his breakout performance against Cameron Saaiman, where he showed a very patient and high IQ approach that led to a dominant knockout win. Yanis Gemmouri is a solid kickboxer with good kicks, although he has yet to show much to prove that he belongs at the UFC level. 

Talbott is this size a favorite for a reason, but the price has gotten to a point where he is impossible to play straight, so if you are looking to bet this fight, I would recommend trying round two or props on Talbott as he has never had a round one finish before and did score a submission in his UFC debut. 

Pick: Talbott O/U: Under 1.5 +107

## Michelle Waterson-Gomez +144 vs. Gillian Robertson -179

Strawweight veterans square off in this interesting clash of styles. Michelle Waterson-Gomez is a very experienced fighter with a good kicking game, although she enters this one after losing six of her last seven fights. Gillian Robertson is a strong grappler with a great submission game, having finished three of her last four opponents on the ground. 

At these odds, I lean toward Waterson-Gomez as the underdog as, despite her losing streak, it has been against top-tier competition, and she has a clear striking advantage here.

Pick: Waterson-Gomez O/U: Over 2.5 -169

## Andrei Arlovski +220 vs. Martin Buday -278

A former Heavyweight champ is back in the octagon in this one, taking on another younger opponent. Andrei Arovski has stayed active for a very long time, adapting a slow-paced striking style that makes others match his pace. His age is a concern at this point, with him being 45 and coming off three straight losses. Martin Buday has had a solid UFC run on paper, although he has consistently faced low-level competition, and his last fight against Shamil Gaziev ended with him getting beat up badly.

The best bet for this fight is likely the over, with neither man being a very dangerous finisher, but I lean toward Buday as the pick despite his rough last performance.

Pick: Buday O/U: Over 2.5 -192

## Carlos Hernandez +340 vs. Rei Tsuruya -455

An undefeated Flyweight makes his debut here in this fun fight. Carlos Hernandez has had some fun fights and proven to be a solid all-around fighter, although he has been finished when facing tougher competition like Allan Nascimento and Tatsuro Taira. Rei Tsuruya is an unbeaten finisher who comes into this off winning the Road to UFC tournament to earn a contract over other prospects from Asia.

I'll pick Tsuruya here, although it is tough to pay this steep a price for him when he is facing an opponent with much more high-level experience.

Pick: Tsuruya O/U: Under 2.5 -182

## Ricky Simon -227 vs. Vinicius Oliveira +180

Bantamweights open the card in this big test for a fun prospect. Ricky Simon is a strong wrestler with solid boxing, but he is coming into this off back-to-back losses to other up-and-comers. Vinicius Oliveira comes in off a wild debut win where he scored an insane third-round knockout, showing his toughness and ability to keep a pace through three rounds.

I'm taking Simon here as I feel his wrestling and experience will be too much for Oliveira right now.

Pick: Simon O/U: Over 2.5 -120

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

Jiri Procházka +150 

Brian Ortega +130 

Ian Garry -115

Joe Pyfer (-200) + Payton Talbott (-800) -145

UFC 303 Odds Breakdown

Middleweights Robert Whittaker and Ikram Aliskerov will clash this weekend from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to headline the UFC's first-ever event in the country. I went over every matchup on this stacked card of action to give my predictions and best bets, so let's get into it.

**Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 6/20/2024**

## Robert Whittaker -149 vs. Ikram Aliskerov +122

A short-notice swap of a fighter from last week saves our Middleweight main event. Robert Whittaker has been at the top of the division here for many years, using his very clean striking style along with a solid wrestling attack to take down many of the other contenders with ease; his durability is a slight concern at this point with him having been knocked out and hurt many times, but he was able to recover in his last fight with Paulo Costa after being wobbled. Ikram Aliskerov takes a massive step up in competition here on short notice after originally being scheduled to fight last weekend; he has used his powerful striking to earn two quick knockouts to start his UFC career, but he also has a phenomenal ground game that he showed before he was signed. 

I've got Whittaker here as he is a very difficult task for any fighter, let alone one on a week's notice with no wins over any ranked competition yet.

Pick: Whittaker O/U: Over 2.5 -175

## Sergei Pavlovich -238 vs. Alexander Volkov +190

Knockout artists collide in this must-see Heavyweight co-main event. Sergei Pavlovich is a devastating knockout puncher who had finished six straight opponents in round one before losing to Tom Aspinall for the title last year. Alexander Volkov is a very tall fighter with good kickboxing, utilizing many different weapons on the feet, and against Tai Tuivasa, he showed he has an underrated grappling attack as well.

I'll pick Pavlovich, but my bet is the under, as Pavlovich has never left the first round in his UFC career, and I expect that trend to continue with him appearing to be in tremendous shape.

Pick: Pavlovich O/U: Under 1.5 -154

## Kelvin Gastelum -250 vs. Daniel Rodriguez +195

The weight issues changed this bout to a Middleweight contest between two veterans with good hands. Kelvin Gastelum has shown his amazing potential as a very high-volume striker with a granite chin and wrestling background, although the lack of discipline and consistency has to be a concern, with him being the reason this fight is taking place above the scheduled weight class. Daniel Rodriguez is back and looking to show his solid boxing attack again after suffering back-to-back stoppage losses against tough competition in Ian Garry and Neil Magny.

I lean towards Rodriguez at this price, with him being able to match Gastelum anywhere and seemingly being more prepared for this fight. I also used the over 2.5 rounds as a parlay piece, with both men historically being durable and not having to cut much weight.

Pick: Rodriguez O/U: Over 2.5 -263

## Shara Magomedov -625 vs. Antonio Trocoli +420

After several changes of opponents, we will see a fan favorite again in this clash at Middleweight. Shara Magomedov is a lightning-fast striker with big power in both his kicks and hands, although he showed some issues when forced to wrestle in his debut against Bruno Silva. Antonio Trocoli makes his debut here on just a few day's notice, he is a solid submission grappler but has yet to face much high level competiton.

I'm going with Magomedov to find a knockout here as he has been prepared to fight, and his opponent is not very high level from what I have seen.

Pick: Magomedov O/U: Under 1.5 -152

## Johnny Walker -110 vs. Volkan Oezdemir -111

Light Heavyweights known for producing fast finishes open the main card here. Johnny Walker is a massive and explosive finisher with big knockout power and a level of creativity to his strikes that can cause opponents issues, although his durability is always a concern, with him having been knocked out many times now and in his last fight with Magomed Ankalaev. Volkan Oezdemir returns here after some time off after his last fight, which was a win over Bogdan Guskov; since his run to a title shot, Oezdemir has seen a lot of close decisions with his solid boxing but lack of high pace. 

I lean towards Walker here as he has been more active, will have the physical advantages, and has looked pretty good over the last few years, with his last fight being the exception.

Pick: Walker O/U: Over 2.5 +123

## Nasrat Haqparast -244 vs. Jared Gordon +195

Experienced Lightweights square off in this interesting matchup. Nasrat Haqparast is a boxer with fast hands that he used to stop Jamie Mullarkey early in his last fight to extend his win streak to three; he has been outwrestled before against guys like Dan Hooker, but that was several years ago. Jared Gordon is a tough veteran with solid hands and a good grappling game that he mixes in with that; his chin isn't the best, but he has solid striking defense and good cardio. 

This is a close fight, so at this price, I lean towards Gordon, who should be able to keep the striking close and will have the grappling upside, although the finishing upside is with Haqparast here.

Pick: Gordon O/U: Over 2.5 -217

## Muhammad Naimov -143 vs. Felipe Lima +117

It's one of several short-notice fights on the card here at Featherweight. Muhammad Naimov is a powerful puncher who has started his UFC career with three wins, although he used some unethical techniques to get it done against Nathaniel Wood and was behind before getting the knockout of Jamie Mullarkey. Felipe Lima steps in here on short notice as a high-paced striker who is improving ground game training at Allstars in Sweden, along with the likes of Khamzat Chimaev. 

I'll pick Lima here as he is an interesting fighter to watch, and I don't rate Naimov highly despite his win streak.

Pick: Lima O/U: Under 2.5 -110

## Rinat Fakhretdinov -345 vs. Nicolas Dalby +265

Welterweight grapplers collide in this fun matchup. Rinat Fakhretdinov is a very strong wrestler who pushes a hard pace, as he showed in his very impressive win over Bryan Battle, where he controlled the fight for all three rounds on the ground; his striking is also solid with decent power in his punches, although Elizeu Zaleski nearly finished him late in that matchup. Nicolas Dalby comes in off a big comeback over Gabriel Bonfim, where he showed his toughness in surviving early before finishing an exhausted Bonfim with flurries of punches.

I've got Fakhretdinov to take a decision here as I see him having success with his wrestling attack throughout the fight, although Dalby remains a very durable opponent who I believe will see the final bell.

Pick: Fakhretdinov O/U: Over 2.5 -204

## Muin Gafurov -161 vs. Kyung Ho Kang +132

Bantamweights looking to get back on track will battle it out here. Muin Gafurov has had a rough start to his UFC run, coming in off an early loss to Said Nurmagomedov, although he is a solid striker with good power, having ten knockouts on his record. Kyung Ho Kang is a very well-rounded fighter with good striking fundamentals and a dangerous submission attack that he has used to earn four finishes in the UFC.

I like Kang as the underdog here as I see him being able to compete in the striking and having a clear advantage when the fight hits the ground.

Pick: Kang O/U: Under 2.5 +150

## Magomed Gadzhiyasulov -323 vs. Brendson Ribeiro +250

Light Heavyweight finishers clash here early on the card in what should be a fantastic fight. Magomed Gadzhiyasulov makes his debut here as a very dangerous finisher with a well-rounded skill set, having used his powerful striking and dominant wrestling attack to build a perfect record after eight fights. Brendson Ribeiro looks to bounce back from a tough debut where he was finished in the first round by

I like Gadzhiyasulov here as I expect him to have every advantage here and find an early finish, so I used him as a parlay piece with the price being so steep.

Pick: Gadzhiyasulov O/U: Under 1.5 -227

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

Robert Whittaker -130

Kyung Ho Kang +140

Sergei Pavlovich vs. Alexander Volkov Under 1.5 -130

Rinat Fakhretdinov by Decision +105

Magomed Gadzhiyasulov (-310) + Gastelum vs Rodriguez Over 2.5 (-265) -122

UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov Odds Breakdown

Joey Kolnicki

The UFC returns to Saudi Arabia with a fantastic Fight Night card. From top to bottom, the card is stacked with exciting matchups. While the main card is excellent, there are fights on the prelims that are overlooked, particularly Fakhretdinov vs. Dalby. 

**This fight takes place in the Welterweight (170 lbs.) division.**

Rinat Fakhretdinov has a professional record of 21-1-1 and has won four of his last five fights with one draw. He has UFC victories over Kevin Lee, Bryan Battle, and Andreas Michailidis.

Nicolas Dalby has a professional record of 23-4-1 and has won four of his last five outings. He has UFC victories over Gabriel Bonfim, Muslim Salikhov, and Daniel Rodriguez. 

![fakhretdinov2.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/dd053d23-d3b7-47c8-1d26-15def1f92600/public "Rinat Fakhretdinov walks off after choking out Kevin Lee. Credit: MMA Fighting.")

Fakhretdinov is a well-rounded, dominant wrestler with one-shot knockout power. His striking sets up his grappling, constantly throwing looping hooks and overhands before closing space and pursuing takedowns. He’s powerful, capable of impressive slam takedowns and is very active in top position, constantly working to improve or throw ground and pound. Fakhretdinov has excellent wrist control, rarely allowing his opponents to attempt offense off their back. Training at American Top Team, he’s averaging over four takedowns landed per fifteen minutes and won’t often waste much time on the feet before looking for takedowns. He has the rank of Master of Sport in combat sambo and is very efficient on the feet and the ground, never wasting energy. 

![dalby2.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/095160ce-2274-4dcc-9f88-d7f49a5e4800/public "Nicolas Dalby fires a left hook at Jesse Ronson. Credit: DraftKings Network.")

 Dalby is a cardio monster, in perpetual motion and constantly pushing the pace. Favoring volume to power, he throws everything in combination and continuously switches stances, always entering the pocket from different angles. He varies his shots well, attacking the head and body evenly, never telegraphing anything. Dalby is averaging just over one takedown landed per fifteen minutes and has excellent clinch control, often wearing his opponent down against the fence with knees and elbows. Training at Rumble Sports, he’s never been finished and never stops coming at his opponent, constantly moving forward and unloading punches. He has solid takedown defense to back up his offensive grappling and is comfortable wherever the fight goes. 

![dalby3.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/a8947ba6-69f1-42f7-9ad7-967f20699800/public "Nicolas Dalby closes the distance against Gabriel Bonfim. Credit: MMA Fighting.")

This is a fight you definitely won’t want to miss.


Verdict's Sleeper Fight of the Week: Fakhretdinov vs. Dalby

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

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

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. 
