UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira comes into his UFC 269 title defence against Dustin Poirier a big underdog and he is embracing it.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the card.
14 fights locked and loaded to close out the last PPV of the year 🔥🏆
Who's tuning in for #UFC269 tonight?!
[ B2YB @Manscaped | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/14HxGbNaLE ] pic.twitter.com/sPP8c5k8M1
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2021
UFC 269 FIGHT PASS PRELIMS (6PM ET/3PM PT)
GILLIAN ROBERTSON (9-6-0) VS. PRISCILA CACHOEIRA (10-3-0)
The Savage takes on Zombie Girl to kick off #UFC269 tomorrow!
🇨🇦 @Savage_UFC vs 🇧🇷 @PedritaUFC
[ #UFC269 | Tomorrow | Early Prelims LIVE on @UFCFightPass & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/SPmmAbXfzD
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2021
Andrews: Can Robertson get the fight to the ground? Priscila has an interesting back story, but she missed weight. But I think she keeps the fight standing and gets the win.
Andrews Prediction: Pricilla Cachoeira via TKO
RANDY COSTA (6-2-0) VS TONY KELLEY (7-2-0)
BWs take the stage in our early prelims 💢
🇺🇸 @RandyCosta135 faces 🇺🇸 @TonyKelleyMMA tomorrow live on @UFCFightPass & @ESPNPlus! #UFC269 pic.twitter.com/CF3v14ArY7
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2021
Andrews: Costa got caught in his last fight. I think he returns to form here.
Andrews Prediction: Randy Costa via TKO
RYAN HALL (8-2-0) VS. DARRICK MINER (26-12-0)
A featherweight clash on the canvas awaits 😤
🇺🇸 @RyanHall5050 vs 🇺🇸 @DarrickMinner
[ #UFC269 | Tomorrow | Early Prelims LIVE on @UFCFightPass & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/KlI5GfdKND
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2021
Andrews: Hall had some ring rust in his last fight. He better get it together tonight or else Miner will be finer at his expense.
Andrews Prediction: Ryan Hall via UD
MIRANDA MAVERICK (9-3-0) VS. ERIN BLANCHFIELD (7-1-0)
Flyweight talents keep the action moving!
🇺🇸 @FearTheMaverick vs 🇺🇸 @Blanchfield_MMA
[ #UFC269 | Tomorrow | Early Prelims LIVE on @UFCFightPass & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/NuSVu9yREr
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2021
Andrews: Two up-and comers, tough one to call. Slight edge should go to Maverick as she has more experience and she should be motivated to atone for her last fight.
Andrews Prediction: Miranda Maverick via UD
ANDRE MUNIZ (21-4-0) VS. ERYK ANDERS (14-5-0, 1NC)
Closing out the early prelims at middleweight 💢
🇧🇷 @AndreMunizUFC vs 🇺🇸 @ErykAnders
[ #UFC269 | Tomorrow | Early Prelims LIVE on @UFCFightPass & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/VKYdDBowSv
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2021
Andrews: Anders is coming in on short notice so the advantage has to go to Muniz.
Andrews Prediction: Andre Muniz via UD
UFC 269 PRELIMS (8PM ET/5PM PT)
JORDAN WRIGHT (12-1-0) VS. BRUNO SILVA (21-6-0)
Finishers in the MW division battle it out tomorrow night 🤜🤛
🇺🇸 Jordan Wright vs 🇧🇷 Bruno Silva opens up the prelim action LIVE on ESPN2 & @ESPNPlus! #UFC269 pic.twitter.com/CBPhguZj3L
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2021
Andrews: Silva is a powerhouse who finishes but can get tapped on the fight. Wright has the game to do that if he can avoid getting caught.
Andrews Prediction: Jordan Wright via submission
AUGUSTO SAKAI (15-3-1) VS. TAI TUIVASA (12-3-0)
Heavy hitters look to make a quick night in the office tomorrow 👀
🇧🇷 @AugustoSakai vs 🇦🇺 @BamBamTuivasa
[ #UFC269 | Tomorrow | Prelims LIVE on ESPN2 & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/1qgYFVrcqE
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2021
Andrews: “Bam Bam” comes through after some early trouble.
Andrews Prediction: Tai Tuivasa via TKO
#9 PEDRO MUNHOZ (19-6-0) VS. #10 DOMINICK CRUZ (23-3-0)
A bantamweight banger you don't want to miss ⚡️
🇧🇷 @PedroMunhozMMA squares off with 🇺🇸 @DominickCruz
[ #UFC269 | Tomorrow | Prelims LIVE on ESPN2 & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/wSMnSrSO3B
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2021
Andrews: It’s time to see what Cruz can do against someone like Munhoz. Cruz still has good footwork and will be pesky unless Munhoz can catch him. Have to go with Cruz as Munhoz could not catch Aldo.
Andrews Prediction: Dominick Cruz via UD
JOSH EMMETT (16-2-0) VS. DAN IGE (15-4-0)
Non-stop action is slated in our #UFC269 featured prelim 👊
💢 @JoshEmmettUFC vs @DynamiteDan808
[ #UFC269 | Tomorrow | Prelims LIVE on ESPN2 & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/tILCq1fw1H
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2021
Andrews: Ige is unspectacular but steady. Emmett has some power and is on the rise right now.
Andrews Prediction: Josh Emmett via UD
MAIN CARD (10PM ET/7PM PT)
SEAN O’MALLEY (14-1-0) VS. RAULIAN PAIVA (21-3-0)
Opening the @ESPNPlus PPV with straight HEAT 🔥
🇧🇷 @RaulianPaivaMMA vs 🇺🇸 @SugaSeanMMA
[ #UFC269 | Tomorrow | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/bN0K8ejl9g ] pic.twitter.com/jmGZYHdSuM
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2021
Andrews: It’s time again for O’Malley to shine.
Andrews Prediction: Sean O’Malley via TKO
#6 KAI KARA FRANCE (22-9-0) VS. #7 CODY GARBRANDT (12-4-0)
An entertaining clash at flyweight is in store for us tomorrow 🍿👀
🇳🇿 @KaiKaraFrance vs 🇺🇸 @Cody_NoLove
[ #UFC269 | Tomorrow | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/bN0K8ejl9g ] pic.twitter.com/vHZ7cCLARX
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2021
Andrews: Cody has lost four of his last five. It continues against France.
Andrews Prediction: Kai Kara-France via UD
#12 GEOFF NEAL (13-4-0) VS. #14 SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO (28-4-0)
Talented 170ers take the stage 👊
🇺🇸 @HandzOfSteelMMA goes head-to-head with 🇦🇷 @SPonzinibbioMMA tomorrow night!
[ #UFC269 | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/bN0K8ejl9g ] pic.twitter.com/MxsHBqKomN
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2021
Andrews: Neal looked bad in his last two fights. And Ponzinibbio has no time to feel sorry.
Andrews Prediction: Santiago Ponzinibbio via TKO
(C) AMANDA NUNES (21-4-0) VS. #14 JULIANNA PENA (10-4-0)
I N T E N S E 🔥
🏆 @Amanda_Leoa vs 🇻🇪 @VenezuelanVixen
[ #UFC269 | Tomorrow | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/bN0K8ejl9g ] pic.twitter.com/5Honvgic1B
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2021
Andrews: The talking has been interesting but now it’s time to Amanda to take care of business. Amanda needs to be prepared and not let the fight go to the ground. If she can do that, this fight should be over fairly quickly.
Andrews Prediction: Amanda Nunes via TKO
MAIN EVENT
(C) CHARLES OLIVEIRA (31-8-0) VS. #1 DUSTIN POIRIER (26-8-0)
There’s business to be settled 👔
🏆 @CharlesDoBronxs vs 🇺🇸 @DustinPoirier goes down TOMORROW NIGHT!
[ #UFC269 | Tomorrow | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/bN0K8ejl9g ] pic.twitter.com/dpNNvWLRpx
— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2021
Andrews: Can Oliveira survive on the feet long enough to work on the ground? Poirier has the striking edge and is pretty good on the ground too. I think he overcome a gritty effort from “Do Bronx.”
Andrews Prediction: Dustin Poirier via UD
Enjoy the fights!
