UFC ‘London’ predictions, early ‘Prelims’ undercard preview | Volkov vs. Aspinall

Probably the most promising Heavyweights within the sport faces his stiffest take a look at so far this Saturday (March 19, 2022) when Tom Aspinall meets Alexander Volkov inside O2 Area in London, England. The ESPN+-streamed card can even see Dan Hooker return to Featherweight to face once-beaten Arnold Allen, whereas Paddy Pimblett makes his sophomore UFC look in opposition to Kazula Vargas.

Seven “Prelims” bouts set the UFC “London” primary card state stage, 4 of which we’ve damaged down beneath. Let’s start …

LIVE! Stream UFC ‘London’ On ESPN+

The wait is over! Final Preventing Championship (UFC) returns to O2 Area in London, England, on March 19, 2022, for the primary time in two years led by a hard-hitting Heavyweight showdown between top-ranked division contenders, Alexander Volkov (No. 6) and Tom Aspinall (No. 11). Within the UFC ‘London’ co-main occasion, Dan Hooker returns to Featherweight motion in opposition to Arnold Allen, whereas up-and-coming English placing sensation, Paddy Pimblett, locks horns with Rodrigo Vargas.

Don’t miss a single second of face-punching action!

125 lbs.: Molly McCann vs. Luana Carolina

A 3-fight UFC win streak for Molly McCann (11-4) gave method to consecutive losses to Taila Santos and Lara Procopio, dropping her Octagon document to .500. Undaunted, she warred her well past Ji Yeon Kim to assert each a unanimous determination and “Battle of the Evening” in Sept. 2021.

“Meatball” has ended 4 skilled fights by way of knockout.

Luana Carolina (8-2) defeated Mabelly Lima on Contender Sequence and Priscila Cachoeira within the Octagon earlier than struggling a ugly kneebar loss to Ariane Lipski. After virtually 10 months on the shelf, she returned to the win column by upsetting each Poliana Botelho and Lupita Godinez in sequence.

“Dread” is the taller of the 2 by two inches and sports activities a seven-inch attain benefit.

What sank Godinez in that struggle was her insistence on chasing takedowns even when Carolina caught onto her tips. “Crazy” truly does possess some robust boxing, however appeared reluctant to make use of it in opposition to her bigger foe. That gained’t be an issue for McCann, who landed greater than 100 important strikes in every of her 4 UFC victories. Her mix of high-volume boxing and growing wrestling ought to give Carolina all kinds of points contemplating how typically Godinez managed to get inside the Brazilian’s attain.

Carolina is certainly a stronger fighter than she’s given credit score for, however the McCann who warred her well past Kim can discover tons of success with that very same method. Ultimately, output, the occasional degree change and uncooked aggression ought to carry “Meatball” to victory.

Prediction: McCann by way of unanimous determination

135 lbs.: Jack Shore vs. Timur Valiev

Wales’ Jack Shore (15-0) established himself as one of many UK’s finest with a harmful run in Cage Warriors, the place he gained and defended the Bantamweight title earlier than making the leap to the Octagon. “Tank” has been equally efficient there, claiming victory in all 4 of his UFC appearances.

His 12 skilled finishes are cut up 8/4 between submissions and knockouts.

The disastrous knockout loss to Trevin Jones within the Octagon debut of Timur Valiev (18-2) turned a “No Contest” after Jones failed a drug take a look at, retaining “Fortunate’s” unbeaten streak intact. He has since prolonged it to 9 with determination wins over Martin Day and Raoni Barcelos, the latter of which earned him a “Efficiency of the Evening” bonus.

He offers up two inches of peak and 4 inches of attain to Shore.

Velocity appears just like the deciding issue right here. Valiev’s footwork and rapid-fire mixtures seem like greater than Shore’s technically sound kickboxing can deal with, and although “Fortunate” has confirmed concerningly fragile throughout his Octagon tenure, Shore ostensibly doesn’t have the one-shot energy to place him away.

Shore’s finest weapon is his prime sport, which Valiev’s personal glorious wrestling figures to take off the desk even when the Dagestani can’t land takedowns of his personal. Ultimately, count on a high-paced placing battle through which Valiev’s output, motion and basic quickness win the day.

Prediction: Valiev by way of unanimous determination

125 lbs.: Cory McKenna vs. Elise Reed

Cory McKenna (6-1) went 4-1 underneath the Cage Warriors banner earlier than out-grappling the damaging Vanessa Demopoulos to assert a contract on Contender Sequence. Three months later, “Poppins” efficiently debuted within the Octagon with a slim determination over fellow younger gun Kay Hansen.

This can be her first struggle in 16 months, as she withdrew from a deliberate Sept. 2021 conflict with Emily Whitmire.

Elise Reed (4-1) edged out future Contender Sequence graduate Jasmine Jasudavicius to assert Cage Fury gold in her second professional struggle, then defeated Jillian DeCoursey and Hilarie Rose in a pair of title defenses. This arrange a late-notice conflict with the a lot bigger Sijara Eubanks, who pounded out Reed late within the first spherical.

She has scored two knockouts as an expert.

It’s price stating that Reed was a former Atomweight taking over a pure Bantamweight in her UFC debut. She’s very succesful when preventing girls her measurement, and I count on a a lot stronger efficiency from her this time round.

I nonetheless don’t suppose she’ll win, although. Although much less adept together with her kicks, McKenna has a transparent edge in hand velocity and on the bottom. As long as McKenna stays on the entrance foot, smothers Reed’s kicks, and threatens takedowns, she’s bought the instruments to win this. I say she does, mixing placing and wrestling to take a transparent determination.

Prediction: McKenna by way of unanimous determination

135 lbs.: Nathaniel Wooden vs. Vince Morales

Nathanial Wooden (17-5) lived as much as his “Prospect” moniker with three consecutive submission wins within the Octagon, considered one of which earned him “Efficiency of the Evening.” He now sits at 1-2 in his final three, a choice over John Castaneda sandwiched between losses to John Lineker and Casey Kenney.

This marks his first look in almost 17 months.

Vince Morales (11-5) stumbled out of the UFC gate with losses in three of his first 4 appearances, amongst them a leg kick technical knockout courtesy of Chris Gutierrez. Then got here consecutive victories over Drako Rodriguez and Louis Smolka, the latter of which marked his first knockout win since 2018.

“Vandetta” steps in for Liudvik Sholinian on two weeks’ discover.

The one-note Sholinian would have doubtless been straightforward pickings for Wooden, and although Morales presents a really completely different form of problem, it’s nonetheless “the Prospect’s” struggle. Wooden commonly exhibits off the highly effective floor work and thudding low kicks which have given Morales a lot hassle prior to now, giving him a number of avenues to victory. The one actual risk is Morales’ sledgehammer proper hand, which “Vandetta” has struggled to land with any consistency within the Octagon.

Even when Wooden peaks beneath the High 10, he’s greater than confirmed his potential to deal with Morales-level fighters. Briefly, he tears up the latter’s legs and dominates him on the mat for both a large determination or late stoppage.

Prediction: Wooden by way of second spherical submission

Three extra UFC London “Prelims” undercard bouts stay to preview and predict, together with the Octagon debut of 21-year-old phenom, Muhammad Mokaev. Similar time tomorrow, Maniacs.

Keep in mind that MMAmania.com will ship LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow protection of all the UFC London struggle card proper here, beginning with the ESPN+ “Prelims” matches, that are scheduled to start at 1 p.m. ET, then the remaining primary card stability (additionally on ESPN+) at 4 p.m. ET.

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