The time for talk is over as Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane unify the UFC heavyweight title at the Honda Center in Anaheim at UFC 270.
Our UFC 270 Notebook discusses the preamble. Now that all fighters have made weight minus one fight that was scratched (Rodolfo Vieira vs. Wellington Turman), we have 11 fights in total. Our own UFC 270 poll has the fight too close to call.
[yop_poll id=”1″]
Kenai Andrews checks in in with his thoughts on the card.
UFC 270 FIGHT PASS PRELIMS (6:15PM ET/3:15PM PT)
KAY HANSEN (7-4-0) VS. JASMINE SUDAVICIUS (6-1-0)
Flyweights kick off the #UFC270 early prelims 👊
🇺🇸 @KayHansenMMA vs 🇨🇦 @JasJasudavicius
[ #UFC270 | TOMORROW | Early Prelims LIVE on @UFCFightPass & E+ ] pic.twitter.com/StVgBmDaHn
— UFC (@ufc) January 22, 2022
Andrews: I always pull for my fellow Canadians and though Jasmine is the bigger fighter with the reach, Hansen has the experience advantage. Hansen the American should have a plan to get inside or drag the fight to the ground for the tap.
Andrews Prediction: Kay Hansen via submission
SILVANA GOMEZ JUAREZ (10-3-0) VS. VANESSA DEMOPOULOUS (6-4-0)
On the hunt for their first UFC win 🔎
🇦🇷 Silvana Gomez Juarez vs 🇺🇸 @Monster_Demo
[ #UFC270 | TOMORROW | Early Prelims LIVE on @UFCFightPass & E+ ] pic.twitter.com/yG2LvchGNT
— UFC (@ufc) January 22, 2022
Andrews: Tough one to call. Vanessa has fought better opponents but can she deal with the length and striking of Silvana. I think Silvana scores enough points to take it.
Andrews Prediction: Silvana Gomez Juarez via UD
UFC 270 PRELIMS (8PM ET/5PM PT)
MATT FREVOLA (8-3-1) VS. GENARO VALDEZ (10-0-0)
A battle at 155 opens the #UFC270 prelim action 💥
🇺🇸 @MattFre16 welcomes newcomer 🇲🇽 Genaro Valdez!
[ #UFC270 | TOMORROW | Prelims LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/K1e3SDfClC
— UFC (@ufc) January 22, 2022
Andrews: Frevola has the experience advantage here as Valdez is making his debut coming from DWCS. But I think he shakes off the UFC jitters to keep Frevola in the slump he is in.
Andrews Prediction: Genaro Valdez via UD
TONY GRAVELY (21-7-0) VS. SAIMON OLIVEIRA (18-3-0)
DWCS alums take the stage as @TonyGravely135 welcomes Saimon Oliveira to the Octagon 🎓
[ #UFC270 | TOMORROW | Prelims LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/5dw34AFyzv
— UFC (@ufc) January 22, 2022
Andrews: Gravely comes in with the experience to welcome Oliveira to the octagon, but Saimon will get the tap.
Andrews Prediction: Saimon Oliveira via submission
JACK DELLA MADDALENA (10-2-0) VS. PETE RODRIGUEZ (4-0-0)
Short notice debuts! ⏱
🇦🇺 Jack Della Maddalena faces 🇺🇸 Pete Rodriguez in the Octagon TOMORROW!
[ #UFC270 | Prelims LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/NtRN8vILhS
— UFC (@ufc) January 22, 2022
Andrews: Hard to call as both guys are making their debuts and have good finish rates. Maddalena has more bouts so I will lean towards him.
Andrews Prediction: Jack Della Maddalena via UD
RAONI BARCELOS (16-2-0) VS. VICTOR HENRY (21-5-0)
Bantamweight talents keep the prelim action rolling ⚡️
🇧🇷 @BarcelosRaoni vs 🇺🇸 @VictorHenryMMA
[ #UFC270 | TOMORROW | Prelims LIVE on @ESPN & @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/hex7ffz5EN
— UFC (@ufc) January 22, 2022
Andrews: Close fight on paper but the experience advantage goes to Raoni. He should be able to pull it out.
Andrews Prediction: Raoni Barcelos via UD
UFC 270 MAIN CARD (10PM ET/7PM PT)
MICHAEL MORALES (12-0-0) VS. TREVIN GILES (14-3-0)
Opening up the 𝑴𝑨𝑰𝑵 𝑪𝑨𝑹𝑫 at welterweight 👊
UFC newcomer 🇪🇨 @MichaelMMA21 faces 🇺🇸 @TrevinGiles!
[ #UFC270 | TOMORROW | Main Card LIVE on E+ PPV: https://t.co/Nr2IHwgXWX ] pic.twitter.com/WLHrj1KtSg
— UFC (@ufc) January 22, 2022
Andrews: A lot of guys making their debut on this card. Giles should win on paper, but I think Morales is a special kid.
Andrews Prediction: Michael Morales via TKO
CODY STAMAN (19-4-1) VS. SAID NURMAGOMEDOV (14-2-0)
Squaring off at 1️⃣3️⃣5️⃣!
🇺🇸 @CodyStamann takes on 🇷🇺 Said Nurmagomedov
[ #UFC270 | TOMORROW | Main Card LIVE on E+ PPV: https://t.co/Nr2IHwgXWX ] pic.twitter.com/Ro8oz4qLlE
— UFC (@ufc) January 22, 2022
Andrews: Both guys are just below that top tier. Have to go with Staman to overcome the striking of Nurmagomedov.
Andrews Prediction: Cody Staman via UD
MICHEL PEREIRA (26-11-0) VS. ANDRE FIALHO (14-3-0)
Fireworks coming your way! 🎇
🇧🇷 @UFCPereira welcomes 🇵🇹 Andre Fialho to the Octagon.
[ #UFC270 | TOMORROW | Main Card LIVE on E+ PPV: https://t.co/Nr2IHwgXWX ] pic.twitter.com/ZxMczDKzkd
— UFC (@ufc) January 22, 2022
Andrews: Pereira needs to be prepared as Fialho, who is making his debut, is a finisher. If he does that, he should win.
Andrews Prediction: Michel Pereira via UD
BRANDON MORENO (19-5-2) VS. DEIVESON FIGUEIREDO (20-2-1)
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 🤜🤛
[ #UFC270 | TOMORROW | Main Card LIVE on E+ PPV: https://t.co/Nr2IHwgXWX ] pic.twitter.com/EaS71IzMlv
— UFC (@ufc) January 22, 2022
Andrews: Figueiredo is overconfident. I think if he gets the upper hand, which is quite possible, he will allow Moreno to outsmart him again. He will beat himself.
Andrews Prediction: Brandon Moreno via submission
MAIN EVENT
FRANCIS NGANNOU (16-3-0) VS. #1 CIRYL GANE (10-0-0)
ICYMI: Get ready for UFC 270 with the latest from @KenaiAndrews. In the Clinch: Francis Ngannou or Ciryl Gane? https://t.co/bNfrZbWm8g #TheHobby pic.twitter.com/FfhAcxc4zz
— GTS Distribution S&E (@GTSDistribution) January 21, 2022
Andrews: It’s amazing how these guys handled the preamble. Entertaining, yet respectful. Despite the distractions, Ngannou looks like he is ready, but ultimately his cardio is still a question mark against a machine like Gane. If he can avoid the big shot and get it to the ground, Gane gets the tap.
Andrews Prediction: Ciryl Gane via submission
Enjoy the fights.
