UFC 274 is in a state of shock right now and everybody is weighing in on it.
Lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, who thought he was on weight, missed it by half a pound and is ineligible to win the title, leaving challenger Justin Gaethje a grand opportunity.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the card.
UFC 274 FIGHT PASS PRELIMS (5:30PM ET/2:30 PM PT)
JOURNEY NEWSON (9-3-0) VS. FERNANDO GARCIA (10-1-0)
Kicking things off in the lightweight division 💪@JourneyJ135UFC vs @TeamFGarcia open up #UFC274!
[ #UFC274 | TOMORROW | Early Prelims Live on @ESPNPlus & @UFCFightPass ] pic.twitter.com/sMz2rLwtOD
— UFC (@ufc) May 6, 2022
Andrews: Newson needs a win badly. He has the UFC experience but I think Garcia, who is coming from the DWCS, will get the win.
Andrews Prediction: Fernando Garcia via UD
ARIANE CARNELOSSI (14-2-0) VS. LUPITA GODINEZ (7-2-0)
Strawweight talents take the stage next!
💢 @ArianeSorrisoo faces @LoopyGodinez TOMORROW night!
[ #UFC274 | Early Prelims Live on @ESPNPlus & @UFCFightPass ] pic.twitter.com/OO4R2JNevz
— UFC (@ufc) May 6, 2022
Andrews: A good match on paper. I like the striking of Carnelossi to overcome Godinez for the finish.
Andrews Prediction: Ariane Carnelossi via TKO
KLEYDSON RODRIGUES (7-1-0) VS. C.J. VERGARA (9-3-1)
A clash of DWCS alums comes your way 🎓
Kleydson Rodrigues vs @CJVergara1991
[ #UFC274 | TOMORROW | Early Prelims Live on @ESPNPlus & @UFCFightPass ] pic.twitter.com/K7iP2IseCl
— UFC (@ufc) May 6, 2022
Andrews: On paper, Vergara has the experience advantage, but I think Rodrigues has the game to frustrate him.
Andrews Prediction: Kleydson Rodrigues via UD
TRACY CORTEZ (9-1-0) VS. MELISSA GATTO (8-0-2)
Someone’s win streak MUST GO 👀@TracyCortezMMA vs @MGattoMMA
[ #UFC274 | Tomorrow | Early Prelims Live on @ESPNPlus & @UFCFightPass ] pic.twitter.com/rOqzm585kV
— UFC (@ufc) May 6, 2022
Andrews: Cortez has good striking but Gatto is also a ground threat. I think she has a chance to get the tap or control the fight on the ground for the decision.
Andrews Prediction: Melissa Gatto via submission
ANDRE FIALHO (15-4-0) VS. CAMERON VANCAMP (15-5-1)
What a stare down between @AndreFialhoJr1 & @CameronVanCamp 😳
[ #UFC274 | TOMORROW | Early Prelims Live on @ESPNPlus & @UFCFightPass ] pic.twitter.com/2OK1zbaSu1
— UFC (@ufc) May 6, 2022
Andrews: VanCamp is making his debut. I am looking for Andre to take advantage and look for the knockout.
Andrews Prediction: Andre Fialho via TKO
BLAGOY IVANOV (18-4-0) VS. MARCOS ROGERIO DE LIMA (19-7-1)
Heavy hitters go head-to-head to close out the early prelims 👊
Blagoy Ivanov vs @Pezao011
[ #UFC274 | Tomorrow | Early Prelims Live on @ESPNPlus & @UFCFightPass ] pic.twitter.com/jLCjiIDh3C
— UFC (@ufc) May 6, 2022
Andrews: If Ivanov can avoid the big shot, I can see him getting the decision. But I do think de Lima catches him.
Andrews Prediction: Marcos Rogerio de Lima via TKO
BRANDON ROYVAL (13-6-0) VS. MATT SCHNELL (15-5-0)
Top 1️⃣0️⃣ flyweights get the #UFC274 prelim action underway! @BrandonRoyval vs @Danger_Caged
[ #UFC274 | TOMORROW | Prelims Live on @ESPN & E+ ] pic.twitter.com/1MrIcTcKaT
— UFC (@ufc) May 6, 2022
Andrews: Close match on paper. Both like the ground but Royval has fought better opponents. He prevails in this close one.
Andrews Prediction: Brandon Royval via UD
MACY CHIASSON (7-2-0) VS. NORMA DUMONT (7-1-0)
Looking to make statements tomorrow night 😤
Macy Chiasson squares off against @NormaDumont5!
[ #UFC274 | TOMORROW | Prelims Live on @ESPN & E+ ] pic.twitter.com/BmxHteUf0y
— UFC (@ufc) May 6, 2022
Andrews: Dumont missed weight, but I think dh still wins.
Andrews Prediction: Norma Dumont via TKO
FRANCISCO TRINALDO (27-8-0) VS. DANNY ROBERTS (18-5-0)
A clash at WW is UP NEXT!
💢 @MassarandubaMMA vs @DanHotChocolate
[ #UFC274 | Tomorrow | Prelims Live on @ESPN & E+ ] pic.twitter.com/AVRQ6MGUMM
— UFC (@ufc) May 6, 2022
Andrews: Roberts is almost 10 years younger but is facing a strong wrestler. He needs to hurt Trinaldo and keep it standing. Have to give it to Trinaldo.
Andrews Prediction: Francisco Trinaldo via UD
RANDY BROWN (14-4-0) VS. KALINN WILLIAMS (13-2-0)
Closing the #UFC274 prelims with fireworks 🎆@TouchNgo_ vs @KhaosOXWilliams
[ #UFC274 | Tomorrow | Prelims Live on @ESPN & E+ ] pic.twitter.com/CW0EYjhx6e
— UFC (@ufc) May 6, 2022
Andrews: Brown will be careful and try to avoid the power of Williams. Get the decision and get out of there.
Andrews Prediction:Randy Brown via UD
DONALD CERRONE (36-16-0) VS. JOE LAUZON (28-15-0)
Opening the main card with two UFC legends 🙌@CowboyCerrone vs @JoeLauzon
[ #UFC274 | Tomorrow | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/cbSgXSY8xj ] pic.twitter.com/kGexCfHZiU
— UFC (@ufc) May 6, 2022
Andrews: One for old times sake. Let’s if Cerrone can back up his words and become Cowboy one more time.
Andrews Prediction: Donald Cerrone via UD
MAURICO RUA (27-12-1) VS. OVINCE ST. PREUX (25-16-0)
Ready for their rematch 😤@ShogunRua vs @003_OSP
[ #UFC274 | Tomorrow | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/cbSgXSY8xj ] pic.twitter.com/d5mbA6rG8E
— UFC (@ufc) May 6, 2022
Andrews: Can OSP return to form? if he can, he as a good shot, but I think he gives Rua a chance to steal it.
Andrews Prediction: Shogun Rua via TKO
#5 MICHAEL CHANDLER (22-7-0) VS. #7 TONY FERGUSON (25-6-0)
Potential FOTY incoming!
🔥@MikeChandlerMMA and @TonyFergusonXT square off TOMORROW NIGHT!
[ #UFC274 | Tomorrow | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/cbSgXSY8xj ] pic.twitter.com/CdJpJf4iaQ
— UFC (@ufc) May 6, 2022
Andrews: Chandler turns back “El Cucuy,” who hasn’t looked good I fight in a long time.
Andrews Prediction: Michael Chandler via TKO
(C) ROSE NAMAJUNAS (11-4-0) VS. CARLA ESPARZA (18-6-0)
Running it back for the belt 🏆@RoseNamajunas vs @CarlaEsparza1
[ #UFC274 | Tomorrow | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/cbSgXSY8xj ] pic.twitter.com/n31Ig8zvmp
— UFC (@ufc) May 6, 2022
Andrews: Esparza beat Namajunas way back at TUF 20 to become the first champion. Rose has grown a lot since then but Carla givers another scare but this time, Rose gets it.
Andrews Prediction: Rose Namajunas via TKO
MAIN EVENT
CHARLES OLIVEIRA (32-8-0, 1NC) VS. #1 JUSTIN GAETHJE (23-3-0)
49 combined finishes, one 𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐄 fight 💥@CharlesDoBronxs vs @Justin_Gaethje – TOMORROW!
[ #UFC274 | Tomorrow | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/cbSgXSY8xj ] pic.twitter.com/XSzzmjusNB
— UFC (@ufc) May 6, 2022
Andrews: The scale controversy should motivate Oliveira to win as I was initially going with Gaethje.
Andrews Prediction: Charles Oliveira via submission
Enjoy the fights.
