Can you believe it's been a month since we last tucked ourselves into the cozy confines of the UFC APEX? We can, and we're grateful, but the gap is still notable considering how often visits to Las Vegas have been without fans.
Yes, the main event at UFC Las Vegas 94 on Saturday will be a strawweight challenger showdown between Amanda Lemos and Virna Jandiroba. Not only is this a high-level bout in one of the highest weight classes in MMA, but it also has a strong chance at a title shot, as champion Zhang Weili has defeated most of her opponents, except for the injury-plagued Tatiana Suarez.
Unfortunately for Lemos, she is included in that group, as she was just one fight removed from her failed attempt to take Zhang's belt. Currently ranked No. 5 in the 115-pound division on the MMA Fighting Global Rankings and No. 16 on the pound-for-pound list, Lemos has the makings of a top contender, but is probably only fighting to defend that status.
Jandiroba, on the other hand, is a new challenger with plenty of experience, and the grappling specialist has had a successful career and could end it all with a UFC title shot.
The main card will feature Korean featherweights Choi Seung-woo and Choi Du-ho (no relation) taking on Steve Garcia and Bill Algeo, respectively. Ultimate Fighter 31 Lightweight champion Kurt Hollobaugh will take on Keynan Kruszewski, Cody Darden and Bruno Silva will battle it out in a fierce flyweight contest, and featherweights Jong Yong Lee and Haider Amir will kick off the ESPN portion of the show.
what: UFC Vegas 94
where: UFC APEX in Las Vegas
when: on Saturday, July 20. The five-fight preliminary card will begin at 5:30 pm ET on ESPN2 and ESPN+, followed by the six-fight main card at 8 pm ET on ESPN and ESPN+.
Amanda Lemos vs. Virna Jandiroba
Is Virna Jandiroba destined to be a loser?
There's no doubt that Jandiroba is one of the best strawweights of her generation, but until recently she has always been one step behind the division's best. Amanda Lemos has already proven she belongs in the upper echelon with a string of standout finishes.
Jandiroba is undefeated in 23 career fights and that likely won't change after tonight's bout, but Lemos will do everything in her power to become the first person to defeat her. Few fighters in the 115-pound division have more striking power than Lemos, and while Jandiroba has faced real strikers in the Octagon, none have the knockout power of Lemos.
If this goes to the ground, Jandiroba will lose, but Lemos is also dangerous on the ground. Jandiroba has plenty of ways to tie her up, so if Jandiroba can keep the fight in her own league, this main event could change in an instant.
I don't think Jandiroba would land a submission early on or outwork Lemos over a grueling 25 minutes, as Lemos stifled Jandiroba's elite jiu-jitsu for three rounds before taking her down with strikes in the fourth.
choose: Lemos
Steve Garcia vs. Choi Seung-woo
Most of Steve Garcia's opponents try to take him down right away, and with good reason. What “The Mean Machine” lacks in technique, he more than makes up for with a rock-hard chin and some truly terrifying finishing instincts. He's not here for the scorecards, guys.
Choi has solid fundamentals and is a surefire finisher based on his performances so far, but he needs to show he can step it up another gear when he gets the upper hand. As it stands, he's content to rely on his accuracy and athleticism to get him to the finish line, but that hasn't always worked out, especially against fighters who are willing to take his attacks and return them with interest.
Another problem for Chay is that he continues to face featherweight fighters who are difficult to beat, most notably Garcia. Chay can score all the points he wants, but it won't be an issue if Garcia catches him late in the fight.
Garcia usually wins the second round and I think that will be the same against Choi. Garcia will win by knockout.
choose: Garcia
Kurt Hollobaugh vs. Kanan Kruszewski
Kurt Hollobaugh can win on the stand or on the ground, but will likely lean more to the stand in this matchup, and if the 14-year veteran tries to challenge Keynan Kruszewski's grappling, it could be a recipe for disaster.
The best thing for Hollobaugh is to keep this fight on the floor. Kruszewski is strong enough that he might even consider trading blows with Hollobaugh. Perhaps if Kruszewski senses Hollobaugh's pace and pressure, he'll take the fight to the ground to slow it down. From there, Hollobaugh will have to defend his submission (he's only tapped out once in his career) and try to get back to fighting on the floor.
Hollobaugh's lackluster wrestling defense cost him his last bout and could be the same here if Kruszewski is able to close the distance with ease. Hollobaugh will look to use his tenacious striking skills early and often to make the Brazilian newcomer as difficult as possible.
In a back-and-forth battle, Hollobaugh did enough to earn a decision victory.
choose: Holobo
Cody Dirden vs. Bruno Silva
Bruno “The Bulldog” Silva would be a legitimate dark horse candidate for the UFC flyweight title if it weren’t for the fact that he has only fought three times in the past four years, and he has a ton of work to do if he wants to win it.
Cody Dirden is no weakling by any means, but there are plenty of reasons to favor Silva in this bout: he's the better all-around fighter, he has stronger striking power, and, most importantly, he has good submission skills. This is one of Dirden's major weaknesses, with all three of his losses inside the Octagon coming by tap-out.
The path to victory for the larger Darden would be to get forward and bully Silva, but that's easier said than done considering charging into a bulldog is about as safe as charging into an actual bulldog. Darden might hasten his own defeat if he thinks he can just shove Silva down.
Durden's wrestling and toughness will always give him a chance, but I expect Silva to stab Durden in the stands and secure the win for the club and the subs.
choose: Silver
Duho Choi vs. Bill Algeo
Ah, yes, winner of the “Kyle Nelson Didn't Beat It” sweepstakes. Catchy title.
One of these fighters will be able to cleanse the Canadian of his stink. I'm going to go with Duho Choi. “The Korean Superboy” has looked pretty good since returning from a three-plus year hiatus, and now that he's back in form, I expect him to repeat his win against Bill Algeo.
“Senor Perfecto” is a talented featherweight fighter and I've often praised him as the most dangerous opponent in the division, but after 10 UFC fights in four years, it still feels like Algeo is struggling to find his footing in the promotion and has been inconsistent for a fighter as talented as him.
If not for an unfortunate point deduction for a headbutt, Choi would have come away with the victory in February, but he looks sharper this time around, evoking the baby-faced brawler who earned a place in the UFC Hall of Fame alongside Cub Swanson.
Together with Choi, I will aim for our first victory since 2016! That's amazing.
choose: Choi
Lee Jung-Yeon vs. Haider Amir
While I was disappointed to lose the co-main event between Brad Tavares and Jun Young Park (my condolences to the Iron Turtle Army), I'm pleased to see Jong Yong Lee and Haider Amir promoted to the main card. The featherweight division is packed with talent, and these up-and-comers deserve to rub shoulders with the more experienced contenders.
Both fighters are incredibly strong and durable, so we're likely to see a three-round battle unless either can land a decisive strike early on. The matchmakers have lined this up well, showcasing two up-and-coming fighters who may one day have jersey numbers next to their names.
Lee is the trickier fighter at distance, so I expect him to close the distance early and attack Amir as he advances, but he won't be able to keep Amir at bay for long. By the middle of the first round, the two will be trading heavy punches in the center of the Octagon. I expect Amir to have the stronger punches and Lee to have a slight speed advantage. It's hard to say who will win.
My decision leans towards Amir, but it's just a gut feeling.
choose: Amil
Qualifiers
Brian Kelleher defeats Cody Gibson
Miranda Maverick def. Dione Barbosa
Trey Ogden def. Loic Radjabov
Luana Carolina def. Lucy Pudilova
Mohammed Usman defeats Thomas Petersen
