UFC 277 Prelims Predictions: Peña vs Nunes 2
Pintsized Background
As a featured preliminary, Alex Morono and Matt Semelsberger can probably attract a combined 100 sets of eyes to the TV. It’s a real headscratcher as to why the compelling Lightweight bout between Drew Dober and Rafael Alves hasn’t received featured privileges. The less said about the appearances of Blood Diamond, Nick Negumereanu and Don’Tale Mayes, the better.
Where/When is UFC 277 Prelims taking place:
July 30, 2022. American Airlines Center. Dallas, United States.
What time does UFC 277 Prelims start:
🇬🇧 UK: 11pm / 🇺🇸 US ET: 6pm
What channel is UFC 277 Prelims on:
🇬🇧 UK: BT Sports / 🇺🇸 US: ESPN+
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UFC 277 Prelims Picks & Odds
| UFC 277 Prelims Fights & Odds | Winner | Method | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drew Dober (-200) Rafael Alves (+170) | Dober | Decision | / |
| Alex Morono (+135) Matthew Semelsberger (-155) | Morono | Decision | / |
| Don’Tale Mayes (-180) Hamdy Abdelwahab (+155) | Mayes | TKO | 3 |
| Adam Fugitt (+450) Michael Morales (-600) | Morales | TKO | 2 |
| Drakkar Klose (-225) Rafa Garcia (+190) | Klose | Decision | / |
| Ihor Potieria (-130) Nicolae Nergumereanu (+110) | Negumereanu | Decision | / |
| Ji Yeon Kim (+110) Joselyne Edwards (-130) | Edwards | Decision | / |
| Blood Diamond (+150) Orion Cosce (-175) | Cosce | TKO | 1 |
UFC 277: Preliminary Card
Alex Morono vs Matt Semelsberger
Welterweight (170)
Alex Morono (21-7)
Hm. On the one hand, Morono has spent a lot of time accumulating a strong record in the dark. On the other, Morono will always be athletically capped. Ancient Donald Cerrone and David Zawada are banana skins for many at Welterweight, but Morono fought smart relentless fights. Dismantling Mickey Gall further proved Morono is a top-15 gatekeeper, yet doesn’t The Great White deserve a promotional push at this point?
Matt Semelsberger (10-3)
Semelsberger has cleaned up the bottom of the barrel at Welterweight with his plus athleticism. When facing a technical field in Morono, it’s a wonder how Semelsberger will get inside of Morono’s consistent jab. Against lesser fighters, Semelsberger’s lanky frame has an awkward uprightness that shocks opponents, but this has the makings of a technical disaster class.
Predicted Result: Morono Decision
On the one hand, Morono has spent a lot of time accumulating a strong record in the dark. On the other, Morono will always be athletically capped. Semelsberger’s lanky frame has an awkward uprightness that shocks bottom-of-the-barrel opponents. Against Morono’s consistent jab, Semelsberger will find his entries regularly snuffed. Side note – Morono is very hittable and Semelsberger is enough of a puncher to end this early, but it would be a surprise.
Drew Dober vs Rafael Alves
Lightweight (155)
Drew Dober (24-11)
Stupid, sexy Drew Dober. Expectations were high for Terrance McKinney to mop the floor with Dober, yet mister concrete chin managed to overcome adversity to humble the youthful upstart. Against a similar kill-or-be-killed fighter, Dober’s durability and consistency are huge strengths to back. Dober’s pressure boxing is tailor-made to drain Alves and nullify his explosive threat, yet Dober does have a history of falling to submissions.
Rafael Alves (20-10)
Submitting Marc Diakiese seems to be paying dividends as the Brit continues to secure scalps with his controlled wrestling. The Brazilian is a ferocious power kicker who will happily meet opponents in their preferred game. While that lack of control over a fight will put bums on seats, as well as proving a natural capacity to adapt mid-fight, it will be punished nearer the top of the division.
Predicted Result: Dober Decision
Brazilian is a ferocious power kicker who will happily meet opponents in their preferred game. While that lack of control over a fight will put bums on seats, as well as proving a natural capacity to adapt mid-fight, it will be punished nearer the top of the division. Dober’s pressure boxing is tailor-made to drain Alves and nullify his explosive threat, yet Dober does have a history of falling to submissions.
Don’Tale Mayes vs Hamdy Abdelwahab
Heavyweight (265)
Don’Tale Mayes (9-4)
Nearly a year on from his third-round TKO over Josh Parisian, Don’Tale has been rewarded with a PPV slot. Heavyweight privileges, eh? Mayes is a 6’6″ specimen, yet he often falls into his punches on the feet. Without a balanced base beneath himself, Mayes negates much of his athletic edge and struggles to match moving opponents.
Hamdy Abdelwahab (3-0)
Egyptian UFC debutant, Hamdy Abdelwahab, has made his name with victories in Jorge Masvidal’s iKON FC promotion. A former Olympic wrestler, there is certainly a base that can be crafted into a top fighter – given the lack of talent at 265lbs. Mayes provides enough of a static target for Adelwahab to land his surprisingly heavy hands, yet Mayes will represent Adelwahab’s first opponent not to fold immediately.
Predicted Result: Mayes TKO Round 3
Egyptian UFC debutant, Hamdy Abdelwahab, has made his name with victories in Jorge Masvidal’s iKON FC promotion. A former Olympic wrestler, there is certainly a base that can be crafted into a top fighter – given the lack of talent at 265lbs. Mayes has proven his durability during his time at the UFC, however, and his huge 6’6″ frame provides a huge hurdle for Adelwahab to overcome.
Drakkar Klose vs Rafa Garcia
Lightweight (155)
Drakkar Klose (12-2-1)
It was pleasing to see Klose return to the octagon with a W after Jeremy Stephens shaved a couple of years off his career. Jenkins is a regional fighter, however. Klose is tough and can neutralise opponents, yet superior athletes are capable of out-pacing the American. Klose can shut out Garcia with a three-round clinch fest against the cage.
Rafa Garcia (14-2)
For all the decisions on Garcia’s record, the Mexican always brings entertainment into the octagon. Garcia excels in the pocket, leaning into his natural toughness and eye for a counter, wading into danger to land the more meaningful work. Unless Garcia gets an early foothold, however, he does struggle to enforce himself into a fight.
Predicted Result: Klose Decision
Klose is tough and can neutralise opponents, yet superior athletes are capable of out-pacing the American. The clearest path to victory involves Klose falling back on old habits and shutting out Garcia with a three-round clinch fest against the cage. Garcia will always bring entertainment into the octagon, yet he will struggle to gain a foothold in this affair.
Michael Morales vs Adam Fugitt
Welterweight (170)
Michael Morales (13-0)
Time to get excited about Morales. I was thoroughly impressed with his first-round KO over Trevin Giles – true evidence of a freakish strength that can travel up from the regionals. This power isn’t limited to just his hands, though. Morales’ control on the mat is also a sight to behold.
Adam Fugitt (8-2)
A late notice call-up, concerning age, 33-year-old Adam Fugitt is yet another PPV debutant. Fugitt is a big, rounded Welterweight yet his squared-on striking will allow ample opportunity for Morales to seek takedowns. Fugitt is the more naturally confident striker and could deny Morales the time and space to operate on the outside.
Predicted Result: Morales TKO Round 2
Morales’ first-round KO over Trevin Giles provided true evidence that his freakish strength can travel up from the regionals. Fugitt is the more naturally confident striker and could deny Morales the time and space to operate on the outside. The debutant’s squared-on striking, however, will allow ample opportunity for Morales to seek takedowns – if the Ecuadorian’s hands haven’t made the difference already.
Ji Yeon Kim vs Joselyne Edwards
Women’s Flyweight (125)
Ji Yeon Kim (9-5-2)
A three-fight slide over the likes of Priscila Cachoeira, Alexa Grasso and Molly McCann. The Korean’s inability to lead a fight based on pace often sees Kim engaging on an opponent’s terms. Kim has seriously struggled to take fights to the mat over recent contests, a pathway that is crucial to the blueprint of defeating Edwards.
Joselyne Edwards (11-4)
A lengthy striker who used to time natural, reactive combinations yet now often wafts in uneducated straight shots. There remains enough variation on the feet to out-point a game Kim on the cards, but this is a stinker of an affair.
Predicted Result: Edwards Decision
Kim has seriously struggled to take fights to the mat over recent contests, a pathway that is crucial to the blueprint of defeating Edwards. Edwards has struggled to find the reactive combinations that saw her succeed in the regionals, yet her comfort on the outside should prove key.
Nick Negumereanu vs Ihor Potieria
Light Heavyweight (205)
Nick Negumereanu (12-1)
Hahaha. Battle of the padded records. Fair play to Negumereanu for picking up a three-fight streak, but damn is the competition fiercely flawed. The Romanian’s chin is pure concrete, allowing him to walk down opponents and continually push an uncomfortable pace.
Ihor Potieria (20-2)
Can crusher, Ihor Potieria is a more diverse striker and packs a decent punch but that isn’t the path to victory. The real question is whether Potieria can lead a fight for three rounds. Negumereanu will be sparked out one day, but it feels like there are still a few miles left on the clock before it happens.
Predicted Result: Negumereanu Decision
Battle of the padded records. Fair play to Negumereanu for picking up a three-fight streak, but damn is the competition fiercely flawed. The Romanian’s chin is pure concrete, allowing him to walk down opponents and continually push an uncomfortable pace. Ihor Potieria is a far more diverse striker with a decent bit of power, but the real question is whether Potieria can lead a fight for three rounds.
Orion Cosce vs Blood Diamond
Welterweight (170)
Orion Cosce (7-1)
Ye olde T-Rex arms returns after a punishing debut loss to Phillip Rowe. Cosce is a powerful wrestler, yet as seen last time out, he can be coaxed into a striking affair. Hopefully, Cosce falls back into his wrestling chops and rains punishment from top control.
Blood Diamond (3-1)
The former kickboxer hasn’t had the opportunity to truly showcase his striking arsenal as a result of lacklustre TDD. It’s an area so weak that half-arsed takedowns can often find success if an opponent is willing. Strange match-making if the UFC’s intent isn’t to just chew up Blood Diamond.
Predicted Result: Cosce TKO Round 1
Cosce is a powerful wrestler, yet as seen last time out, he can be coaxed into a striking affair. Considering just how poor Diamond’s TDD is, you’d hope Cosce has the sense to fall back onto his wrestling and rain punishment from top control.
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