21-4 Merab Dvalishvili is set to defend the UFC Bantamweight belt for a record-breaking 4th time in a calendar year, after successful defences over Nurmagomedov, O’Malley and Sandhagen already this year. When these two faced-off back in 2023 it was Merab who exceled, winning in fashion by Unanimous Decision in a dominant 45 – 50 performance. Yan stating, he was not 100% at the time due to injury.
Injury or not one thing remains true, Merab is a ‘Machine’, who has been consistently dominate as champ, he holds the record for most takedowns in UFC history, and most takedowns in a UFC title fight. Merab has won 4 of the last 5 by decision and is on a 14-fight win streak in the UFC. He excels in the later rounds with his relentless pressure and unmatched cardio, overpowering his opponents with strong takedowns.
Yan himself has found some form and is on a 3-fight win streak, winning all 3 via decision. He certainly doesn’t shy away from a challenge and looks forward to the second opportunity of obtaining the belt himself.
Yan is a good matchup with strong takedown defence and an incredible striker with a close guard and good boxing base. Yan will push the fight till the end. An intriguing an exhausting battle on the cards and I’m excited to see how he fares this weekend at 100% operating power uncompromised by injury.
But even with his strong boxing and defensive capabilities Merab always finds a way and was able to secure 11 takedowns against Yan in their first fight. Compromised or not I think Merab will once again showcase why he is the champ and one of the most dominant we have seen.
Pick: Super Boost Merab to win by Points @ $2.00
Current champ Alexandre Pantoja takes on rank no.1 Joshua Van who is on a 5-fight win-streak. Pantoja looks to defend his belt for the 5th time and is on an 8-fight win streak himself.
Van holds the UFC record for most strikes landed per minute, an impressive 8.86. 8-1 in the UFC winning 6 by decision 2 by KO/TKO. From his professional record of 15 -2 has won 7 by KO/TKO. He has stayed very active with 3 fights already this year.
Pantoja holds the record for most wins (14) and finishes (8) in the division with 6 via submission (also the most in the division). A strong wrestler and grappler who has been a very active and well-rounded champ since winning the belt in July 2023.
Van’s pace and striking output will be an issue for Pantoja who will look to take the fight to ground not wanting to absorb many combinations from Van.
Van, who has the opportunity to become the 2nd youngest UFC champion in history, believes he will knock Pantoja out and while it certainly could happen with attractive odds for Van to so by KO/TKO @ $5.75. There is an avenue for Van to deal some serious damage and look to secure a TKO over a champ who has only ever lost on points.
Overall, an exciting fight on the cards but it might just be too early for Van, with Pantoja showcasing his class and experience over the young and exciting up and comer.
Pick: Pantoja submission or points @1.57
ormer champ Brandon Moreno (23-8) is on a 2-fight win streak with significant victories over Albazi and Steve Erceg. Finding some form over quality opposition after he lost the belt to Pantoja back in 2023 followed by a loss to Royval in ’24. Has vast knowledge and experience with 16 UFC fights under his belt.
Tatsuro Taira 7-1 in UFC with 5 finishes showing incredible promise and talent at 25 years of age. Both fighters having lost to Brandon Royval via split decision back in 2024. Taira bouncing back with a round 2 submission win over Park Hyun-sung (10-2).
I think the experience and calibre of 33 fights will prove important in this match-up for the former champ to get the win.
Olympic wrestling gold medallist and former UFC Flyweight and Bantamweight Champion Henry Cejudo’s (16-5) last dance is up against a young and hungry 10-1 Payton Talbott. Cejudo is on a 3-fight losing streak in the UFC kickstarted by his loss to former champ Aljamain Stirling.
Talbott on the other hand was on a 3-fight win streak in the UFC before his loss to Barcelos, before quickly bouncing back with a win over Felipe Lima. This will be his third fight this year. 4-1 in the UFC, from his MMA record of 10-1 he has won 7 by KO/TKO (2 in the UFC). Henry Cejudo has only lost once via TKO to former champ Demetrious Johnson back in 2016
Barcelos is a good wrestler and Payton really struggled, if Henry goes back to his wrestling roots, he has every chance to win his final dance. A true test for Talbott against a veteran wrestler to see how much has he learnt from his defeat in how much he has improved his takedown defence.
Talbott will have 10 years of youth on his side with a speed advantage on the feet, a height and a reach advantage over Henry Cejudo’s wealth of experience in MMA with 10 more UFC fights under his belt against top tier Bantamweight competition.
Bogdan Guskov (18-3) is on a 4-fight win streak in the UFC with 3 wins via KO/TKO and has won 14 of his 18 professional fights by KO/TKO. His only loss coming via submission to Volkan Oezdemir.
Former light heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz with an incredible fighter resume is 12-8 in the UFC having lost his last 2 fights to top tier competition in Carlos Ulberg and Alex Pereira will be looking to return to winning ways against Guskov.