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411’s MMA Roundtable Preview – UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega
WELCOME:
Undefeated featherweight Brian Ortega steps up in competition to face Cub Swanson in the main event of UFC Fight Night! Also at featherweight, Jason Knight takes on Gabriel Benitez. At bantamweight, Marlon Moraes battles Aljamain Sterling. In lightweight action, Scott Holtzman fights Darrell Horcher. Plus, Eryk Anders squares off with Markus Perez, Albert Morales vs. Benito Lopez, and more!
THE STAFF:
Preliminary Card
UFC Fight Pass
Middleweight Bout: Antonio Braga Neto vs. Trevin Giles
Lightweight Bout: Chris Gruetzemacher vs. Davi Ramos
Bantamweight Bout: Alejandro Perez vs. Iuri Alcantara
Fox Sports 1
Bantamweight Bout: Frankie Saenz vs. Merab Dvalishvili
Bantamweight Bout: Carls John de Tomas vs. Alex Perez
Bantamweight Bout: Luke Sanders vs. Andre Soukhamthath
Flyweight Bout: Alexis Davis vs. Liz Carmouche
THE MAIN CARD:
Bantamweight Bout: Albert Morales vs. Benito Lopez
Robert Winfree: Albert Morales, Decision
Dan Plunkett: Morales, Decision
Middleweight Bout: Eryk Anders vs. Markus Perez
Robert Winfree: Eryk Anders, Decision
Dan Plunkett: Anders, Decision
Lightweight Bout: Scott Holtzman vs. Darrell Horcher
Robert Winfree: Not a whole lot to say here, both guys are trying to prove they’re really worth keeping around. Holtzman has been trading wins and losses while Horcher lost his debut on short notice to Khabib Nurmagomedov then rebounded well enough. I’m leaning Horcher.
Winner: Darrell Horcher, Decision
Dan Plunkett: Both come from strong fighting backgrounds. Horcher was a wrestler, while Holtzman was a hockey player. I like Horcher to take Holtzman down and win the fight.
Winner: Darrell Horcher, Decision
Bantamweight Bout: Marlon Moraes vs. Aljamain Sterling
Robert Winfree: I was looking forward to the original incarnation of this fight when it was Sterling vs. Rani Yahya, now that Moraes is stepping in I think it might be the best fight on the card. Sterling is still primarily a grappler, he displayed some improved striking in his last bout but he still hesitates to really engage and would rather circle while flashing kicks until he finds the right angle for a takedown. Moraes is still one of the best bantamweights in the world and just had a fun bout against Jon Dodson. Moraes has the edge in terms of striking but Sterling might be the best and most insistent grappler he’s faced. I could see Sterling taking this one by constantly forcing this into scrambles or prolonged clinch sequences against the fence, but I’m still leaning towards Moraes. I think Sterling’s leg position is a big liability against a good leg kicker and Moraes is a very good grappler in his own right.
Winner: Marlon Moraes, Decision
Dan Plunkett: The final three fights are good ones on what is otherwise a mostly terrible card. Moraes took this fight on short notice after beating John Dodson last month. Sterling is coming off a great performance over Renan Barao. In one sense, this is a good match-up for Moraes. He’s better on the feet and has strong takedown defense. However, he’s taking this fight on short notice and Sterling looked better than ever in July. I’m taking Sterling in a really close one.
Winner: Sterling, Decision
Featherweight Bout: Jason Knight vs. Gabriel Benitez
Robert Winfree: This one should be an entertaining scrap, Jason Knight doesn’t seem to know how to be in a boring fight. Benitez has done OK for himself recently but this is a step up in competition for him while Knight is trying to get back towards the top of the division. Knight is a well rounded fighter, good striking and solid takedowns to compliment his grappling game. While his striking defense is still a major liability, I’m not sure Benitez is going to be able to exploit it.
Winner: Jason Knight, Submission, Round 2
Dan Plunkett: Jason Knight is one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC. He’s a tough scrapper that should take this one.
Winner: Knight, TKO, Round 3
Featherweight Bout: Cub Swanson vs. Brian Ortega
Robert Winfree: This should be a good one. Swanson is trying to position himself in the title picture while Ortega is after the biggest win of his career. Swanson has fought for five rounds before and brings a very well rounded skill set, he can punch and move well and has a solid wrestling game. In recent years Swanson has only lost to truly elite level fighters, Ricardo Lamas, Frankie Edgar, and Max Holloway specifically. Ortega might be the best jiu-jitsu guy in the whole division, he’s been dedicating time to his striking game recently as well as his cardio. He’s finished his last four fights in the final round. Logic tells me I should favor Swanson, he’s the more proven fighter and his skills have troubled Ortega in the past, but for some reason I’m leaning towards Ortega. I can’t fully explain it and I know I’m picking what is likely the statistically less likely outcome and therefore am quite possibly wrong, but I’m going with Ortega.
Winner: Brian Ortega, Submission, Round 3
Dan Plunkett: Swanson is the best fighter Ortega has ever gone against. He is better on the feet, and although he is not the grappler Ortega is on paper, he is competent on the mat. For that reason, I like Swanson.
Winner: Swanson, Decision
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