The UFC is back at the Apex in Las Vegas this weekend as middleweights Uriah Hall and Sean Strickland throw down in the main event.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main event.
MAIN CARD (9PM ET/6PM PT)
BRYAN BARBERENA (15-7-0) VS. JASON WITT (18-7-0)
Andrews: Barberena should be the favourite here but is he fully healthy? Witt lost his last bout in 16 seconds and should be better here. I’m going with Barberena to edge out a decision.
Andrews Prediction: Bryan Barberena via UD
NIKLAS STOLZE (12-4-0) JARED GOODEN (17-6-0)
Andrews: Gooden has enjoyed healthy height and reach advantages in his last two bouts, yet lost both of them. I think Stolze has watched those bouts and will come up with a plan to get the decision.
Andrews Prediction: Niklas Stolze via UD
CHEYANNE BUYS (5-2-0) VS. GLORIA DE PAULA (5-3-0)
Andrews: Both fighters are DWCS alums and on paper it’s a tossup. Buys edges out a decision.
Andrews: Cheyanne Buys via UD
KYUNG HO KANG (17-8-0, 1NC) VS. RANI YAHYA (27-10-1)
Stepping into the co-main spotlight 🤩
🇰🇷 Kyung Ho Kang faces 🇧🇷 @RaniYahya_MMA TOMORROW night!
[ #UFCVegas33 | Main Card 9pmET | @ESPN & E+ ] pic.twitter.com/xCkFzkhhw4
— UFC (@ufc) July 30, 2021
Editor’s Note: This fight has been cancelled because of Yahya testing positive for COVID-19
COLLIN ANGLIN (8-1-0) VS. MELSIK BAGHDASARYAN (5-1-0)
Andrews: This fight replaces the Kang vs. Yahya bout. Both of these guys are DWCS alums making their octagon debuts. Both guys look pretty good in the striking department, Melsik’s one loss was a submission. I think Anglin has the slight edge.
Andrews Prediction: Collin Anglin via UD
MAIN EVENT
#8 URIAH HALL (17-9-0) VS. #11 SEAN STRICKLAND (23-3-0)
Good vibes only 😅
💢 @UriahHallMMA vs @SStricklandMMA headline TOMORROW NIGHT!
[ #UFCVegas33 | Main Card 9pmET | @ESPN & E+ ] pic.twitter.com/W3RHxE6shi
— UFC (@ufc) July 30, 2021
Andrews: Which Uriah Hall will show up? And what will Hall do to deal with the pressure of Strickland? If Hall comes prepared, he should be able to keep Strickland at bay, otherwise Strickland will overwhelm him. Strickland is coming prepared for sure.
Andrews Prediction: Sean Strickland via UD
Enjoy the fights.
