UFC Seattle Preview
UFC returns to Seattle for the first time since July of 2013, where Mighty Mouse destroyed John Moraga by landing 12 takedowns and finally finishing him late in the 5th round while defending his Flyweight title. Robbie Lawler was also on the card, where he notched a 2nd-round TKO over Bobby Voelker. The other fight of note was Gamebred Masvidal vs. Michael Chiesa, who was undefeated at the time and ruined the hometown kid's momentum. I expect fireworks in Seattle. I just wish Trex and some more guys from the area were on the card but its a good card nonetheless.
Cejudo vs. Song - Cejudo has lost both of his last two fights. In the UFC, even though those fights were against the former title holder and the guy who has the title right now. I kind of think that this line is a little too large in favor of Song, but that’s why we fight. Cejudo hasnt seen a striker like him in a few years on the hand Song hasn’t beat an Olympic level Wrestler.
Brenden Allen vs. Anthony Hernandez - Brenden Allen is coming off a UD loss to Imavov, the guy who knocked Izzy out a few weeks ago. Allen has five-round experience, but I struggle to think it will be enough to keep up with Fluffy Hernandez's pace and in-your-face style of fighting. This is the type of fight that real fight fans can’t wait to watch. If Allen is going to win, I would bet on him to win by finish because I don’t see him winning a decision against what is probably the best pace-setter in the division besides Khamzat.
Rob Font vs. Jean Matsumoto - Rob Font is another one of those guys who is down to fight you at any time and any place. He is coming off a win vs. Kyler Phillips, but before that, he had back-to-back losses vs. Figgy and Sandhagen. The last time he was matched up against an up-and-coming prospect, he turned back Adrian Yanez via 1st-round KO. Jean is coming in undefeated and coming off a win vs former TUF vet Brad Katona.
Jean Silva vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan - Jean Silva is coming off a great 2024 campaign where he went 3-0 with three finishes. The only negative you can say about him is that he missed weight one time. Melsik honestly looks good every time he fights, so this is no cakewalk. Both of these guys throw bombs so ill be very shocked to see this one see the final bell. This fight being so low on the card shows how good of a non PPV card this really is.
Alonzo Manfield vs. Julius Walker - I do not see this fight going the distance. You have two light heavyweights that rely on their explosiveness, power, and quick-twitch movements. Whoever lands big first will most likely win this fight. Julius Walker has been destroying dudes left and right on the regional scene so i’m not surprised that he skipped the contender series straight to the big show. Alonzo is fighting with his back against the wall for this one coming off back to back loses and if if he loses to a guy making his debut his UFC future might be up in the air, expect him to come out and make a statement
Andre Fili vs. Melquizael Costa - One of the few OGs left in this fighting game makes another walk to the octagon again, coming off a Fight of the Night-type performance vs. Cub Swanson. Costa is also looking to string wins together and achieve his first streak in the UFC. Expect most of this fight to take place on the feet, If Fili gas tank is good for this fight I would give him the slight edge in the striking.
Ion Cutelaba vs. Ibo Aslan- Dana moved this fight to the featured prelim spot on the card, which normally means that we are in for a firefight. I like Ibo here; Ion has a history of getting caught, and he’s fighting a go who only wins by Knockout. We will see if Ion experience inside of the Octagon will give him the edge in this one.
Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Eric McConico - Ruziboev is coming off a loss to Joaquin Buckley last May. Before that fight, he was awarded an early stoppage against Dumas overseas. McConico hasn’t lost in MMA since 2019. He also finishes most of his fights, but this guy he’s fighting usually has a very good chin. This is one of the more underrated fights on the card if your looking for a good fight to watch tune into this one
Ricky Simon vs. Javid Basharat- One half of the Basharat brothers will be making the walk this Saturday. He’s coming off two shaky performances, one of which was a no contest (NC) and the other a UD. I think this is a great spot for him to get back into the win column. While Ricky has been fighting top of the division level guys kind of like Alonzo he will be looking to make a statement because if he loses this fight that would be 4 losses in a row and UFC future may be in jeopardy
Nick Klein vs. Mansur Abdul-Malik - Former D1 wrestler at the University of Maryland and undefeated prospect Abdul-Malik will be looking to add another finish to his belt. He has all the tools to be a mainstay in the division and is fun to watch. Nick Klein, on the other hand, is going to be a tough out. After winning his Contender Series bout in the 1st round via rear-naked choke, he’s looking to bounce back.
Austin Vanderford vs. Nikolay Veretennikov - Austin Vanderford is making his UFC debut for the first time after winning his Dana White Contender Series bout back in 2018. He wasn’t signed then, went over to Bellator, where he would go on to achieve a respectable 5-2 record. He will be going against Nikolay, who is making his second trip to the octagon after losing to a good up-and-coming prospect, Danny Barlow via SD.
Modestas Bukauskas vs. Raffael Cerqueira - Bukauskas is in his second stint with the company after being signed back following a knockout of Chuck Campbell. He is coming off a finish win, so I’m not sure why he’s opening up a card like this, but I won’t complain because he’s not fighting in the Apex; that’s a plus. Raffael, on the other hand, is coming off a loss to Ibo, who is fighting in the featured prelim of the card.
