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.
UFC Vegas 67’s featured preliminary pits together two power punching Middleweights, Abdul Razak Alhassan and Claudio Riberio. Pintsized’s pick of the Prelims involves Jimmy Flick’s slick submission chops against the well-rounded skillset of Charles Johnson.
Where/When is UFC Vegas 67 taking place:
January 14, 2022. UFC Apex. Nevada, United States.
What time does UFC Vegas 67 start:
🇬🇧 UK: 9pm / 🇺🇸 US ET: 4pm
What channel is UFC Vegas 67 on:
🇬🇧 UK: BT Sports / 🇺🇸 US: ESPN+
📺 YouTube // 🐦 Twitter // 📖 Facebook
UFC Vegas 67 Picks & Odds
| UFC Vegas 67 Odds | UFC Vegas 67 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 |
| Abdul Razak Alhassan vs Claudio Ribeiro Odds: (-110) / (-110) | Abdul Razak Alhassan vs Claudio Ribeiro Prediction: Alhassan TKO Round 1 |
| Mateusz Rebecki vs Nick Fiore Odds: (-750) / (+550) | Mateusz Rebecki vs Nick Fiore Prediction: Rebecki Submission Round 2 |
| Mateus Mendonca vs Javid Basharat Odds: (+270) / (-325) | Mateus Mendonca vs Javid Basharat Prediction: Basharat Decision |
| Allan Nascimento vs Carlos Hernandez Odds: (-320) / (+265) | Allan Nascimento vs Carlos Hernandez Prediction: Nascimento Decision |
| Daniel Argueta vs Nick Aguirre Odds: (-500) / (+400) | Daniel Argueta vs Nick Aguirre Prediction: Argueta Decision |
| Jimmy Flick vs Charles Johnson Odds: (+285) / (-345) | Jimmy Flick vs Charles Johnson Prediction: Johnson 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.
Return to UFC Vegas 67 Fight Card
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.
Return to UFC Vegas 67 Fight Card
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.
Return to UFC Vegas 67 Fight Card
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.
Return to UFC Vegas 67 Fight Card
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.
Return to UFC Vegas 67 Fight Card
UFC Vegas 67: Preliminary Card
Abdul Razak Alhassan vs Claudio Ribeiro
Middleweight (185)
Abdul Razak Alhassan (11-5)
Deep into his career twilight, Alhassan is finding it increasingly difficult to set up his one-shot knockout power. The 37-year-old has spent his entire career reaping the rewards of his natural gifts, yet he lacks the tools to trap wilier opponents into eating his renowned power. Ribeiro isn’t the most risk-averse fighter but it’s unlikely that Alhassan will offer much threat outside of the opening minutes.
Claudio Ribeiro (10-2)
Brazilian, Claudio Ribeiro, enters his UFC debut on a six-fight stoppage streak, including a twenty-five-second knockout over Ivan Valenzuela on the DWCS. Ribeiro is a similar mould of fighter as Alhassan, a power puncher without the greatest fundamentals. Even now though, it is difficult to overlook Alhassan in a 50/50 exchange.
Alhassan vs Ribeiro Prediction: Alhassan TKO Round 1
Deep into his career twilight, Alhassan is finding it increasingly difficult to set up his one-shot knockout power. The 37-year-old has spent his entire career reaping the rewards of his natural gifts, yet he lacks the tools to trap wilier opponents into eating his renowned power. Thankfully, Ribeiro is a similar mould of power puncher without the greatest fundamentals. Even with Ribeiro entering the UFC on a six-fight stoppage streak, it is difficult to overlook Alhassan in an early 50/50 exchange.
Return to UFC Vegas 67 Fight Card
Mateusz Rebecki vs Nick Fiore
Lightweight (155)
Mateusz Rebecki (16-1)
The former FEN Lightweight champion, Mateusz Rebecki, came through his DWCS appearance with an impressive first-round submission victory over Rodrigo Lidio. Rebecki is a well-oiled and experienced operator who has fought solid competition during his time in FEN. The Pole will have to make a mark early in the UFC considering he is entering his 30s, but there’s reason to believe his punishing top game holds the answers.
Nick Fiore (6-0)
A relatively strange match-up, even by the UFC’s standards. Fiore is undefeated in the professional ranks and holds just one loss in the amateurs, yet the 25-year-old has never faced a meaningful test. Two of Fiore’s wins came against Jay Ellis, a fighter with a record of 15-91 and then 15-98 in the rematch. As Fiore’s best comes on the mat, it’s difficult to see the American owning the tools to catch Rebecki by surprise.
Rebecki vs Fiore Prediction: Rebecki Submission Round 2
A relatively strange match-up, even by the UFC’s standards. Fiore is undefeated in the professional ranks and holds just one loss in the amateurs, yet the 25-year-old has never faced a meaningful test. Two of Fiore’s wins came against Jay Ellis, a fighter with a record of 15-91 and then 15-98 in the rematch. Meanwhile, former FEN Lightweight champion, Mateusz Rebecki has spent most of his career fighting solid competition across European promotions. As Fiore’s best comes on the mat, it’s difficult to see the American owning the tools to catch Rebecki by surprise.
Return to UFC Vegas 67 Fight Card
Mateus Mendonca vs Javid Basharat
Bantamweight (135)
Mateus Mendonca (10-0)
Someone’s ‘0’ has to go! Brazilian debutant, Mateus Mendonca, enters the octagon off the back of a slick 48-second knockout over Asiek Ajim on the DWCS. Mendonca appears to be an athletic specimen with a high ceiling considering his spritely 23 years of age.
Javid Basharat (13-0)
Basharat represents quite the step-up in competition for a relatively green fighter, however. The Afghan is well-known for his long, bladed stance that draws memories of an early Conor McGregor. Basharat lacks the electrifying persona or one-shot power, but he still represents a large, technically polished striker.
Mendonca vs Basharat Prediction: Basharat Decision
Someone’s ‘0’ has to go! Brazilian debutant, Mateus Mendonca appears to be an athletic specimen with a high ceiling considering his spritely 23 years of age. Yet, Basharat represents quite the step-up in competition for such a green fighter. Better known as McGregor 2.0 for his long, bladed stance, Basharat lacks the electrifying persona or one-shot power, but he still represents a technically polished striker with a knack for nabbing rounds.
Return to UFC Vegas 67 Fight Card
Allan Nascimento vs Carlos Hernandez
Flyweight (125)
Allan Nascimento (19-6)
Nascimento earned himself a career scalp with a surprisingly easy decision victory over the former Cage Warrior champion, Jake Hadley. Nascimento is a huge physical specimen at Flyweight, with his athleticism papering over some of the deficiencies in his game. Although, his lay-and-pray top game is designed perfectly for the weight bully.
Carlos Hernandez (8-1)
Carlos Hernandez scraped his way to split decisions in his DWCS appearance and UFC debut over the past two years. Hernandez is a tactical striker but he lacks the tools to stamp his mark on rounds. Nascimento’s experience looks set to prove the difference.
Nascimento vs Hernandez Prediction: Nascimento Decision
Hernandez is a tactical striker but he lacks the tools to stamp his mark on rounds. Nascimento is a massive physical threat at Flyweight, with his hulking physique papering over some of the deficiencies in his game. It’s difficult to see Hernandez handling the Brazilian’s lay-and-pray game that is designed perfectly for the weight bully.
Return to UFC Vegas 67 Fight Card
Daniel Argueta vs Nick Aguirre
Featherweight (145)
Daniel Argueta (8-1)
Former LFA Bantamweight champion, Daniel Argueta, was manhandled by Damon Jackson over three rounds. Argueta struggled to keep himself standing, sacrificing over ten minutes of control time, but his heart and grit were undeniable in surviving Jackson’s aggressive submissions.
Nick Aguirre (7-0)
Undefeated regional fighter, Nick Aguirre, is yet to hear the final bell in his professional career. ‘Slick’ enters the UFC off the back of fighting cans, a worry considering the killers that populate UFC’s Bantamweight division. Aguirre’s wrestling base and submission array are foundations that can be built upon, but this represents his first test at a good level.
Argueta vs Aguirre Prediction: Argueta Decision
Former LFA Bantamweight champion, Daniel Argueta, was manhandled by Damon Jackson over three rounds. Argueta struggled to keep himself standing, sacrificing over ten minutes of control time, but his heart and grit were undeniable in surviving Jackson’s aggressive submissions. Still, Nick Aguirre faces his first test at a decent level and his wrestling base is unlikely to find the same level of success as Jackson.
Return to UFC Vegas 67 Fight Card
Jimmy Flick vs Charles Johnson
Flyweight (125)
Jimmy Flick (16-5)
After three years out of the octagon, Jimmy Flick returns following his first-round flying triangle choke over Cody Durden. Flick is a gutsy Flyweight with huge technical holes littered across his game, but damn if he isn’t a fun submission artist to watch.
Charles Johnson (12-3)
Johnson is a more consistent, well-rounded fighter who is capable of punishing any high-risk bursts from Flick. The American was lucky to get the nod against Zhalgas Zhumagulov, but he still showed his resilience and emphatic pace on the feet.
Flick vs Johnson Prediction: Johnson Decision
Johnson is a more consistent, well-rounded fighter who is capable of punishing any high-risk bursts from Flick. The American was lucky to get the nod against Zhalgas Zhumagulov, but he still showed his resilience and emphatic pace on the feet. Flick is a gutsy Flyweight with huge technical holes littered across his game, but damn if he isn’t a fun submission artist to watch.
Return to UFC Vegas 67 Fight Card
TIPPING JAR
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.
