UFC Vegas 69 + Weekly MMA Report

UFC 284 looked like an awesome card, bringing the clash of the best pound-for-pound Octagon warriors. There were many stoppages and great combats, and it was hard to decide who would get the Fight of the Night bonus and other rewards. Yet, the UFC head honcho has made a decision!

The Fight of the Night award was given to the fighters of the main event of the evening who participated in 155-pound title combat, the defending division champ Islam Makhachev and the current 145-pound king Alexander Volkanovski. After 25 minutes of a great war, the judges ignored Volkanovski’s damage creation and great takedown and chain wrestling defense, giving Makhachev a unanimous decision.  

The first Performance of the Night award was given to Mexican Taekwondo black belt Yair Rodriguez, who surprisingly submitted Josh Emmett in the second via triangle choke to become the interim 145-pound division champ.

Jack Della Maddalena was on point against Randy “Rude Boy” Brown. The Aussie shocked the world with a fabulous first-round submission for the Performance of the Night award.  

Photo: @UFCBrasil Twitter

The UFC Vegas 69 will take place in the UFC Apex Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, The United States of America. After Taila Santos was out of combat with Erin Blanchfield, the promotion had to let Jessica Andrade fight in the main event of the evening due to the lack of star power.  

Jessica Andrade is known for her amazing pressure, wrestling, takedown offense, slams, and hooks. Andrade used to be the former 115-pound champion, but her transition to 125-pound was a bit rocky. Yet, she’s riding on a three-fight winning streak at the moment, and her close-range brawling might really give a hard time to her opponent.

A submission specialist Erin Blanchfield is known for excellent BJJ and an outstanding submission game – she’ll try to drag the combat to the ground ASAP. One way or another, this will not last for five rounds.

Prediction: the fight will not go the distance

In the co-main event, heavy-handed Zac Pauga moves one division down to meet one-punch knockout artist Jordan “The Beverly Hills Ninja” Wright, who cruises 20 pounds north in an attempt to bounce back after a loss. Both fighters have superb knockout power – a massive stoppage is coming.

Prediction: the fight will not go the distance

You can look at the UFC Vegas 69 full fight card here, but please check the tapology link due to potential last-minute changes and cancellations. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/94589-ufc-fight-night

Main Card (ESPN+, UFC On Fight Pass, 7 PM ET, 1 AM CET)

Flyweight (125 pounds): Jéssica Andrade (24-9-0) vs. Erin Blanchfield (10-1-0)

Light Heavyweight (205 pounds): Zac Pauga (5-1-0) vs. Jordan Wright (12-4-0)

Heavyweight (265 pounds): Josh Parisian (15-5-0) vs. Jamal Pogues (9-3-0)

Light Heavyweight (205 pounds): William Knight (11-4-0) vs. Marcin Prachnio (15-6-0)

Preliminary Card (ESPN+, UFC On Fight Pass, 4 PM ET, 10 PM CET)

Lightweight (155 pounds): Jim Miller (35-16-0) vs. Alexander Hernandez (13-6-0)

Bantamweight (135 pounds): Lina Länsberg (10-7-0) vs. Mayra Bueno Silva (9-2-1)

Featherweight (145 pounds): Jamall Emmers (18-6-0) vs. Khusein Askhabov (23-0-0)

Light Heavyweight (205 pounds): Ovince St. Preux (26-16-0) vs. Philipe Lins (15-5-0)

Lightweight (155 pounds): Nazim Sadykhov (7-1-0) vs. Evan Elder (7-1-0)

Welterweight (170 pounds): AJ Fletcher (9-2-0) vs. Themba Gorimbo (10-3-0)

Flyweight (125 pounds): Juancamilo Ronderos (4-1-0) vs. Clayton Carpenter (6-0-0)  

Check out my predictions below.

This event doesn’t have too many stars, that’s true… but it’s stacked with young guns, and they are always hungry! Please give it a shot and sit next to your watching device at 4 PM ET on Saturday; you will enjoy this UFC Vegas fight card!