UFC Vegas 52
Event Preview

You know what – this is a good card. I know people have been crapping on it. But this card has some solid fighters, and fun fights. With an added convenience – all the best fights are on the main card. You’d think that’d be a common occurrence. But it isn’t. The UFC will often put fun prospects and big names on the prelims on purpose for various reasons, but there often seems to be no rhyme or reason for their card construction. It is frustrating.

But this is a rare event where all the best fights are packaged nice and clean on the main card! Love it. Let’s dive in.

Landon Vannata vs Charles Jourdain
Featherweight – 145 pounds

The 145 pound division is an absolute shark tank and every guy needs to scratch and claw their way to make any progress. The perfect example of how competitive this division is – neither of these guys have won or lost consecutive fights in the UFC since 2016. And they both have draws during that span! Crazy.

I expect this to be an extremely competitive fight. Both showing a well rounded game with fun striking on display. Really curious to see who can establish their first win streak in years.

Sumudaerji vs Manel Kape
Flyweight – 125 pounds

Nothing better than a fun flyweight scrap.

Manel Kape was one of the better flyweights outside the UFC, spending years in RIZIN over in Japan. Fans were excited when he made the switch to the UFC, but he dropped his first two fights. But Pantoja and Nicolau are both top 10 flyweights, and Kape represented well in both fights. He has since rattled off two straight 1st round KO’s and is living up to the hype hardcores had for him when he first joined the UFC.

Manel Kape and his fan friendly fight style will have a willing dance partner in the Chinese striker, Sumudaerji. Sumudaerji has a fun and quick “in-and-out” style of striking. And he is a giant at 125.

Should be fun.

Maycee Barber vs Montana De La Rosa
Flyweight – 125 pounds

Mayce Barber started her career with a lot of hype. She had aspirations of becoming the youngest champion in UFC history, and after she started her UFC career with 3 straight finishes it looked like she might have a chance! But unfortunately she ran into a force known as Roxanne Modafferi and she suffered her first career loss. She has since traded a win and a loss, but that win was in her last fight against Miranda Maverick and it was one of the more controversial decisions in recent memory. And that is saying something..

Maycee will have a tough style matchup in the UFC vet Montana De La Rosa. De La Rosa debuted in the UFC when she was a part of the TUF season that introduced the division. She’s amassed a respectable record of 5-2-1 in the UFC and she has been fighting the best in her division for the majority of her pro career.

Will be interesting to see how the once bright prospect responds to her recent struggles against a tougher and experienced fighter.

Clay Guida vs Claudio Puelles
Lightweight – 155 pounds

I really like this fight. It is good match making. And an interesting stylistic clash.

Clay Guida is a man, he’s 40 – and he is one of the last fighters from our childhood! And he’s gotta be one of the last guys who fought on Spike, right? It feels like Clay has been around forever, he almost has 60 fights!!

Clay Guida was always a respectable top tier fighter, but a couple years ago it kind of felt like Guida was over the hill and his best years were behind him. But he had a resurgence in 2021! He went 2-1, but that 1 loss was via split to the Olympian Mark Madsen! And he won via RNC in his last time out against Leonardo Santos, another prospect..

Claudio Puelles was 7 years old when Clay was losing his pro debut. Puelles will turn 26 two days before his fight with Guida and will be making his 6th UFC appearance, winning his last 4.

Claudio is a strong athletic fighter with a dangerous submission game, but not great wrestling. Whereas Clay is known for his wrestling, but not so good defending submissions. And on the feet, Clay will be looking to land volume the whole fight. And Claudio will be looking for power strikes.

Lots to like in this fight. I can’t wait to see how it plays out. Big test for the prospect, Claudio Puelles.

Amanda Lemos vs Jessica Andrade
Strawweight – 115 pounds

An important fight at 115 between two of the most feared fighters in all of women’s MMA.

Jessica Andrade has been a staple of the very top of both the 115 and 125 pound divisions and is one of the best female fighters in the world. She is ultra aggressive, and powerful. With a really well rounded skill set. She is a major threat to get that Strawweight title back.

Amanda Lemos is 11-1-1 and undefeated at 115 with 3 of her 5 UFC wins coming via finish. She also scored a knockdown in each of her 2 decision wins in the UFC. She carries some serious power for the weight class.

This is a fun stylistic fight. And an important fight for the strawweight division.

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