UFC 266 Full Card Breakdown!

MAIN CARD

Alexander Volkanovski VS Brian Ortega- The Main Event! Ultimate fighter coaches time! Volk is an all around fighter in grappling and striking. He can hang with the best and there’s not a flaw. Ortega is mainly a striker where it is nasty especially with the boxing. Ortega though is underrated on the submission moves. Volk is going to want this fight on the feet in which Ortega could handle though. Close fight but I am giving the slight edge to Ortega,

Valentina Shevchenko VS Lauren Murphy- What a fight! Valentina is an fluent striker with the volume she brings to table. Murphy though is an grappler that is underrated which that will be the flaw for Valentina trying to defend it. This is an huge fight for Murphy and I am not flopping on her. I can’t go against Valentina though.

Robbie Lawler VS Nick Diaz- Oh man! Diaz time! Diaz has beat Lawler before but it has been 6 years since Diaz has fought….6 years. Diaz is still training and in shape though. He has the boxing and cardio to give him an edge. Diaz will try to get inside his head which we will definitely see. I want Diaz here.

Curtis Blaydes VS Jairzinho Rozenstruik- Heavy weight time! Blaydes is an grappler and pound the ground sorta fighter. Striking? Give me Rozen but in the grappling I want Blaydes. Coming off an bad knockout loses in Blaydes scares me a ton because Rozen can clip him. This will be an super close fight that I hope doesn’t go to an decision. I think Blaydes win this especially if it comes to an decision.

Jéssica Andrade VS Cynthia Calvillo- Love this fight! Andrade has fought great fighters by far despite her loses. She has great power and can easily grapple with any fighter. Calvillo is no joke with the striking though and it is fluid. I want the fighter who will pressure and bully the fighter…I am wanting Andrade here in an bounce back spot.

PRELIMS

Marlon Moraes VS Merab Dvalishvili- What a fight. Merab Is an monster who is making a name for himself rising up the rank facing the big name in Moraes. I dont think Moraes is ready to see the power punches from Merab. I am all over Merab is gonna grind him down and further himself more in the rankings.

Dan Hooker VS Nasrat Haqparast- Love this fight. Emotional fight with prayers up for losing his mom in Haqparast. This is an huge step up in competition but he will be fighting his heart out. Hooker was fighting for the belt not long ago and has two good loses…he is motivated ready to fight going through a ton. Hooker has great grappling skills that are underrated to me. Nasrat is an pressure fighter with the striking…super close but I want Hooker.

Shamil Abdurakhimov VS Chris Daukaus- Here we go! Shamil is an grappler and has some good wins on his record. Daukaus is getting an step up in competition and has been on an heater. Daukaus is wanting to knockout the vet here but this will be a banger overall with his boxing. I dont like that that Shamil hasn’t fought in 2 years at all. Give me Chris here.

Roxanne Modafferi VS Taila Santos- Interesting matchup…the vet Roxanne has kept up her game in the UFC. She is an grappler and the power is there where she can submit anyone in the women’s class. The striking is what scares me because that is her downfall. Santos is the easy favorite though and like her game much more overall. She has all the skill sets to win.

Uros Medic VS Jalin Turner- Great matchup skilled based. Medic was dominant in DWCS proving himself by far. He carries himself but Turner on the feet is legit to me. Turner has looked good stuffing the takedowns and out striking the competition. I think Medic is slightly the better fighter based on striking which is why I like him to win.

Manon Fiorot VS Mayra Bueno Silva- Female fight! Fiorot is an heck of an striker and highly touted prospect. Silva had an draw last fight but should’ve won based on getting cut points…she is an excellent grappler which is her goal. Fiorot is getting the step up in competition and I can’t wait to see this. Give me the prospect here.

Nick Maximov VS Cody Brundage- Late addition to the card! Interesting fight but I am liking the grappling aspect for Max. He needs to prove himself here and not look back in this under level fight. Keeping it short and sweet.

Matt Semelsberger VS Martin Sano- Great matchup! Sano has been training with Diaz brothers which is interesting but Semelsberger will handle business here. Semelsberger has fought leaps and bounds better competition compared to Sano who the skill level isn’t there.

Omar Morales VS Jonathan Pearce- First fight of the night and her we go! Morales bounced back last fight and got a win under his belt after the loss of Giga. Pearce looked awful in his debut but got a win over Kai who is now out of the UFC. Morales has fought the better competition which I think the hands are miles ahead of Pearce. I don’t trust Pearce in this fight and will be fading him here.