We are a person sleep away from UFC 253.
Struggle Island will participate in host to this card that offers two world title fights. The initial of the two title fights will feature Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz vying for the vacant UFC light heavyweight championship. This will established the tone for the primary event of the evening amongst undefeated middleweights Israel Adesanya (19-) and Paulo Costa (13-). Also highlighted on the major card is Kai-Kara France vs. Brandon Royval, Ketlen Vieira vs. Sijara Eubanks, and Hakeem Dawodu vs. Zubaira Tukhugov.
MMA News is the location to be for all the hottest UFC 253 updates. Earlier now, we covered the weigh-ins, which you can see the success for below. Myself, Ed Carbajal, and Andrew Ravens have presented predictions for the card, which you can locate under.
Right before we dive into the predictions, here’s a appear at the complete major card:
UFC Middleweight Championship: Israel Adesanya (c) vs. Paulo Costa
UFC Mild Heavyweight Championship (Vacant): Dominick Reyes vs. Jan Blachowicz
Kai-Kara France vs. Brandon Royval
Ketlen Vieira vs. Sijara Eubanks
Hakeem Dawodu vs. Zubaira Tukhugov
Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa
Clyde Aidoo: Matador vs. bull looks to be the theme in this most important occasion showdown. The prevailing narrative is that this combat could go one of two techniques: Israel Adesanya outmoves and outpoints Costa for the victory or Costa bulldozes the smaller sized Adesanya as he has finished all other people pitted towards him. But Adesanya has demonstrated finishing skills and Costa has an underrated floor pedigree, so this battle of the undefeated has additional levels than meets the eye.
Costa’s electrical power benefit may possibly be extra efficient in grappling than in the standup. He could use his girth and energy to try to just take the struggle to the mat if Adesanya is aggravating him on the ft and then employ his black belt jiu-jitsu competencies in what will provide as a shock to viewers and it’s possible Adesanya himself. But supplied Adesanya’s fight IQ, large-fight expertise edge, and approach, I’m going to have to go with the matador on this 1. (Prediction: Israel Adesanya)
Ed Carbajal: The middleweight match-up is claimed to be a prospective “fight of the year” applicant in accordance to UFC President, Dana White. On the other hand, offered the pressurising design and style of Costa and Adesanya’s savvy footwork and counter putting this could go into the later on rounds and we might see Adesanya on the retreat for the early rounds. He’ll likely uncover a way to out stage Costa and do effectively plenty of for a end later in the fight or a decision gain. (Pick: Israel Adesanya)
Andrew Ravens: We’re heading to find out no matter if Costa is overhyped or the real deal listed here as he of course has the biggest obstacle in his profession hence considerably. Adesanya has a verified observe report and stylistically, I like Adesanya’s probabilities in this article. I think he makes use of his selection to choose him apart. An underlying situation is also in enjoy as Adesanya is a flashy person and the detrimental response to his previous fight, which was against Yoel Romero, will fuel him to make a assertion. Adesanya retains by unanimous choice. (Prediction: Israel Adesanya)
Consensus: Israel Adesanya (3-)
Dominick Reyes vs. Jan Blachowicz
Clyde Aidoo: This bout will mark a new era in the mild heavyweight division. Will that period characteristic Jan Blachowicz who would have picked up a 3rd consecutive earn? Blachowicz appeared great when he knocked Corey Anderson out of the UFC and knocked Luke Rockhold to the brink of retirement, but Reyes proved to the entire world that he is a champion-caliber fighter when he arguably outfought Jon Jones at UFC 247. Experienced Reyes gotten the judges’ selection on the scorecards against Jones the way he did quite a few spectators’, he’d even now be undefeated. There’s no way a person who really thinks he defeated Jon Jones does not enter his next fight brimming with self esteem. So I’m going to give the edge to Reyes listed here likely by way of KO/TKO. (Prediction: Dominick Reyes)
Ed Carbajal: These two gentle heavyweights are battling for the vacant title of the division and could be the a person that does gain “fight of the night” accolades when searching at the two males that want the title. Blackowicz on a three-battle acquire streak together with his working experience could give him the edge around Reyes. Nonetheless, there are these that consider Reyes defeat Jones and given that his first decline was a debatable determination to Jones, he could walk away with this one particular primarily having anything to verify. (Prediction: Dominick Reyes)
Andrew Ravens: A fight to crown the new champion in the division. Glance, we all remember the destruction that Blachowicz did to Corey Anderson in his very last struggle. The problem below is that all people remembers that Reyes arguably conquer Jon Jones when he very last fought. This must be a quite shut again and forth combat. Honestly, it’ll go to a choice and most likely a fight that will have to be turned into a trilogy. I side with Reyes finding it completed late and choosing up a split selection acquire. (Prediction: Dominick Reyes)
Consensus: Dominick Reyes (3-)
Kai-Kara France vs. Brandon Royval
Clyde Aidoo: Two youthful flyweights squaring off right here with an prospect to make a statement in front of a PPV viewers. It is challenging not to be amazed by Brandon Royval’s UFC debut, as any individual who submits Tim Elliott has my respect and must have the respect of fans and betters. But even with Royval’s spectacular debut, he arrives in as a +200 underdog, which is easy to understand provided that France is 4-1 in the UFC, with his only loss coming to major contender Brandon Moreno. I believe this battle is a little bit nearer than the oddsmakers are providing it credit rating for, but I do assume that France’s excellent kickboxing will be enough and that France will be equipped to continue to keep the fight standing sufficient to stay clear of obtaining submitted. (Prediction: Kai-Kara France)
Ed Carbajal: The flyweight division has a string of higher-paced fights to produce to fans so this one particular should really not disappoint. Royval is going to have his palms complete with the Town Kickboxing teammate of Adesanya, but the 28-year-outdated is riding a three-combat acquire streak and appears additional than ready to be examined. If he can get the combat to the floor, that could be wherever he wins. (Prediction: Brandon Royval)
Andrew Ravens: This fight is traveling underneath the radar and enthusiasts must choose detect of these two men. France has long gone 9-1 in his very last 10 fights whilst Royval has gained his final 3 and absent 6-1 in his last 7 fights. It is a decide-em listed here, but either way, it is a enjoyable combat. I have France successful by determination as Royval is nonetheless new to the advertising. (Prediction: Kai-Kara France)
Consensus: Kai-Kara France (2-1)
Ketlen Vieira vs. Sijara Eubanks
Clyde Aidoo: Despite Ketlen Vieira’s KO defeat to Irene Aldana, I however think that she is a real title contender at bantamweight. In this matchup, I really feel that she has far more energy on the feet than Eubanks and is also superior on the ground. Each women are black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but Eubanks has wins by submission although Vieira has four. I imagine Vieira is the larger, stronger, younger, and far more technological fighter with additional career upside. Frankly, I’m surprised that she is only a -185 most loved listed here. (Prediction: Ketlen Vieira)
Ed Carbajal: Eubanks is obtaining a speedy turnaround right here, and that can be both good or lousy when she faces Viera. Although she is riding a two-battle get streak, they are equally by conclusions and she could be carrying a ton of use and tear from the very last struggle she experienced on September 12. Veira has experienced a prolonged time to get better from her decline previous 12 months and her freshness could get her a decisive acquire at UFC 253. (Prediction: Ketlen Vieira)
Andrew Ravens: These fighters enter this struggle on the finish opposite side of the sport. Sijara has gained her final two fights by decision even though Vieira is coming off a initial-spherical KO decline that snapped her successful streak. As much as Sijara has appeared remarkable as of late, I really don’t like her odds below. I see Vieira brushing off her very last battle and wanting to establish something in this article en route to a choice get. (Prediction: Ketlen Vieira)
Consensus: Ketlen Vieira (3-)
Hakeem Dawodu vs. Zubaira Tukhugov
Clyde Aidoo: I assume a really specialized, limited determination in this 1 in a combat that I anticipate to keep on the toes. Tukhogov appeared phenomenal in his most current battle, knocking out Kevin Aguilar, which is no little feet, but I do not believe he’ll get an additional stoppage right here. Dawodu has in no way been knocked out, and he has many years of kickboxing and Muay Thai experience. It is that knowledge that will likely provide Dawodu in a little outpointing Tukhogov in what could be a break up choice. (Prediction: Hakeem Dawodu)
Ed Carbajal: This is a entertaining opener to the main card as both equally males are coming off of wins. Dawodu gained his past four and may have fought harder opponents if you look at the final for wins from the likes of Juilio Arce and Kyle Bochniak. Continue to, any person that trains with the recent lightweight winner Khabib Nurmagomedov is probably not likely to be a stroll in the park. Dawodu is more of a finisher, but Tukhugov could be in a position to grind out a victory. (Prediction: Zubaira Tukhugov)
Andrew Ravens: A actually fun combat to open up the card as Hakem has received his final four even though Tukhugov has a chip on his shoulder after going back-to-again to the judges’ scorecards only to glow with a TKO earn in his last fight. I like Hakeem in this article, but either way, an individual is receiving finished in the very first round. (Prediction: Hakeem Dawodu)
Consensus: Hakeem Dawodu (2-1)
That’ll do it for the UFC 253 predictions. Do you concur with the MMA News staffers? Who do you think will emerge victorious on the main card? Give us your predictions in the remarks beneath and be confident to stick with us for are living protection of UFC 253!