UFC Vegas 66 | Pintsized Background
Finally, we’ve reached the end of a whirlwind MMA year with UFC Vegas 66. There isn’t much on offer to entice a casual crowd, but hardcore fans will be suitably happy with the UFC Vegas 66 Main Card. Strickland and Cannonier ensure at least one of the fighters disappears into obscurity, while Tsarukyan and Ismagulov will hopefully see a future Lightweight contender emerge.
Lower down on the UFC Vegas 66 preliminary card, Cheyanne Vlismas and Cory McKenna lock horns in a forgettable Women’s Strawweight affair. Probably shouldn’t use the word affair, however… Moving on, Pintsized’s pick of the prelims involves a fascinating technical showdown between Said Nurmagomedov and Saidyokub Kakhramonov in the stacked Bantamweight division.
Pintsized’s bite-sized prediction for UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs Strickland is Arman Tsarukyan def. Damir Ismagulov by UD.
Where/When is UFC Vegas 66 taking place:
December 17, 2022. UFC Apex. Nevada, United States.
What time does UFC Vegas 66 start:
🇬🇧 UK: 9pm / 🇺🇸 US ET: 4pm
What channel is UFC Vegas 66 on:
🇬🇧 UK: BT Sports / 🇺🇸 US: ESPN+
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UFC Vegas 66 Picks & Odds
| UFC Vegas 66 Odds | UFC Vegas 66 Predictions |
|---|---|
| Jared Cannonier vs Sean Strickland Odds: (-115) / (-105) | Jared Cannonier vs Sean Strickland Prediction: Cannonier TKO Round 2 |
| Arman Tsarukyan vs Damir Ismagulov Odds: (-195) / (+165) | Arman Tsarukyan vs Damir Ismagulov Prediction: Tsarukyan Decision |
| Amir Albazi vs Alessandro Costa Odds: (-425) / (+340) | Amir Albazi vs Alessandro Costa Prediction: Albazi Submission Round 1 |
| Alex Caceres vs Julian Erosa Odds: (+140) / (-165) | Alex Caceres vs Julian Erosa Prediction: Erosa Decision |
| Drew Dober vs Bobby Green Odds: (-155) / (+135) | Drew Dober vs Bobby Green Prediction: Dober Decision |
| Cody Brundage vs Michal Oleksiejczuk Odds: (+230) / (-275) | Cody Brundage vs Michal Oleksiejczuk Prediction: Oleksiejczuk TKO Round 2 |
| Cheyanne Vlismas vs Cory McKenna Odds: (-190) / (+160) | Cheyanne Vlismas vs Cory McKenna Prediction: Vlismas Decision |
| Jake Matthews vs Matt Semelsberger Odds: (-305) / (+255) | Jake Matthews vs Matt Semelsberger Prediction: Matthews Decision |
| Said Nurmagomedov vs Saidyokub Kakhramonov Odds: (-105) / (-115) | Said Nurmagomedov vs Saidyokub Kakhramonov Prediction: Nurmagomedov Decision |
| Maheshate vs Rafa Garcia Odds: (+130) / (-150) | Maheshate vs Rafa Garcia Prediction: Garcia Decision |
| Bryan Battle vs Rinat Fakhretdinov Odds: (+135) / (-155) | Bryan Battle vs Rinat Fakhretdinov Prediction: Fakhretdinov Decision |
| David Dvorak vs Manel Kape Odds: (+195) / (-230) | David Dvorak vs Manel Kape Prediction: Kape TKO Round 3 |
| Sergey Morozov vs Journey Newson Odds: (-330) / (+275) | Sergey Morozov vs Journey Newson Prediction: Morozov TKO Round 1 |
UFC Vegas 66: Main Event
Jared Cannonier vs Sean Strickland
Middleweight (185)
Jared Cannonier (15-6)
On the face of it, it feels silly not to back Jared Cannonier’s clubbing power against a fighter who presses on a straight line. Questions may have been raised after Cannonier’s failed title shot last time out, regarding just how much is left in the tank for the 38-year-old. Adesanya was a stylistic nightmare for the low-output fighter, however. The changing of hands with Alex Pereira as Middleweight champion may have lit one last push in Cannonier for UFC gold. The killer for the ‘Killa Gorilla’ is his inability to maintain any sort of consistent output. He tends to catch opponents cold with his freak explosive bursts, but he also drops several rounds in the process.
Sean Strickland (25-4)
It’s quite amusing that the MMA community pretty much universally agreed to ignore Sean Strickland’s antics outside of the octagon – naughty child in the corner kinda vibe. After a crushing first-round loss to Alex Pereira, Strickland has been the butt of much ridicule, not least for his comedically shoddy pressure – broken high guard, zero entries on angles, pumping a consistent limp jab. But, as many have probably not watched Strickland outside of the meme’d loss, I regret to inform you that that is indeed how Strickland has fought since his return in 2020. The sad state of the 185lb division is that it regularly works.
Cannonier vs Strickland Prediction: Cannonier TKO Round 2
After a crushing first-round loss to Alex Pereira, Strickland has been the butt of much ridicule, not least for his comedically shoddy pressure – broken high guard, zero entries on angles, pumping a consistent limp jab. Unfortunately, that wasn’t a one-off but instead has been the core of Strickland’s game since returning to the UFC in 2020. On the face of it, it feels silly not to back Jared Cannonier’s explosive bursts of clubbing power against a fighter who will walk onto it. Don’t be surprised if Strickland’s relentless volume grits out a fairly dull decision, however. I’m backing a bit of highlight reel action to cap off the year.
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UFC Vegas 66: Co-Main Event
Arman Tsarukyan vs Damir Ismagulov
Lightweight (155)
Arman Tsarukyan (18-3)
A belter of a co-main event. Arman Tsarukyan is still only 26 years old and has time to iron out his striking. That isn’t to say the Armenian is sloppy on the feet, rather he tends to fall into predictable single shots and short combinations by the championship rounds. To start with, however, Tsarukyan’s power and speed tend to edge opponents early. Wrestling and crushing ground’n’pound are Tsarukyan’s deadliest weapons but he showed the chinks in his armour when he met a similar wrestling threat in Mateusz Gamrot.
Damir Ismagulov (24-1)
Write off Damir Ismagulov at your own peril. The Kazakh may not have the most exciting tape to watch (100% decision wins in UFC), but he is sickeningly consistent. Ismagulov owns a freak jab and a 2″ reach advantage over Tsarukyan which should prove to be a constant frustration throughout. Additionally, Ismagulov is a pain in the arse to get to the mat – if Tsarukyan can keep the 31-year-old pinned to the mat, it would be a huge statement.
Tsarukyan vs Ismagulov Prediction: Tsarukyan Decision
Damir Ismagulov’s reach advantage, superb jab and TDD could create a frustrating night’s work for Tsarukyan. If Tsarukyan can keep the 31-year-old pinned to the mat, it would be a huge statement. Even though the Armenian’s striking tends to devolve into predictable single shots by the championship rounds, Tsarukyan tends to have an advantage in speed early on. This stinks of a controversial split decision – shout-out to Paddy Pimblett.
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UFC Vegas 66: Main Card
Amir Albazi vs Alessandro Costa
Flyweight (125)
Amir Albazi (15-1)
What was supposed to be Amir Albazi’s breakout weekend has devolved into another case of ‘keep warm’ opposition. While the unfortunate circumstances are in no way the Iraqi’s fault, it’s a crying shame that Albazi’s prime years are spent treating water in the division. The fans deserve top match-ups featuring the freak submission artist and explosive wrestler.
Alessandro Costa (12-2)
A huge late-notice call-up for the Brazilian in his UFC debut. Costa was hardly rushed into the organisation after a lukewarm split decision win in the DWCS, returning to fight in the Mexican regionals just two months ago. A twelve-second KO over Carlos Gomez for the Lux League Flyweight Championship was enough for the UFC to call back Costa. Unfortunately, Costa’s TDD isn’t on the level to keep this fight competitive for long.
Albazi vs Costa Prediction: Albazi Submission Round 1
What was supposed to be Amir Albazi’s breakout weekend has devolved into another case of ‘keep warm’ opposition. The fans deserve top match-ups featuring the freak submission artist and explosive wrestler. Alessandro Costa enters off the back of a twelve-second KO over Carlos Gomez for the Lux League Flyweight Championship two months ago. A little further back in the timeline, however, Costa barely scraped through his DWCS debut. Costa’s TDD isn’t on the level to keep this fight competitive for long.
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Alex Caceres vs Julian Erosa
Featherweight (145)
Alex Caceres (19-13)
One of the most entertaining gatekeepers in combat sports, Alex Caceres snapped his five-fight streak with a comprehensive decision loss to Sodiq Yusuff. Caceres’ greatest success is utilising his freak range and natural fluidity to style on green prospects or limited journeymen. Without being to dictate the pace or frequency of exchanges, Caceres will struggle to keep up with Erosa’s pressure.
Julian Erosa (28-9)
A fighter reborn since he started his second UFC stint in 2020, Julian Erosa appears to have pieced together his puzzle. A heavy-handed pressure fighter, Erosa has just enough cage-cutting know-how to keep Caceres locked in the striking trenches. It won’t be pretty, it never is with Erosa, but we should see some exciting fireworks between the two.
Caceres vs Erosa Prediction: Erosa Decision
A fighter reborn since he started his second UFC stint in 2020, Julian Erosa appears to have pieced together his puzzle. A heavy-handed pressure fighter, Erosa has just enough cage-cutting know-how to keep Caceres locked in the striking trenches. It won’t be pretty, it never is with Erosa, but we should see some exciting fireworks between the two.
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Drew Dober vs Bobby Green
Lightweight (155)
Drew Dober (25-11)
DOUBT HIM NOW! Drew Dober was all but written off by analysts after his mini-slide to Islam Makhachev and Brad Riddell. The 34-year-old has rebounded with a couple of FOTY contenders against Terrance McKinney and Rafael Alves. Dober’s unbreakable chin allows the Lightweight to wear opponents down, but there is also the small factor of Dober’s unwavering bodywork.
Bobby Green (29-13)
As a Bobby Green fanboy, it was difficult to swallow the six-month suspension for ostarine. Green has owned up to his mistake during the build-up and offered a relatively believable excuse for unknowingly using an over-the-counter substance. The veteran remains one of the slickest counter-punchers in the division, but his high-risk defence and low output often leave him sacrificing decisions.
Dober vs Green Prediction: Dober Decision
Green has owned up to his mistake during the build-up and offered a relatively believable excuse for unknowingly using an over-the-counter substance – any drop in athletic performance is unlikely, therefore. The veteran remains one of the slickest counter-punchers in the division, but his high-risk defence and low output often leave him sacrificing decisions. Considering Dober’s unbreakable chin, he will catch the judge’s eyes with his relentless work off the front foot.
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Cody Brundage vs Michal Oleksiejczuk
Middleweight (185)
Cody Brundage (8-2)
In fairness to Brundage, he has managed to surprise me in his last two wins over Dalcha Lungiambula and Tresean Gore. While hardly representing the top of the division, Brundage has proven exceptionally lethal over the two first-round finishes. A thicc boi wrestler, the 28-year-old also seems to be better at utilising the pop in his hands.
Michal Oleksiejczuk (17-5)
Middleweight Michal Oleksiejczuk is a mythical fighter that has flown way under the radar this year. Granted, his one victory has come against Sam Alvey, but he carried his power down with an extra edge of speed at 185lbs. Facing lesser punchers down a weight class, Oleksiejczuk’s durability could see him tear up the bottom end of a dreadful division.
Brundage vs Oleksiejczuk Prediction: Oleksiejczuk TKO Round 2
Middleweight Michal Oleksiejczuk is a mythical fighter that has flown way under the radar this year. Granted, his one victory has come against Sam Alvey, but he carried his power down with an extra edge of speed at 185lbs. Brundage is a bulky wrestler who has started to better utilise the pop in his hands, but he will struggle to clean out the Pole early. Oleksiejczuk, for all his flaws, is unchanging in his 0-100mph approach in the octagon.
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UFC Vegas 66: Preliminary Card
Cheyanne Vlismas vs Cory McKenna
Women’s Strawweight (115)
Cheyanne Vlismas (7-2)
The Warrior Princess needed the loss to Montserrat Ruiz in her UFC debut to mature. Vlismas has always been a dangerous striker capable of finding her range and timing immediately, yet since the loss has controlled her aggression. As such, she no longer feels the need to chase finishes and devolve into a sloppy hook machine.
Cory McKenna (7-2)
McKenna’s bread and butter is her technical wrestling, yet seems to have fallen in love with her limited boxing since transitioning to the UFC. The Welshwoman was pieced apart on the feet by Elise Reed yet returned to winning ways with a second-round Von Flue choke over Miranda Granger. At just 23 years old, McKenna has a lot of time left to round out her skills, but Women’s Strawweight isn’t the deepest division to make gradual step-ups.
Vlismas vs McKenna Prediction: Vlismas Decision
McKenna’s bread and butter is her technical wrestling, yet seems to have fallen in love with her limited boxing since transitioning to the UFC. The Welshwoman was pieced apart on the feet by Elise Reed yet returned to winning ways with a second-round Von Flue choke over Miranda Granger. If McKenna remains deadset on striking with Vlismas then she will struggle, the latter is capable of finding her range and timing immediately.
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Jake Matthews vs Matt Semelsberger
Welterweight (170)
Jake Matthews (18-5)
Ah, the Jake Matthews paradox. Hops on a winning streak over middling opposition and convince folk that you are finally going to reach your potential from the 2014 days. After two or three fights, match with a top-15 competitor and sh*t the bed. Excuse my French but unless Matthews proves his fluid boxing against Andre Fialho was anything other than a flash in the pan, there is little reason to see the Aussie as a title contender.
Matt Semelsberger (10-4)
Matt Semelsberger, for all his improvements, represents the exact prototype of a fighter that Matthews’ can style on. Semelsberger carries early-round lights-out power but lacks the tools or traps to lead craftier opponents onto the knockout. Matthews is static in defence but he also rarely walks himself onto blind shots.
Matthews vs Semelsberger Prediction: Matthews Decision
Matt Semelsberger, for all his improvements, represents the exact prototype of a fighter that Matthews’ can style on. Semelsberger carries early-round lights-out power but lacks the tools or traps to lead craftier opponents onto the knockout. The Aussie is static in defence but he also rarely walks himself onto blind shots. There is also a wrestling outlet if Matthews feels as though he needs to put his stamp on the round.
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Said Nurmagomedov vs Saidyokub Kakhramonov
Bantamweight (135)
Said Nurmagomedov (16-2)
After falling in a competitive fight with Raoni Barcelos, Said Nurmagomedov has churned through three solid tests with varying levels of success. Don’t be fooled by the Dagestani background, Said is an electric striker with a delightful array of kicks.
Saidyokub Kakhramonov (10-2)
The Uzbeki is one of the lesser talked-about prospects on the UFC roster, albeit probably owing to the difficulty of his name. Kakhramonov is a physical beast who thoroughly overwhelmed Ronnie Lawrence and Trevin Jones. If Kakhramonov can get inside of Nurmagomedov’s kicks, he can cause the Dagestani real issues with his heavy flurries in the pocket.
Nurmagomedov vs Kakhramonov Prediction: Nurmagomedov Decision
A true toss-up between two of the biggest prospects in the Bantamweight division. If Kakhramonov can get inside of Nurmagomedov’s kicks, he can cause the Dagestani real issues with his heavy flurries in the pocket.Nurmagomedov will be the first opponent in the UFC to match Kakhramonov’s physicality, however. Kakhramonov to go 0-2 against fighters named Nurmagomedov.
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Maheshate vs Rafa Garcia
Lightweight (155)
Maheshate (9-1)
The 23-year-old prospect smashed his UFC debut with a highlight reel KO over Steve Garcia. While Garcia tends to run head-first into punishment, it was still a solid enough showcase of Maheshate’s timing. The Chinese slugger’s ceiling remains unknown but he will have to find a way to deal with Garcia’s early leg threat.
Rafa Garcia (14-3)
A durable, well-rounded fighter who can provide a stern test for anyone outside of the top 15. Garcia is more than capable of matching Maheshate’s early intensity and has proven his chin is more than capable of handling heavy artillery. If Maheshate is able to switch Garcia’s light off, we have a real talent on our hands.
Maheshate vs Garcia Prediction: Garcia Decision
Garcia is more than capable of matching Maheshate’s early intensity and has proven his chin is more than capable of handling heavy artillery. If Maheshate is able to switch Garcia’s light off, we have a real talent on our hands. More likely is that Maheshate struggles with Garcia’s ability to adapt over the three rounds.
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Bryan Battle vs Rinat Fakhretdinov
Welterweight (170)
Bryan Battle (8-1)
There’s a lot to like about Bryan Battle, least of all his first-round head kick KO over Takashi Sato. Battle eats a ton of punishment in pursuit of landing his own work and boasts a long array of tricks on the mat. On the flip side, Battle will struggle against any opposition that doesn’t wilt under pressure and offer their back.
Rinat Fakhretdinov (20-2)
Fakhretdinov barely caused a tremor in his UFC debut victory over Andreas Michailidis. The Russian carries an impressive amount of power in his hands but he tends to rely on chain-wrestling his way to decision victories. The latter is certainly a viable gameplan against Battle, who will be happy to work off his back.
Battle vs Fakhretdinov Prediction: Fakhretdinov Decision
Fakhretdinov carries an impressive amount of power in his hands but he tends to rely on chain-wrestling his way to decision victories. The latter is certainly a viable gameplan against Battle, who will be happy to work off his back. It’s hard to see a repeat head kick KO ala, Takashi Sato.
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David Dvorak vs Manel Kape
Flyweight (125)
David Dvorak (20-4)
Banger alert. David Dvorak hit his first UFC road bump against Matheus Nicolau last time out in a dull affair. The Undertaker is a volume machine who scares fighters from wrestling off his long list of rear-naked chokes.
Manel Kape (17-6)
Well, well, well – if it isn’t Mr Picograms 2.0. USADA issues aside, Kape is a phenomenal athlete who has finally started to find the right amount of ringcraft and pulling the trigger. Starboy carries unreal power for the division, but he may be kept quiet under the unrelenting barrages from Dvorak.
Dvorak vs Kape Prediction: Kape TKO Round 3
Kape is a phenomenal athlete who has finally started to find the right amount of ringcraft and pulling the trigger. Starboy carries unreal power for the division, but he may be kept quiet under the unrelenting barrages from Dvorak.
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Sergey Morozov vs Journey Newson
Bantamweight (135)
Sergey Morozov (18-5)
Morozov has enough pop to his punches to bring decent entertainment. The Kazakh fighter has folded under pressure in the UFC, but Journey Newson’s vulnerability in the opening round should allow Morozov to dictate proceedings early.
Journey Newson (10-3)
Technically, there isn’t much to flag up with Journey Newson – he proved that in his routine victory over Fernie Garcia. Unfortunately for the American, there are major durability issues that can’t really be papered over in a division dripping with his talent.
Morozov vs Newson Prediction: Morozov TKO Round 1
Technically, there isn’t much to flag up with Journey Newson – he proved that in his routine victory over Fernie Garcia. Unfortunately for the American, there are major durability issues that can’t really be papered over in a division dripping with his talent. Morozov certainly packs enough of a punch to prove this theory.
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