After a pit cease on the UFC Apex, the promotion is again on the street. The UFC returns to Lengthy Island, NY, for the primary time in a number of years, they usually introduced a killer principal occasion. Prime three featherweights throw down as No. 2 ranked Brian Ortega fights No. 3, Yair Rodriguez. If Rodriguez wins, he’s been informed he’ll combat for the title subsequent.
Nevertheless, in case you look previous the primary occasion, there are some under-the-radar storylines for UFC Lengthy Island.
Ranked bantamweights on the prelims
One other week, one other bizarre UFC bout order. Prime 15 ranked bantamweights Ricky Simon vs. Jack Shore are combating on the UFC Lengthy Island prelims. And so they aren’t even the featured prelim!! Simon has solely been on the prelims 3 times previous to this weekend, and two of these have been in his first two fights. Shore thought he was going to be on the primary card for the primary time, however sadly, he bought got rid of for flyweights.
Not solely is it a ranked matchup, but it surely is likely one of the finest fights on the cardboard. Simon is using a four-fight win streak and is coming off a second-round knockout of Raphael Assuncao. Shore will get his first shot at a ranked opponent and remains to be undefeated.
Banger of the week
There’s one clear banger of the week for UFC Lengthy Island moreover the superior principal occasion. No. 14 ranked featherweight Shane Burgos places his spot within the rankings on the road in opposition to Charles Jourdain. Each of those fighters are among the many most fun in the whole group and at all times placed on a present. Burgos is coming off a warfare in opposition to Billy Quarantillo at UFC 268 to get again within the win column. Jourdain is using the primary successful streak of his UFC profession with wins in opposition to Lano Vannata and Andre Ewell.
Burgos can also be combating again in New York, the place he’s undefeated when he fights there, and final time he was in Lengthy Island, he placed on a present in opposition to Godofredo Pepey. This combat will probably be superior.
Miesha Tate drops to flyweight
At 35-years-old, former UFC bantamweight champion Miesha Tate is dropping all the way down to flyweight for the primary time after her spending her complete profession at bantamweight. (As of this writing, Tate efficiently made weight and is able to go). The timing of this transfer is completely excellent as a result of if she wins Saturday, she is going to combat Valentina Shevchenko for the flyweight title later this 12 months and can attempt to grow to be the second feminine fighter in UFC historical past to grow to be a two-division champion. All of that’s good, however she does need to get via Lauren Murphy, who’s at all times robust and is coming off a title loss in her final outing. Murphy will probably be trying to spoil Tate’s plans whereas ‘Cupcake’ is trying to leapfrog the whole division.
Welcome to the UFC, Emily Ducote
After busting her ass for a number of years, Emily Ducote is lastly within the UFC. Ducote was a mainstay within the Bellator flyweight division from 2016 to 2018. When she was launched from Bellator, ‘Gordinha’ then went to Invicta FC, the place she actually made a reputation for herself. Ducote went 4-1 and ended up successful the strawweight title in a really violent trend when she knocked out Danielle Taylor.
Emily Ducote put Danielle Taylor’s lights OUT.
Holy smokes. What a knockout.pic.twitter.com/OVyMsVpy0W
— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) August 28, 2021
Ducote defended her belt as soon as earlier than getting the decision to the UFC on quick discover. She takes on former UFC strawweight title challenger Jessica Penne in her debut.
MMA and Leisure Journalist. Graduated from CSUN with a B.A in Journalism. I like MMA and have been watching constantly since 2004.
