This Saturday the UFC returns to Abu Dhabi, with two title fights, Sugar Sean, and many other fighters who are trying to earn there chance to fight for the belt. All 13 fights are expected to bring fireworks, you don’t want to miss it.
How To Watch
- ESPN+ PPV
- Prelims 11AM
- PPV 1PM
Main Card + Prelim Main Event.
Everyone always focuses on the Main Card, when the prelims are usually the best action on the entire card. All of these prelims have big name fighters who could easily be on the backend of any main card any weekend. All of these guys want to make a name for themselves, which usually results in these fights delivering the best knockouts.
Here’s the best Prelim fight of the week.Prelim Best Fight: #5-Belal Muhammad (21-3) Vs #8-Sean Brady (15-0)
Dana White loves throwing in a huge fight as the last fight before the main card which he delivered with again this weekend. Belal Muhammad comes in as the #5 ranked welterweight, and faces the toughest test he’s had. Over his last eight fights he has won, 6 by unanimous decision, winning another one by submission. In early 2021 he fought current welterweight champion Leon Edwards, it finished in a no contest after Muhammad was unable to continue after multiple accidental eye pokes.
This fight will be a test for both fighters, who both have no problem going the distance if it means they will generate a win. Muhammad has more experience and I think his previous fights will have him ready for war against undefeated Brady. Look for this to be a 15 minute thriller that ends with Muhammad winning by split decision.
Fight Winner: Belal Muhammad (+115)
Main Card
Fight #5- #1-Kaitlyn Chookagian (18-4) Vs #6-Manon Fiorot (9-1)
No idea who either of these girls are but these fights always deliver on the Main Cards. Just from doing a little research I can tell these fighters don’t have lots in common. Fiorot looks for the knockout, while Chookagian plays it technical not having any problem winning by decision. Although I don’t know much I have to favor Manon Fiorot, whose riding a 9 fight win streak after losing in her first pro fight. She promised this fight won’t be boring and the winner will find themselves fighting for the title in there next fight. Even though she’s fighting the #1 contender, Fiorot finds herself as a -200 favorite. I’m predicting a 2nd round TKO for Fiorot earning her a title fight against Valentina Shevchenko.
Fight Winner: Manon Fiorot (-200)Fight #4- (6)-Beneil Dariush (22-4-1) Vs (9)-Mateusz Gamrot (21-1)
Whoever wins this fight instantly becomes one more win away for fighting for the belt. A loss on the other hand will be a major setback that could be tough to overcome in this loaded division. Dariush comes into this fight off a dominating win over UFC legend Tony Ferguson. He’s been around the UFC forever but finds himself on his best upswing, winning his last 7 fights. Over those 7 wins, 2 were by knockout, 2 were by submission, and 2 were by decision. He knows how to get the win in many ways which could benefit him greatly in a fight against a guy like Gamrot.
Gamrot finds himself on a 4 fight win streak after falling in a split decision in his UFC debut. Just like Dariush he also finds himself able to win in all the different ways.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the fight of the night, both fighters can not afford to lose. Easily can see this fight going both ways, but I think Dariush pulls out this win in dramatic fashion.
Fight Winner: Beneil Dariush (+160)
Fight #3- (11)-“Sugar” Sean O’Malley (15-1) Vs (1)-Peter “No Mercy” Yan (16-3)
Although this is the third fight on the main card, this fight will generate the most PPV buys for this stacked card. Sugar Sean easily has his biggest fight in his young UFC career when he fights #1 ranked and former champion Peter Yan. Sugar Sean always has had a vision of becoming the biggest UFC fighter from the second he stepped into the octagon on DWCS. Snoop could tell he was a star from the start, and O’Malley delivered a “walk off” knockout which was only the beginning for the UFC star.
Sean O’Malley is completely different then all other UFC fighters. He has that McGregor feel to him. I’m not saying he’s as good as Connor was, but he knows how to make people watch his fights and people love to see him. A win this weekend would earn him a future title shot, which would send his value skyrocketing.
Pater Yan
The only thing standing in his way is former champion Peter Yan, who is desperate for another chance at earning his belt back. Yan looked like he had a chance to steamroll the entire division until he delivered the controversial knee blow that lost him his belt.
They would later rematch in what ended up being another debated ending when Sterling was able to solidify himself as champion by a split decision.
Dana White did not look happy with the decision when he glanced over. Luckily for Yan with a win this weekend, there’s a chance he could get his third chance at Sterling.
O’Malley hasn’t fought anyone with the talent that Yan has. If Sean wins, Vegas will be having one of the biggest fight cards in the future when he gets his chance at the belt. Shock the world (including me) and knockout Yan early. Let’s go SUGAR!!!!
Fight Winner: Sean O’Malley (+225)
Fight #2- (C)Aljamain Sterling (21-3) Vs (2) TJ Dillashaw (18-4)
15 months ago TJ Dillashaw made his long awaited return to the octagon after being suspended for two years for steroid use. He was able to win by split decision and now has earned himself a chance to earn a belt back that he never technically lost. Before his suspension TJ had his biggest fight yet, when he was defeated in 32 seconds by then current flyweight champion Henry Cejudo.
Standing in the cheaters way is drama queen, “Aljamain Sterling“. I hate Sterling more then any fighter in the UFC. His fights are boring and he thinks he’s so loved in the UFC, when realistically everyone hates him. TJ Dillashaw hopefully sends Sterling back to his place even if that means winning a boring fight. I’ll be backing the cheater, who has great value at +150.
Fight Winner: TJ Dillashaw (+150)
Fight #1- (1)Charles Oliveira Vs (4)Islam Makhachev
Charles Oliveira may have a one by his name, but he is clearly the top dog in the lightweight division. The only reason why its not a C next to his name is because he missed weight by .5 pounds at UFC 274 this past May.
Who knows if there was actually problems with the scale, it didn’t matter for Oliveira as he was able to put on a 1 round thriller with Justin Gaethje. The distraction of missing weight seemed to be on Oliveira’s mind when Gaethje quickly knocked him down to start the fight. No one wants to fight with Oliveira on the ground so Justin quickly let him up and that’s when you saw the lights turn on for the champ. Oliveira quickly showed his striking ability getting a knockdown before starting his submission attempts that would end up ending the fight. The win brought him to an 11 fight win streak, and Dana quickly assured his next fight would be a chance to regain the belt he shoulda never lost.
In his way is the powerhouse Dagestan product Islam Makhachev. Islam finds himself on a 10 fight win streak, steamrolling through the division so far. These guys from Dagestan don’t fuck around, and one things for sure… they know how to fight in every way. He has the benefit of having Khabib Nurmagomedov in the corner who never seems to lose even as a coach. Here’s some of Islam’s best finishes since joining the UFC.
Who Wins The Belt?
This is the one fight I can’t pick a side on. Charles Oliveira has fought the toughest of competitions and has proven he can overcome anything even when he’s doubted. He finds himself as a +145 underdog which is insane value for a fighter of his caliber. Islam on the other hand is a big favorite in easily the biggest fight of his career. These Dagestan people don’t feel pressure so that shouldn’t be any sort of problem. Both of these fighters are dangerous in many ways, is there any way this fight goes all 25 minutes?
BTW, there is 100% real tension between these two fighters.
Fight Winner: Charles Oliveira (+145)
Can Sugar Sean shock the world? Will TJ return to the top? Charles silences all the haters? Find out this Saturday when the UFC storms into Abu Dhabi.
Some people call me MarTy and some people call me Ryan. Wildcard when it comes to my writing. #FadeMe if I ever tweet out “locks”.