The UFC is in Columbus this weekend as heavyweights Curtis Blaydes and Chris Daukaus throw down in the heavyweight main event.
All 26 fighters made weight and we are ready to go. Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main event.
MAIN CARD (7PM ET/4PM PT)
MARC DIAKIESE (14-5-0) VS. VIACHESLAV BORSCHCHEV (6-1-0)
Andrews: Diakiese is a feisty guy but has run into some tough hombres lately and he’s in under the gun again here. Borschchev gets another stoppage.
Andrews Prediction Viacheslav Borschchev via TKO
ILIR LATIFI (15-8-0) VS. ALEXEI OLEINEIK (59-16-1)
Andrews: Latifi should get the stoppage with a good shot early.
Andrews Prediction: Ilir Latifi via TKO
ASKAR ASKAROV (14-0-1) VS. KAI-KARA FRANCE (23-9-0, 1NC)
Andrews: Askarov is the better fighter and if he is in form, should get the decision.
Andrews Prediction: Askar Askarov via UD
MATT BROWN (23-18-0) VS. BRYAN BARBERENA (16-8-0)
Andrews: Barberena is almost 10 years younger than Brown. He better take him out and quick.
Andrews Prediction: Bryan Barberena via TKO
#7 JOANNE WOOD (15-7-0) VS. #9 ALEXA GRASSO (13-3-0)
A top 10 flyweight tilt set for tomorrow’s co-main event 💢
@DrKneeEvil vs @AlexaGrasso
[ #UFCColumbus | Tomorrow | Main Card LIVE on @ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/UrtnXtOJyY
— UFC (@ufc) March 25, 2022
Andrews: Wood has lost three of her last four bouts. If this stays standing, this could be Fight of the Night, but Grasso should overcome the striking and Muay Thai of JoJo. If it goes to the ground the advantage swings to Wood. Grasso gets the narrow decision.
Andrews Prediction: Alexa Grasso via UD
MAIN EVENT
#4 CURTIS BLAYDES (15-3-0, 1NC) VS. #9 CHRIS DAUKAUS (12-4-0)
A MASSIVE main event awaits 🍿@RazorBlaydes265 vs @ChrisDaukausMMA closes the show tomorrow!
[ #UFCColumbus | Tomorrow | Main Card LIVE on @ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/1hswpDitbH
— UFC (@ufc) March 25, 2022
Andrews: Blaydes can hang with strikers and he should have the advantage on the ground too. He should figure out a way to counter and keep Daukaus at bay otherwise because one good shot by Daukaus could finish it.
Andrews Prediction: Curtis Blaydes via TKO
Enjoy the fights.