UFC 313 Preview

Main Card ~

Pereira vs Ankalaev - Ankalaev is taking his first UFC title shot during Ramadan, which means he can't eat or have fluids from sunup to sundown. So imagine how dedicated you have to be to your sport to train multiple times a day while having to deal with that. I also believe that after watching UFC Countdown, I realized that his coach might be misleading him because he says during the episode that all he has is one shot, and it's a left hook, which is incorrect. His strong leg kicks set everything up. I hope that Ankalaev comes into the fight in the form of Ramadan; if he does, his best path to victory is a takedown. But most of these guys' egos are too big and want to strike with the best striker on the planet, when there has only been one guy in the organization who has been able to knock him out. Poatan, on the other hand, has relocated to Cruz Gym, a gym recently founded by his longtime trainer and new Coach of the Year, Plinio Cruz. His key to victory will be takedown defense and managing distance well. 

Gaethje vs Fiziev II - This is a rematch from a fight they had at UFC 286. Their first fight was action-packed, with Justin throwing wild, no-setup leg kicks for most of the first round. After a rewatch, I hope that Whitman switches up the game plan for this one. I would like Justin to walk him down instead of looking to counter. He was a little too cautious in their first fight. For Fiziev, he needs to start much faster this time around. It seemed like he was a little gun-shy at the start of the fight, and in a three-round fight, that can't happen because there’s no time to make it up. I don't see this fight going the distance this time around; both throw way too hard to fight for 30 minutes without someone going out. 

Turner vs Bahamondes - An absolute firefight. Two fighters who either finish their opponent or get finished. Bahamondes is a hometown guy coming off a huge win at UFC Noche, where he won via TKO in the first round. He has great striking and is looking amazing as he enters his prime. If he develops a ground game that matches up with his dynamic striking, he will one day fight for a belt. Turner, on the other hand, has been fighting at the top of the division for a few years now. He is coming off a loss vs. Money Moicano at UFC 300. In that fight, he had him finished and tried to do a walk-off KO to earn some extra bonus money, but it backfired, and he stood back up. If Turner gets him down, I think he chokes him out, but he's been falling in love with his striking, so we might just see a kickboxing match between two tall, lanky fighters. 

Chicago MMA Fighters Muhammad,Bahamondes and Rodriguez standing with WWE legend Rey Mysterio

Lemos vs Lucindo - Lucindo has made a quick rise through the division after winning four straight fights following her debut loss, like the majority of fighters do. Lemos, on the other hand, is coming off a loss to Jandiroba, where she got caught in an armbar in the second round. Lemos has a stronger strength of schedule, and she tends to struggle with women who can take her down, which I’m not sure Lucindo will be looking to do. If this is a high-paced striking fight, they have a chance to steal the show. 

Green vs Ruffy - Bobby King Green is fun to watch, no matter who he is fighting against. This is a great way to open the main card. He also has a great dancing partner who will actually strike with him. Ruffy has 11 wins, with 10 of them by KO. This is an absolute way to set the tone for the card. If you're in the back and you see these two go to war before you, you have to go out and perform, or the crowd will let you know. I don’t see this fight hitting the ground unless someone gets knocked down. 

Prelims ~

Blaydes vs Kuniev - Blaydes is the most underrated heavyweight on the roster and has honestly been overlooked for a while because he has lost to the top guys. He’s fighting Kuniev, who is making his debut after coming over from PFL, where his last fight was overturned because he tested positive for a PED. He has finished 8 out of 12 of his wins, but I have doubts about the level of competition he has faced in his career up to this point. 

Van vs Tsuruya - Van is a flyweight that no one wants to fight, as you can tell by his opponent, another guy whom no one will fight. Van is a striker who loves to walk down his opponents in a sort of Philly shell type stance. Tsuruya is 10-0, with a win back in June in his debut. He has also finished 8 of his 10 wins, 4 by KO and 4 by submission. This might end up being the best fight of the night on the prelims, but we will see if this fight goes the distance.  

Ferreira vs Pertrosyan - Brunno has 12 wins, and every single one of them has ended in a finish. Armen is a great striker who is coming into this fight with his back against the wall after being finished in his last two fights. He will need to win, more than likely, to stay on contract. Brunno is also coming off a loss, where he was finished. They put together a great fight for this one, and I’m looking forward to these two explosive fighters coming off losses. 

Morono vs Leal - UFC mainstay Morono is fighting Leal, who is coming off an absolute robbery in his first fight since coming over from PFL. Morono will be making his 23rd walk to the Octagon. He lost his last two times out against Niko Price and D. Rodriguez. Leal is a heavy underdog in this fight, so expect him to come in with a chip on his shoulder. 

Early Prelims ~

Santos vs Marshall - The most recent Ultimate Fighter contestant, Marion Santos, will be making his debut against a grappler in Marshall. This will be the classic striker vs. wrestler fight, and I think it's a good test for last season's TUF winner. 

Gutierrez vs Castaneda - This is the second week in a row I don't understand the opener's placement on the card, but I won’t complain. Gutierrez is a good striker who has shared the octagon with some names at the top of the division.

Santos vs Diaz - Diaz, coming off a loss in his debut, is looking to bounce back against Santos, who won on the Contender Series last September. Both of these fighters have paths to victory in this matchup, but I would say if it stays a technical fight, Santos would have the edge. However, it wouldn’t shock me if Ozzy won at all. I just wonder about his cardio because he has never seen the final bell in his career.

Alex at UFC313 Press Conference