24-3 Welterweight Champion Belal takes on #5 ranked 17-2 Australian Jack Della Madelena in the main event of the evening. JDM is on a 17-fight win streak, (8-fight win streak in the UFC). A classic striker vs control time wrestler matchup for the main event. Belal is a smart, well-rounded fighter who likes to control the fight.
Much like the co-main event, these challengers have some serious win streaks behind them to help carry optimistic momentum into these title bouts.
JDM had good success getting back on his feet against Gilbert Burns before finishing with a KO. Ultimately JDM will want to keep his distance to avoid giving Belal any unnecessary control time and points and look to finish a champion who is good at making these fights go the distance.
In the co-main event, women flyweight champion Valentina takes on a 12-1 Manon Fiorot. Valentina was back to some of her best work against former champ Alexa Grasso reclaiming her belt in the redemption fight last year.
Manon Fiorot is on a scary 12 fight win streak, six of those coming via KO/TKO. Manon has serious momentum coming into this fight, and is posted as the favourite, showing she can go the distance in her 5 rounder against Erin Blanchfield. Manon’s last 5 fights have ended by decision. Valentina has never lost by KO/TKO in her UFC career, and Manon has never won by submission. Valentina will need to be at the top of her game in this matchup in order to put a stop to Manon’s current form.
Exciting fight on the way.
Jose Aldo was unfortunate not to get the win against Maurio Bautista last time out. Landing more significant strikes and defended all 10 of Mario’s takedown attempts successfully. Canadian Aiemann Zahabi is on a 5-fight win streak. I’m a big fan of the veteran Jose Aldo who is still performing at a high level, but we could see another decision fight that doesn’t go his way unless he asserts this fight with dominance.
Another match and another impressive win streak entering the octagon. Natalia silva enters the octagon with a 12-fight win streak and is up against former champion Alexa Grasso who is coming off a loss against current champ Valentina Shevchenkeko. Momentum carries the torch.
BSD was originally pencilled to fight 22-3 Joel Alvarez, which was a strong matchup, but Joel who has since withdrawn due to a hand injury. BSD now fights step-in 18-8 Kyle Prepolec.
At time of writing there are not many markets available for this fight, i’d would look for a BSD finish here if & when the markets are available.
Over in the Prelims, Kiwi up-and-comer Navajo Stirling is back with his impressive 6-0 fight record with four wins by KO/TKO and 2 first round finishes, up against 14-4 Ivan Erslan who has one UFC fight to his name ending in a split decision loss. Navajo now has a Fight Night under his belt on top of the contender series win where Ivan is still looking to secure his first UFC victory. I’m backing Navajo even if he wasn’t kiwi.