Pintsized Background | UFC Vegas 67 Main Card
Sean Strickland replacing Kevin Gastelum in the Main Event raises the question – has UFC Vegas 67 been upgraded as a whole? Strickland is well known for his risk-averse jabbing affairs but Gastelum has hardly set the world alight since his barn-burner against Israel Adesanya.
The UFC Vegas 67 Main Card hides its most entertaining fights underneath the less-than-glittering Main Event. Dan Ige and Damon Jackson meet in a veteran Featherweight affair that should promise pulsating transitions from striking to grappling. Meanwhile, Umar Nurmagomedov puts his undefeated record on the line against the wily operator, Raoni Barcelos.
Where/When is UFC Vegas 67 Main Card taking place:
January 14, 2022. UFC Apex. Nevada, United States.
What time does UFC Vegas 67 Main Card start:
🇬🇧 UK: 12pm / 🇺🇸 US ET: 7pm
What channel is UFC Vegas 67 Main Card on:
🇬🇧 UK: BT Sports / 🇺🇸 US: ESPN+
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UFC Vegas 67 Main Card Picks & Odds
| UFC Vegas 67 Main Card Odds | UFC Vegas 67 Main Card Predictions |
|---|---|
| Sean Strickland vs Nassourdine Imavov Odds: (+110) / (-130) | Sean Strickland vs Nassourdine Imavov Prediction: Strickland Decision |
| Dan Ige vs Damon Jackson Odds: (-125) / (+105) | Dan Ige vs Damon Jackson Prediction: Jackson Decision |
| Punahele Soriano vs Roman Kopylov Odds: (-150) / (+130) | Punahele Soriano vs Roman Kopylov Prediction: Soriano TKO Round 1 |
| Ketlen Vieira vs Raquel Pennington Odds: (-125) / (+105) | Ketlen Vieira vs Raquel Pennington Prediction: Vieira Decision |
| Umar Nurmagomedov vs Raoni Barcelos Odds: (-900) / (+625) | Umar Nurmagomedov vs Raoni Barcelos Prediction: Nurmagomedov Decision |
UFC Vegas 67: Main Event
Sean Strickland vs Nassourdine Imavov
Light Heavyweight (205)
Sean Strickland (25-5)
For all the hype that Strickland generates across social media, the American is currently sliding on a 1-2 streak which also includes a stonking first-round sleeping to Alex Pereira. Worryingly, the manner of Strickland’s defeats has remained consistent. Ear muffs on with a high guard, float out a relentless jab in the same action as a rock-em-sock-em robot and attempt to wear down his opponents. For a fighter who showcased comprehensive wrestling performances in the past, it’s a shame to see Strickland barely tap into his strengths in close-knit affairs (shooting just once, successfully, against Jared Cannonier).
Nassourdine Imavov (12-3)
It’s fair to say that hype was fairly low on the Frenchman following his majority decision loss to Phil Hawes. No one quite expected the impressive 6’3″ frame of Nassourdine Imavov to accumulate a 3-fight streak over solid competition. The Russian Sniper lives up to his name as an accurate counter-striker, but he can be overwhelmed under pressure as he struggles to find pockets of space in which to operate. Part of the issue is Imavov’s refusal to sit into his shots – an area that he may consider flipping against an opponent who will happily walk himself into the firing line.
Strickland vs Imavov Prediction: Strickland Decision
The Russian Sniper lives up to his name as an accurate counter-striker, but he can be overwhelmed under pressure as he struggles to find pockets of space in which to operate. Part of the issue is Imavov’s refusal to sit into his shots – an area that he may consider flipping against an opponent who will happily walk himself into the firing line. Frustration defines Strickland’s return to the octagon since the motorcycle accident, choosing to ignore the success of his past wrestling performances. Shooting just once (and, successfully) against Jared Cannonier last time out, it’s better to come to terms that Strickland is not going to deviate from his high-pressure, jab-heavy approach.
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UFC Vegas 67: Co-Main Event
Dan Ige vs Damon Jackson
Featherweight (145)
Dan Ige (15-6)
After Dan Ige clarted Gavin Tucker in 22 seconds, there was huge hope that 50K could kick on up the rankings with a generous fixture against Chan Sung Jung. Despite the wear and tear on the Korean Zombie, Ige was handily out-struck and out-wrestled in a one-sided affair that saw the Hawaiian surrender over ten minutes of control time. Similarly, decisive losses to Josh Emmett and Movsar Evloev have left Ige within a Featherweight purgatory. At his heart, 50K is a fighter who loves a scrap but ultimately lacks the length or pop in his hands to battle with the top dogs. His underrated grappling is an avenue that requires more focus, yet is often relegated to solely defensive purposes.
Damon Jackson (22-4-1)
At 31 years old, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Damon Jackson had much hope for a lengthy run in his return to the UFC in 2020. A POTN submission win over Mirsad Bektic shocked the odds before Ilia Topuria brutally switched off Jackson in under a round. Since then, Jackson has accumulated a healthy 4-0 streak over a variety of Featherweight stragglers. The aggressive submission artist will struggle to overwhelm Ige on the mat, but Jackson’s development on the feet (especially his control of range) could see him stealing rounds off an opponent who prefers to fight in bursts.
Ige vs Jackson Prediction: Jackson Decision
At his heart, 50K is a fighter who loves a scrap but ultimately lacks the length or pop in his hands to battle with the top dogs. His underrated grappling is an avenue that requires more focus, yet is often relegated to solely defensive purposes. On the one hand, Jackson’s aggressive pursuit of submissions will struggle to overwhelm Ige. On the other, Jackson’s development on the feet (especially his control of range) could see him stealing rounds off an opponent who prefers to fight in bursts.
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UFC Vegas 67: Main Card
Punahele Soriano vs Roman Kopylov
Middleweight (185)
Punahele Soriano (9-2)
Predicting a Punahele Soriano fight may as well be delegated to a coin flip. The 30-year-old carries venomous power and has a penchant for finding early finishes, yet his lacklustre TDD saw him drop a very worrying loss to Nick Maximov. Kopylov is hilariously sloppy and runs head-first into Soriano’s bombs, but the Russian always has the opportunity of bundling the Xtreme Couture fighter to the mat.
Roman Kopylov (9-2)
Roman Kopylov extended his stay with the UFC for a while longer with a surprising third-round TKO over Alessio Di Chirico. The Russian had been getting lit up throughout the first two rounds before Kopylov flicked a switch and out-struck Di Chirico by nearly 4-1. A deep gas tank will allow Kopylov to punish a fading Soriano down the stretch, but the Novosibirskan will still have to rely on his chin during early exchanges.
Soriano vs Kopylov Prediction: Soriano TKO Round 1
Soriano carries venomous power and has a penchant for finding early finishes, yet his lacklustre TDD saw him drop a very worrying loss to Nick Maximov. Kopylov has shown barely any intent to take fights to the mat during his UFC stint, however. Rather, Kopylov will be looking to rely upon his chin to survive early exchanges. As seen against Alessio Di Chirico, Kopylov’s deep gas tank can punish fighters down the stretch.
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Ketlen Vieira vs Raquel Pennington
Women’s Bantamweight (135)
Ketlen Vieira (13-2)
It’s quite insulting to have a potential Women’s Bantamweight title contender fight so low on a non-PPV card. Yet, it’s not as if either fighter generates much attention. Vieira’s biggest claim to fame is her hotly disputed split decision win over Holly Holm. Since being slept by Irene Aldana in 2019, Vieira has focused more-so on her wrestling base and has reaped the rewards.
Raquel Pennington (14-8)
One of the longest-serving veterans in the company, Raquel Pennington deserves a lot of respect for her service to WMMA. Shockingly, Pennington’s voluminous striking and grinding clinch game continue to find the same success it did more than a decade ago. Collecting a 4-win streak since dropping a UD to Holly Holm in 2020, Pennington has decent grounds for a title shot based on her longevity alone. The American, after all, took the fight to Nunes for over twenty minutes in her last title fight.
Vieira vs Pennington Prediction: Vieira Decision
Pennington’s voluminous striking and grinding clinch game continues to find the same success it did more than a decade ago. Collecting a 4-win streak since dropping a UD to Holly Holm in 2020, Pennington has decent grounds for a title shot based on her longevity alone. Unfortunately, since being slept by Irene Aldana in 2019, Vieira has focused more-so on her wrestling base and has reaped the rewards. Pennington’s fading athleticism has highlighted holes in her TDD that Vieira has to exploit.
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Umar Nurmagomedov vs Raoni Barcelos
Bantamweight (135)
Umar Nurmagomedov (15-0)
Undefeated Dagestani, Umar Nurmagomedov, snapped his 3-fight rear-naked choke streak with a comedically dominant UD over Nate Maness. So dominant, in fact, that Nurmagomedov ate just two significant shots while landing 74 of his own, in addition to claiming eleven minutes of control time. It’s no surprise that Umar has accumulated such a hype train behind him, least not because of his prestigious surname, but Raoni Barcelos represents a huge step up in quality.
Raoni Barcelos (17-3)
It kills me to admit but Raoni Barcelos’ best days are likely behind him. The Brazilian’s prime was flittered away by the UFC brass who refused to give a push to one of their most exciting fighters. Barcelos remains a nuisance on the mat to control and an explosive threat on the feet, but he struggled with the pace set by Timur Valiev and Victor Henry. Without any easily identifiable chinks in Umar’s armour, the fight stinks of a close affair with Umar’s activity pipping Barcelos.
Nurmagomedov vs Barcelos Prediction: Nurmagomedov Decision
Barcelos remains a nuisance on the mat to control and an explosive threat on the feet, but he struggled with the pace set by Timur Valiev and Victor Henry. Umar Nurmagomedov may have a dangerous hype train behind him, but it is no surprise considering the nature of his wins in the octagon. The Dagestani may have snapped his 3-fight rear-naked choke streak last time out, but it came at the expense of eating just two significant shots while landing 74 of his own against Nate Maness. Without any easily identifiable chinks in Umar’s armour, the fight stinks of a close affair with Umar’s activity pipping Barcelos.
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Pintsized Interests is just a baby finding its first steps in the big, bad world of sports journalism. If you enjoy the content that is regularly uploaded then please consider donating via the link below. Any amount is greatly appreciated, and will go towards ensuring the survival of Pintsized Interests in the long-term.