The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is making its eagerly awaited return with an inaugural event of the year 2025. This weekend sees the rematch between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas, with the live weigh-in stream and results stirring up excitement among fans.
One of the fighters catching the spotlight, Lopes, encountered a major upset during his initial appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series back in 2023, yet he proved his mettle by defending his Light Heavyweight title in the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA). His victory over Mikheil Sazhiniani in late summer propelled him into a contract with the UFC.
Gadzhiyasulov is seen as a promising contender owing to his unique fighting style and flawless record. Although he qualifies on the strength of his triumphant bout over Brendson Ribeiro (who bested Lopes during the DWCS), there still lurks a possibility that ‘Brunão’ could well deliver a surprise victory in his initial UFC performance.
Although I’d previously tipped Bashi for the win, considering Rodriguez’s track records in the UFC, it cannot be denied that he could be the top underdog investment for this card. The insanely unexpected victories have become Rodriguez’s specialty!
Just reflecting on Rodriguez’s theatrical coup de grace! He dished out first-time professional defeats to Raul Rosas Jr, Cameron Saaiman, and Isaac Dulgarian, all part of an impressive four-bout victory streak. His last fight, although a surrender, does not diminish his formidable potency.
For Rodriguez, Bashi poses an overwhelming challenge, yet Rodriguez undeniably has no fear when it comes to undefeated opponents. His fearless approach sends a clear message to other fighters who might underestimate him.
I share the collective hope that this encounter turns out to be among the most riveting preliminary bouts of the night. Particularly when we witness these two lightweights lock horns on the ground, displaying their superior grappling prowess for the ardent fans.
Concerning the Moisés vs. Ogden clash, most would cautiously favor Moisés due to his well-established credentials. Yet, Ogden is a formidable contender with a well-rounded skill set, who could easily disrupt Moisés’ trajectory in the Octagon.
The equation is rather straightforward in the match between Medic and Soriano. Medic has never experienced a drawn-out professional fight, while Soriano carries a serious reputation as a knockout artist. This intriguing matchup promises high drama.
While Soriano has fought full-length matches during his UFC tenure, the unique clash of styles between Medic and Soriano leads me to anticipate a dynamic match that could end inside the first two rounds of this welterweight showdown.
In an effort to make a comeback in the strawweight division, Ribas is slated to face Dern, following her March encounter with two-time champion Rose Namajunas which resulted in a decision loss. Ribas will target a 2-0 lead over Dern, who had tasted MMA defeat for the first time at Ribas’ hands back in 2019.
Dern’s ability to catch her opponent off-guard with a sudden submission move cannot be underestimated, especially in a five-round match setup. Yet, the expectation stands that Ribas, at the age of 31, should be able to circumvent significant threats, aiming for success via a toughly contested decision.
While this might seem far-fetched, fans vividly recall Aliev’s notorious UFC debut against Rafael Alves after his two-year hiatus from the cage. The memory of a point deducted for a supposed bite on Alves in their 2023 match is still fresh for many.
Aliev, known as ‘Tajik Eagle’, is reportedly keen to obliterate the memory of his controversies from 2023. And why not take a gamble on a significant foul this time around, provided you have +2000 odds when they likely engage in an intense grappling match?
This comprehensive anticipation of the upcoming UFC event is sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats. The blend of returning stars, debutants, and thrilling potential outcomes is what makes this sporting spectacle truly unique and enthralling.