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This weekend (Sat., Feb. 4, 2023), Final Combating Championship (UFC) returns to UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, for UFC Vegas 68. The principle occasion incorporates a re-do match up between Derrick Lewis and Sergei Spivak, who have been alleged to collide again in Nov. 2022 till last-minute illness wounded “The Black Beast.” Initially, this occasion was scheduled for Seoul, South Korea, and far of the cardboard displays that. It’s crammed with would-be native expertise who will as a substitute cross the Pacific Ocean and throw down in “Sin Metropolis.”
Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at the match ups that lead up the to co-main occasion:
Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura vs. Blagoy Ivanov
Greatest Win for Tybura? Sergey Spivak For Ivanov? Ben Rothwell
Present Streak: Each males received their final battle
X-Issue: Which man holds the wrestling benefit?
How these two match up: This appears like a battle that absolutely has occurred sooner or later beforehand.
There are particular similarities between these two European Heavyweights. The duo each desire to battle within the clinch and cage wrestle greater than kickbox, although they’re definitely well-rounded and hard on the ft, too. Tybura brings a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt to battle, whereas Ivanov is a fight Sambo world champion. Within the cage, nonetheless, there approaches are typically fairly related.
Realistically, I anticipate the wrestling and grappling to essentially cancel out right here. Each fighters are seemingly adept sufficient within the clinch to keep away from the opposite’s journeys and throws. As such, this turns into a arise battle wherein kickboxing talent and common conditioning are the largest deciding elements.
On each accounts, I favor Tybura. The Polish athlete has vital edges in velocity and attain, which mixed together with his quick kicks ought to show fairly an impediment for the Bulgarian. Tybura’s usually been on extra of an upswing as nicely by way of total profession, so his momentum helps makes this a neater choose too.
Nonetheless … anticipate a tiring slog.
Prediction: Tybura through determination
Featherweight: Doo Ho Choi vs. Kyle Nelson
Greatest Win for Choi? Thiago Tavares For Nelson? Polo Reyes
Present Streak: Choi has misplaced three straight, whereas Nelson misplaced his final two bouts
X-Issue: How a lot does Choi have left within the tank?
How these two match up: This reads like a brawl.
Again in 2016, Choi was undefeated within the Octagon and checked out as a future contender. Since then, he’s misplaced three consecutive fights, and his most up-to-date look was Dec. 2019! It’s been a helluva slide for the 31-year-old “Korean Superboy,” however it is a particular step again in competitors in comparison with Jeremy Stephens or Charles Jourdain.
To that time, Nelson has misplaced 4 of 5 UFC bouts. He’s obtained some energy in his arms and a jiu-jitsu brown belt, however the Canadian expertise undoubtedly slows down fairly considerably within the latter half of fights.
UFC needs a layup for Choi. That’s why this match up was made. Can he carry out? That’s actual exhausting to say, seeing as Choi is within the 14th 12 months of his skilled profession and coming back from an extended sequence of layoffs and accidents.
It’s a crapshoot! That mentioned, Choi was clearly the higher fighter, and he’s but to point out any stop. Worst case, he can most likely win a sloppy brawl late if the early stoppage doesn’t materialize.
Prediction: Choi through knockout
Welterweight: Yusaku Kinoshita vs. Adam Fugitt
Greatest Win for Kinoshita? Jose Henrique Souza For Fugitt? Solomon Renfro
Present Streak: Kinoshita debuts having received two straight, whereas Fugitt just lately misplaced his UFC debut
X-Issue: UFC jitters
How these two match up: Contender Sequence pickup vs. short-notice signee.
Kinoshita is simply 22 years of age, and he’s completed all six of his skilled wins. He’s a striker initially, a artful Southpaw with main ending energy in his left hand. He’s rangy and likes to battle on the counter, which makes for a enjoyable Welterweight prospect. Conversely, Fugitt is extra of a wrestler. He’s comfy sufficient throwing arms, however that’s normally a way to an finish till he can acquire high place and drop floor strikes.
That is an fascinating battle to foretell. Kinoshita clearly has the upper total upside because the far youthful and extra athletic prospect. Nonetheless, he’s additionally but to face a wrestler the standard of Fugitt, so the potential for a irritating, spoiler-type win for Fugitt definitely exists as nicely.
It’s going to even be fascinating to see how Kinoshita offers with a attain drawback.
In the end, I’ll belief in Kinoshita to make the mandatory changes. He strikes with actual fluidity for his expertise degree, and he is aware of the way to convert that reward to large pictures landed — pictures that ought to determine the end result right here.
Prediction: Kinoshita through knockout
Keep in mind that MMAmania.com will ship LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow protection of the whole UFC Vegas 68 battle card proper here, beginning with the ESPN+ “Prelims” matches, that are scheduled to start at 10 p.m. ET, then the remaining essential card stability (additionally on ESPN+) at 1 a.m. ET.
To take a look at the most recent and best UFC Vegas 68: “Lewis vs. Spivac” information and notes remember to hit up our complete occasion archive right here.
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