UFC on ESPN+ 30: Figueiredo vs. Benavidez predictions

All eyes are on flyweight title contenders Deiveson Figueiredo (18-1-0) and Joseph Benavidez (28-6-0) for tomorrow’s UFC on ESPN+ 30 rematch at Fight Island.

Figueiredo won the first fight with an impressive second-round knockout between these two back in February, but was ineligible to claim the title because he missed weight.

This is a second opportunity for the veteran Benavidez to finally claim the flyweight title.

All fighters made weight and it’s time for Kenai Andrews to check in with his thoughts on the main card.

MAIN CARD (8PM ET/5PM PT)

ASKAR ASKAROV (11-0-1) VS. ALEXANDRE PANTOJA (22-4-0)

Andrews: Good fight. Pantoja has fought some top guys while Askarov is a good ground guy.  Have to go with the Russian to drag the fight to the ground and secure the tap.

Andrews Prediction: Askar Askarov via submission

LUANA CAROLINA (6-1-0) VS. ARIANE LIPSKI (12-5-0) 

Andrews: I think Carolina will outwork Lipski to get the decision.

Andrews Prediction: Luana Carolina via UD

MARC DIAKIESE (14-3-0) VS. RAFAEL FIZIEV (7-1-0)

Andrews: Diakiese has more experience and will use it to avoid the big shots and decision Fiziev.

Andrews Prediction: Marc Diakiese via UD

KELVIN GASTELUM (15-5-0) VS. JACK HERMANSSON (20-5-0)

Andrews: Hermansson should win on paper if he plays it safe, but I think Gastelum is a better than the record on his last couple of fights shows. He will connect and steal this fight.

Andrews Prediction: Kelvin Gastelum via TKO

MAIN EVENT 

DEIVESON FIGUEIREDO (18-1-0) VS. JOSEPH BENAVIDEZ (28-6-0)

Andrews: Benavidez gets another crack, but I think Figueiredo gets him again.

Andrews Prediction: Deiveson Figueiredo via TKO

@kenaiandrews