The upcoming UFC Vegas 81 fight card promises a passing of the guard in the Featherweight top-15, as Sodiq Yusuff and Edson Barboza take centre stage at the UFC Apex this Saturday.
Don’t expect the star power to end there, however. Flying under the radar is a match-up between Brazilian acrobat Michel Pereira and the hard-nosed wrestling of former TUF alumni Andre Petroski. Better yet, the ever-bloodied Darren Elkins returns to the octagon in a bid to earn his career fourth Performance of the Night bonus against the slick submission chops of TJ Brown.
Pintsized pick of the fights lands smack bang in the middle of the UFC Vegas 81 Prelims. Gear yourself up for Terrance McKinney’s kill-or-be-killed vibes to match the similarly gung-ho approach of UFC debutante, Brendon Marotte.
Sodiq Yusuff vs Edson Barboza
Nigerian-American Sodiq Yusuff is not only gaining popularity for his laid-back social media persona, but also for his exceptionally well-rounded skillset.
The anime-inspired Featherweight has built his way back up the top-15 rankings after a close-fought decision loss to Arnold Allen in 2021. Despite a lukewarm lineup of opponents, the 30-year-old fighter seems to have found his killer instinct. A 30-second submission victory over Don Shainis at the UFC Apex last year showcased his technical sharpness on a much needed highlight reel.
On the other side, veteran striker Edson Barboza is back, baby! Following back-to-back losses to Giga Chikadze and Bryce Mitchell, the 37-year-old rolled back the years with a dominant first-round KO over Billy Quarantillo.
Barboza has never managed to paper over his glaring flaws – particularly, his inability to get up off the mat and a tendency to back himself onto the cage. Luckily for the eight-time FOTN winner, his freakish speed and power remains just as potent as it once was.
Yusuff vs Barboza Prediction: Yusuff Decision
Jennifer Maia vs Viviane Araujo
Consecutive ranked losses left Jennifer Maia close to receiving the promotional boot before securing recent underdog victories over Maryna Moroz and Casey O’Neill. The 35-year-old’s freakish durability and consistency provide a tough night for most, but her one-paced style leaves much to be desired.
Maia’s opponent, and national compatriot, Viviane Araujo, has been tasked with stiff competition in the UFC. Araujo’s porous striking defence fell to Flyweight champion Alexa Grasso and top-10 competitor Amanda Ribas. The Brazilian is a physical beast, but the alarming ease in which she drops rounds will prove a flaw too far to beat Maia.
Maia vs Barboza Prediction: Maia Decision
Jonathan Martinez vs Adrian Yanez
Jonathan Martinez‘s UFC career seemed to be on shaky ground in 2021. The Californian had missed weight twice in thirteen months, as well as suffering a devasting KO loss to Davey Grant.
Then, out of the blue, Martinez kickstarted a five-fight streak that includes dubs over veteran fan favourite Cub Swanson and Dagestani prospect Said Nurmagomedov. The 29-year-old is entering his physical prime, with his famed leg kicks representing a potential counter to Adrian Yanez‘s jab-heavy gameplans.
That isn’t to write off Yanez. After all, the Texan would have been a bookies favourite in this match-up prior to his first-round dismantling to Rob Font in April this year.
Yanez, the son of a Golden Gloves winner, is regarded as one of the finest boxers in the Bantamweight division. The gulph in class between Yanez and Font was stark, however. Questions hang heavy over Yanez’s head as he enters Saturday – lest we forget Randy Costa’s one-round jabbing clinic.
Martinez vs Yanez: Martinez Decision
Michel Pereira vs Andre Petroski
Michel Pereira’s UFC career hasn’t lived up to the early hype that his three-fight finishing streak suggested. Gassing out in a decision defeat to Tristan Connelly does tend to tank your star power.
Worse yet for Pereira’s stock, his transition into a 1-2 merchant has made him unwatchable at times. Sure, the Brazilian had to more maturely utilise his natural advantages, but his technical flaws are glaring.
Can Andre Petroski, a TUF semi-finalist, shatter Pereira’s five-win streak spanning over three years? It is a ludicrous propositon on paper, the 32-year-old’s career scalp is a round one submission victory over Nick Maximov. The Penn State wrestler has the tools to avoid Pereira’s frightening power, however. Add-in the weight-related issues that plagued the Brazilian over 2023, and there is some upside to backing the dawg.
Pereira vs Petroski: Pereira TKO Round 3
Edgar Chaves vs Daniel Lacerda
Since Edgar Chaves‘ arrival to the UFC in July, he has inadvertently found himself the centre of attention. To start with, ‘Puro Chicali’ was drafted in as the fall guy to hot prospect Tatsuro Taira. A subsequent fight with Daniel Lacerda saw the 27-year-old on the verge of a career breakout moment via a standing guillotine choke.
Unfortunately for both fighters, Chris Tognoni intervened early (a career habit). It denied Lacerda the opportunity to overcome adversity, and later, denied Chavez of a career scalp after the fight was ruled a no-contest.
It is only fair that the UFC ordered an immediate rematch. Lacerda can consider himself somewhat lucky, having lost all four of his UFC fights, but his hell-for-leather style is a joy to watch.
Edgar vs Chavez Prediction: Submission Round 2
Christian Rodriguez vs Cameron Saaiman
The main event opener features Christian Rodriguez, best known for taking Raul Rosas Jr‘s undefeat record, against another undefeated prospect. Rodriguez remains an unknown talent, but a career history of weight troubles suggests that a loss would force a move to Featherweight.
Undefeated Saffer, Cameron Saaiman, will be keen to better the peformance of Rosas Jr. The baby-faced MSP has flown to a 3-0 record in the UFC, showcasing his elegance on the feet that earnt him the South African K-1 kickboxing crown. Mark the Pretorian down as one for the future.
Rodriguez vs Saaiman Prediction: Saaiman Decision
Darren Elkins vs TJ Brown
I have to come clean, Darren Elkins is one of my favourite dogs left on the rosters. Headlining the prelims against TJ Brown, the 39-year-old continues to surprise opponents with his comedic abilities to dig deep and swing the late rounds. A one-round dismantling at Cub Swanson’s hands at the end of 2021 underlined Elkin’s ever-dropping ceiling, but damn if he isn’t easy to root for.
Unfortunately for Brown, the Arkansas native has never made a similar splash in the hearts of fans. The 33-year-old has toiled through the regional scene to reach the apex, but his success was built off his plus athleticism. Despite lacking the X-factor necessary to break prime Elkins, we are currently ten fights past prime Elkins.
Elkins vs Brown Prediction: Brown Decision
Tainara Lisboa vs Ravena Oliveira
An all-Brazilian Bantamweight clash pits UFC debutante Ravena Oliveira against Tainara Lisboa. Lisboa enters the promotion riding a seven-fight finish streak after an 0-1-1 start to her professional MMA career.
The quality of opposition has been staggeringly low, though. Even by Brazilian regional standards, Oliveira has fought five debutants, going 4-1, and fought just one opponent with a 3+ fight record.
Lisboa enjoyed a similarly awful career start but at least faced Norma Dumont on her way to the UFC. A last-gasp rally to stop Jessica Rose-Clark in her last outing (somehow) stands head and shoulder above anyone else of the pair’s record.
Lisboa vs Oliveira Prediction: Lisboa Decision
Terrance McKinney vs Brendon Marotte
Love or hate his online persona, Terrance McKinney is a must-watch fighter when he enters the octagon. A kill-or-be-killed fighter, the 29-year-old Washington native has often fallen on the wrong side of the equation this past year.
Brendon Marotte will be comforted in the knowledge that McKinney can be toppled just as quickly as he can sleep an opponent. ‘The Kid’ carries heavy hands but is a visible step slower than McKinney in all facets of the stand-up game. It is safest to back McKinney, the fighter who holds the fastest finish in UFC Lightweight history.
McKinney vs Marotte Prediction: McKinney TKO Round 1
Irina Alekseeva vs Melissa Dixon
Irine Alekseeva has a long way to go before she fills the shoes of her nickname, ‘Russian Ronda’. The Bantamweight crushed Stephanie Egger via first-round kneebar submission in her UFC debut, albeit with an unfair weight advantage.
Undefeated Brit, Melissa Dixon, is a game fighter but is far too loose on the feet. A combination of static hips and arm punches will allow Alekseeva to wade her way into the pocket with relative freedom.
Alekseeva vs Dixon Prediction: Alekseeva Decision
Chris Gutierrez vs Alatengheili
Chris Gutierrez slammed into his ceiling face-first when Pedro Munhoz snapped his winning streak. El Guapo will always be a fun fighter to watch though. The 32-year-old Texan provides fireworks through his combination power punching – an aggression matched by Alatengheili. The Mongolian Knight thrives off volume and pressure, no matter how many strikes filter through his way. A toss-up between technique and heart.
Gutierrez vs Alatenheili Prediction: Gutierrez TKO Round 2
Ashley Yoder vs Emily Ducote
I am never one to call for someone’s job, but surely there has to be a limit on promotional patience? Ashley Yoder has won just once since 2019, a victory sandwiched between four deathly dull decision losses.
Perhaps envisioned by UFC matchmakers as a loser-goes-home type deal, Yoder has been paired off against Emily Ducote. The Taekwondo Black Belt was the former Invicta Strawweight Champion, but has failed to make a mark against middling competition.
Yoder vs Ducote Prediction: Ducote Decision
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