Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Eryk Anders

Marc Andre- Barriault throws a hook at Julian Marquez. Credit to: Zuffa LLC.

Barriault has won three of his last five fights, with his best victories coming over Julian Marquez (9-4-0) and Jordan Wright (12-5-0). Barriault is a striker, preferring to stay in the pocket and brawl. “Power Bar” has solid power in both hands and will also mix in leg kicks in his constant pursuit of a finish. When the fight hits the ground, he’s shown decent top control and throws equally as big shots as he does on the feet, proven by the complete lack of submissions on his record. Barriault has solid defensive wrestling, having a takedown defense percentage of 70%. Training at a great camp in Sanford MMA, he has shown solid cardio recently, landing over 100 strikes in three of his last four wins. Although his cardio has looked good lately, he isn’t a volume striker, often blitzing forward to throw power shots, especially with his right hand.

Anders has won two of his last five outings with one no-contest and has wins over Kyle Daukaus (11-4-0), Gerald Meerschaert (35-15-0), and Brendan Allen (20-5-0). Anders is a particularly big middleweight with serious power in both hands, usually favoring his left. Anders will often dip his head and throw overhands and is always looking to set up big shots on the feet. He rarely throws kicks and is always looking to get into the pocket and let his hands fly. Training at Fight Ready, Anders is averaging over one takedown landed per fight and will often shoot early. If he takes the fight to the mat, he’s tough to shake off and focuses on landing damage instead of seeking a submission. Anders has skills off his back and solid takedown defense, having defended 75% of takedowns attempted on him in the UFC. Seven of his nine career finishes came in the first round, so Anders is at his most dangerous early in the fight.

Dan Ige vs Nate Landwehr

Dan Ige throws a jab at Damon Jackson. Credit to: Cageside Press.

Ige has found victory in two of his last five bouts and holds wins over #14 ranked featherweight Edson Barboza (23-11-0), Gavin Tucker (13-2-0), and Damon Jackson (22-5-1). Ige is a brawler with serious power inside the pocket and excellent technical boxing. He uses great footwork and constantly varies his attacks, going to the head and body evenly. While he primarily uses his hands to land damage, he also possesses powerful kicks, which he’ll often throw naked or at the end of combinations. Ige throws every shot with power and deadly intent and has the one-shot knockout ability. Although more known for his striking, Ige has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has landed a takedown in seven of his eight victories in the UFC. While he won’t often initiate grappling exchanges, he has shown great defensive grappling and is always active on the ground, never staying in one spot.

Landwehr has won four of his last five fights, with wins over Darren Elkins (28-11-0), Ludovit Klein (19-4-1), and David Onama (10-2-0). Landwehr is a brawler who’s more than willing to eat a shot to land one. He’s always coming forward and pursuing a finish, using excellent clinch striking and becoming more dangerous as the fight continues. Landwehr does a great job of wearing his opponents out and making them fight his fight, turning every bout into a knock-down, drag-out affair. He’s also a solid grappler, averaging over one takedown landed per fight in the UFC and 86% takedown defense. He’s active on top, constantly looking to land ground and pound or secure a choke. Landwehr has shown good cardio and volume in his promotional tenure, averaging about 85 strikes landed in his last four wins.

Mike Malott vs. Adam Fugitt

Mike Malott cracks Mickey Gall with a hook. Credit to: ESPN.

Malott is undefeated in his last five bouts, with his UFC victories coming over Mickey Gall (7-5-0) and Yohan Lainesse (9-2-0). Malott is dangerous on the feet with a solid kicking game and one-shot knockout power. He’s very technical and accurate, throwing every shot with purpose and plenty of power. He has great footwork and typically throws in combination, supplying his opponent with a healthy dose of hooks and overhands. Malott also does an excellent job of entering and exiting the pocket, often able to land and return to the outside before his opponent can return fire. He’s a solid grappler with good wrestling and tremendous pressure on top. Similar to his striking, he stays technical and patient on the ground, looking for openings and quickly advancing position.

Fugitt has found victory in four of his last five outings, with his UFC win coming over Yusaku Kinoshita (6-2-0). Fugitt is a classic Muay Thai striker who starts aggressively, usually opening up the fight with a handful of kicks. Despite this aggression, he stays technical and constantly feints and changes angles. He always keeps his guard tight and presses forward, looking for openings to land big shots. Fugitt has shown a solid chin and uses his length to his advantage, often landing damage from the outside, but he has excellent clinch striking. He is a solid wrestler, often using trips or clinch takedowns to get the fight to the mat. When on the ground, he has good top control as well as ground and pound and will grab a choke if the opportunity is presented.

Beneil Dariush vs. Charles Oliveira

Beneil Dariush attempts a heel hook on Tony Ferguson. Credit to: MMA Mania.

Oliveira has won four of his last five outings, with title victories against #5 ranked lightweight Michael Chandler (23-7-0), #2 ranked lightweight Dustin Poirier (28-7-0), and #3 ranked lightweight Justin Gaethje ((23-4-0) say what you want, this was a title defense). Oliveira could be the most well-rounded fighter of all time, with some of the most deadly BJJ in the UFC and absolute bricks for hands. It truly doesn’t matter where the fight ends up; his opponent is never safe, whether he’s on top, bottom, or standing up. While he established himself as a submission artist, Oliveira has rounded out his game, adding some excellent Muay Thai to his skillset. Averaging over two takedowns landed per fight and nearly three submission attempts per fight; it’s given to see grappling in an Oliveira fight. Training at Chute Boxe, he has proven his ability to stay calm in deep waters, regularly getting dropped in his fights only to come back and find a way to win.

Dariush has won all of his last five bouts, coming into this fight on an eight-fight win streak with victories over #7 ranked lightweight Mateusz Gamrot (22-2-0), Tony Ferguson (26-8-0), Diego Ferreira (17-5-0). Dariush is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the UFC, holding black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai. Dariush is more than willing to brawl on the feet, regularly getting into slugfests and hanging in the pocket to land big shots. Training at Kings MMA, Dariush will throw kicks when at range and also has some solid knees in the clinch. Averaging about two takedowns landed per fight, and one submission attempted per fight, his easiest route to victory is likely grappling, possessing excellent top control and wrestling. Dariush will shoot for takedowns in the open but stays patient on top, never putting himself in compromising positions. He also has excellent takedown defense, defending 81% of takedowns attempted on him during his 7-year UFC tenure.

Amanda Nunes vs. Irene Aldana

Irene Aldana lands a body shot on Ketlen Vieira. Credit to: Zuffa LLC.

Aldana has won 4 of her last five bouts and holds wins over #4 ranked Bantamweight Ketlen Viera (13-2-0), #6 ranked bantamweight Yana Santos (14-6-0), and #8 ranked bantamweight Macy Chiasson (9-3-0). Aldana is about as pure of a boxer as you see in MMA these days, using practically just her hands and very rarely throwing kicks. Aldana is patient on the feet, never overextending or getting reckless, but puts power into each shot and doesn’t seem content to point fight. Her most dangerous weapon is her left hook, which she used to gain two first-round knockouts in her last three wins. Aldana isn’t the most physically intimidating, making her power a bit deceptive, as it seems opponents don’t give her the respect she deserves, then wake up on the mat. Training at Lobo Gym MMA, she makes great use of footwork and head movement to avoid damage while averaging over five significant strikes landed per minute.

Coming into this bout with four wins in her last five appearances, Nunes hasn’t fought for anything other than a title in 7 years. Holding wins over legends such as Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, and Valentina Shevchenko, Nunes has placed herself firmly at the head of the sport. Training with Team Nunes, she is excellent in practically every facet of the sport. She possesses one-shot KO power and a dangerous submission game, so she can finish the fight anywhere. With five of her ten title victories ending in the first round, Nunes is typically a quick starter and wastes no time landing damage on her opponent. While incredibly dangerous on the feet, she averages over two takedowns landed per fight and will throw brutal ground and pound before pursuing submissions. Nunes holds a plethora of UFC records, including but not limited to; most wins in women’s title fights, most finishes in women’s history, and the longest combined UFC title reign at 3599 days.

Best Bets:

Malott vs. Fugitt does not go the distance.

Ige by knockout or decision.

Nunes by Submission.