It’s an intense fight weekend at UFC 276, symbolized by the staredown between middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and challenger Jared Cannonier.
Adesanya at 6-4 towered over the 6-0 Cannonier, but the potential energy between the two was enough to power the T-Mobile Arena. The fight is official, which means we will see who will reign supreme Saturday night.
Straight electricity ⚡️@StyleBender vs @KillaGorillaMMA
[ #UFC276 | Tomorrow | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/f2ejdXg5Hv ] pic.twitter.com/Hv26CURhEW
— UFC (@ufc) July 1, 2022
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the card.
UFC 276 FIGHT PASS PRELIMS (6PM ET/3PM PT)
JESSICA-ROSE CLARK (11-7-0, 1NC) VS. JULIJIA STOLIARENKO (9-6-2)
Bantamweights ready to kick off the #UFC276 action 💢@MissJessyJess vs Julija Stoliarenko
[ #UFC276 | Tomorrow | Early Prelims LIVE on @UFCFightPass & ESPN+ ] pic.twitter.com/CxbWLoN1pq
— UFC (@ufc) July 1, 2022
Andrews: Both fighters have struggled as of late. But I give it to Jessy Jess to eke out the decision.
Andrews Prediction: Jessica-Rose Clark via UD
JESSICA EYE (15-10-0, 1NC) VS. MAYCEE BARBER (10-2-0)
125ers take the stage to continue the early prelims💥 @JessicaEvilEye takes on @MayceeBarber TOMORROW!
[ #UFC276 | Early Prelims LIVE on @UFCFightPass & ESPN+ ] pic.twitter.com/9uiKMLwWQi
— UFC (@ufc) July 1, 2022
Andrews: Jessica Eye has been in the UFC since 2013! But she has lost three straight. Barber is 11 years younger and I expect her to take Jessica out.
Andrews Prediction: Maycee Barber via TKO
#9 URIAH HALL (17-10-0) VS. #13 ANDRE MUNIZ (22-4-0)
A clash amongst ranked MWs goes down tomorrow night 😤@UriahHallMMA vs @AndreMunizUFC
[ #UFC276 | Early Prelims LIVE on @UFCFightPass & ESPN+ ] pic.twitter.com/CRLGCVDkgK
— UFC (@ufc) July 1, 2022
Andrews: Uriah Hall is a nice guy but he needs to be an animal on the feet to keep Muniz from taking it to the ground. Muniz will overcome some early trouble and get the tap.
Andrews Prediction: Andre Muniz via submission
UFC 276 PRELIMS (8PM ET/5PM PT)
BRAD TAVARES (19-6-0) VS. DRICUS DU PLESSIS (16-2-0)
Front and center on 𝑷𝑹𝑰𝑴𝑬𝑻𝑰𝑴𝑬 📺@BradTavares vs @DricusDuPlessis get the prelims underway LIVE on @ABCNetwork tomorrow night! #UFC276 pic.twitter.com/z5dA1nIcYY
— UFC (@ufc) July 1, 2022
Andrews: This is a great test for Driscus. Tavares will be tough and thus Du Plessis takes a decision.
Andrews Prediction: Driscus Du Plessis via UD
JIM MILLER (34-16-0, 1NC) VS. DONALD CERRONE (36-16-0, 2NC)
A legendary rematch awaits us live & free on ABC 👏@JimMiller_155 vs @CowboyCerrone tomorrow night!
[ #UFC276 | Tomorrow | Prelims LIVE on @ABCNetwork ] pic.twitter.com/yyB7ps0DSw
— UFC (@ufc) July 1, 2022
Andrews: Cowboy is winless in seven fights and it will continue as Jim Miller gets some revenge with a TKO.
Andrews Prediction: Jim Miller via TKO
IAN GARRY (9-0-0) VS. GABRIEL GREEN (11-3-0)
The FUTURE @IanGarryMMA takes on @GiftedGabeGreen 👊
[ #UFC276 | Tomorrow | Prelims LIVE on @ABCNetwork ] pic.twitter.com/rFVdT8JcVc
— UFC (@ufc) July 1, 2022
Andrews: Garry gets a good test in Green but I expect The Future to prevail.
Andrews Prediction: Ian Garry via UD
BRAD RIDDELL (10-2-0) VS JALIN TURNER (12-5-0)
This featured prelim is CAN’T MISS 🍿@BradQuakeRiddel vs @JalinTurner
[ #UFC276 | Tomorrow | Prelims LIVE on @ABCNetwork ] pic.twitter.com/25geE5ya92
— UFC (@ufc) July 1, 2022
Andrews: Jalin Turner takes this one if he doesn’t get hit with the big shot.
Andrews Prediction: Jalin Turner via UD
UFC 276 MAIN CARD (10 PM ET/7PM PT)
#13 SEAN O’MALLEY (15-1-0) VS. #10 PEDRO MUNHOZ (19-7-0, 1NC)
Bantamweights ready to kick off the main card with a bang 💥@PedroMunhozMMA vs @SugaSeanMMA
[ #UFC276 | Tomorrow | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/f2ejdXg5Hv ] pic.twitter.com/Mv3o4tnzpE
— UFC (@ufc) July 1, 2022
Andrews: Sugar Sean comes out in full effect and he better, or else Munhoz will punch his lights out.
Andrews Prediction: Sean O’Malley via TKO
ROBBIE LAWLER (29-15-0, 1NC) VS. BRYAN BARBERENA (17-8-0)
These welterweights ready to 𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐖𝐋 🔥@Ruthless_RL vs @Bryan_Barberena
[ #UFC276 | Tomorrow | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/f2ejdXg5Hv ] pic.twitter.com/QuuyH0NCPG
— UFC (@ufc) July 1, 2022
Andrews: Lawler has not looked good in six fights and his only wins in that stretch was Nick Diaz and Donald Cerrone. Barberena has a chance to take out the old blood and I think he does it.
Andrews Prediction: Bryan Barberena via TKO
#4 SEAN STRICKLAND (25-3-0) VS. ALEX PEREIRA (5-1-0)
Will this one go all 3 rounds? 👀
Sean Strickland & Alex Pereira are set to find out!
[ #UFC276 | Tomorrow | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/f2ejdXg5Hv ] pic.twitter.com/tiSyhslcfS
— UFC (@ufc) July 1, 2022
Andrews: Alex Pereira many be Adesanya’s boogeyman, but he has his hands full with Strickland. On paper, Strickland wins but I have a feeling Pereira has something special for him.
Andrews Prediction: Alex Pereira via TKO
(C) ALEXANDER VOLKANOVSKI (24-1-0) VS. #1 MAX HOLLOWAY (23-6-0)
Can’t wait for another 25 minutes between the world’s best featherweights 🍿@AlexVolkanovski vs @BlessedMMA
[ #UFC276 | Tomorrow | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/f2ejdXg5Hv ] pic.twitter.com/uV9LAMvrIh
— UFC (@ufc) July 1, 2022
Andrews: We’ve seen this twice before and Alex comes into this one more confident and prepared to end this once and for all.
Andrews Prediction: Alexander Volkanovski via UD
MAIN EVENT
(C) ISRAEL ADESANYA (22-1-0) VS. #2 JARED CANNONIER (15-5-0)
Straight electricity ⚡️@StyleBender vs @KillaGorillaMMA
[ #UFC276 | Tomorrow | Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/f2ejdXg5Hv ] pic.twitter.com/Hv26CURhEW
— UFC (@ufc) July 1, 2022
Andrews: I can see Israel winning a decision or Jared ending the fight with a power shot. Israel’s chin may get put to the test and if it holds up, he wins.
Andrews Prediction: Israel Adesanya via UD
Andrews:
Enjoy the fights.
