UFC Vegas 17 Prelims Preview

Rick Glenn (21-6-1) vs. Carlton Minus (10-2) at 155 pounds

Rick Glenn is a 31-year-old prospect, with some serious experience against top-level competition. Ever heard of Lance Palmer? They battled it out way back in 2014! Dennis Bermudez? Glenn was victorious over him via a split decision. Despite the high-level competition though, Rick Glenn has struggled in the UFC. Currently 3-3 with the promotion, he is 1-2 in his last three fights. Including his most recent bout (2 years ago) against Kevin Aguilar, where he missed weight before losing via decision. Let’s take a look at his opponent!

On the other side of the cage, we’ve got Carlton “Clutch” Minus. This 27-year-old is fighting out of Anchorage, Alaska, and hopes to bounce back from his loss at his UFC debut back in August of this year. While finding major success in Alaska FC with nine victories and no losses, Minus has yet to find a win with a major promotion. In 2018, he fought for the PFL and lost via RNC to Rick Story. Returning to Alaska FC, he beat Schon Ellis by the decision and got that UFC call. This brings us full circle, as we’ve already discussed that loss. In UFC Vegas 17, will Carlton Minus turn his luck around, and get his first win with a major promotion? Or will Rick Glenn return refreshed, after a two-year layoff?

Jimmy Flick (15-5) vs. Cody Durden (11-2-1) at 125 pounds

Next up, on our UFC Vegas 17 prelims, we’ve got an exciting matchup! Jimmy “The Brick” Flick got his big break on Dana White’s Contender Series. Where he finished Nate Smith via arm triangle in the third round! “The Brick” is now on a 3 fight win streak, and looks to impress big time for his UFC debut! On the other side of the octagon, we’ve got Cody Durden. Previously on a 7 fight win streak, we saw that end after his last bout with Chris Guttierrez. The two men fought it out to a draw, and obviously, Durden’s looking to get back to his winning ways in UFC Vegas 17! Sit back, and don’t blink for this one!

Tafon Nchukwi (4-0) vs. Jamie Pickett (11-4) at 185 pounds

Our Prelims continue, with this Middleweight matchup! Tafon “Da Don” Nchukwi is 26 years old, born in Barmenda, Cameroon. Now fighting out of Hyattsville, Maryland, this young prospect is on a 7 fight win streak; counting his 3 amateur bouts as well. While largely untested, “Da Don” has proven before he’s got what it takes to beat a more experienced opponent. On Dana White’s Contender Series, he finished Al Matavao via head kick KO. This was an impressive win, especially since Tafon came into the bout with only two pro fights on his resume. Facing Matavao, who was at that time; a 10 fight veteran.

Jamie ”Nightwolf” Pickett is 32-year-old fighting out of Wilmington, North Carolina. He is a fellow DWCS alum and also won his fight via KO. This time, it was from punches, not the head kick that ”Da Don” landed. It took three attempts on DWCS for ”Nightwolf” to obtain his win though. In 2017, he lost to Charles Byrd via arm-triangle. Pickett would take a few more fights with lesser-known promotions and win both by KO/TKO to earn another shot on Dana’s show. This brings us to his 2018 bout with Punahele Soriano. Sadly, losing again on the show, Pickett would go home defeated via unanimous decision. From there, he went back to the lesser-known promotion; named Next Level Fight Club, and gained a decision win over Jaquis Williams. From there, we come full circle, back to his last fight on DWCS that we mentioned before.

So, to recap, we’ve got two men coming off of knockout victories on DWCS. Exciting prospects! This could be another fight in this UFC Vegas 17 card that ends early!

Drako Rodriguez (7-1) vs. Aiemann Zahabi (7-2) at 135 pounds

UFC Vegas 17 keeps the good fights coming, with this Bantamweight matchup! Drako Rodriguez is another stunning prospect off of DWCS, while Aiemann Zahabi is the younger brother of famous Trisar Gym head coach: Firas Zahabi. For Drako, this will be his UFC debut. Aiemann, on the other hand, is a 3 fight UFC veteran. Coming off of two consecutive losses. In UFC Vegas 17, will Drako make an impressive debut? Or does Zahabi turn the tide?

Deron Winn (6-2) vs. Antonio Arroyo (9-3) at 195 pounds (catch weight)

A professional since 2017, Deron Winn is still extremely young in his career. At 31, he is 1-2 in the UFC, with losses to both Gerald Meerschaert and Darren Elkins. After his most recent bout against Meershacaert, Deron Winn tested positive for amphetamines.

On the other side of the cage, we’ve got another prospect off DWCS. Antonio Arroyo is a versatile striker, coming off a loss to Andre Muniz back in 2019. For Arroyo, he’s had 3 fights fall thru since then, so hopefully, this one in UFC Vegas 17 happens for him!

Karl Roberson (9-3) vs. Dalcha Lungiambula (10-2) at 185 pounds

Next up, we’ve got more middleweight’s taking the stage! Karl Roberson is a young 30-year-old prospect, coming off a loss to Marvin Vettori via submission. Dalcha Lungiambula is a 35-year-old fighter coming out of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is also coming off a loss, this time via a front kick, to Magomed Ankalaev. This UFC Vegas 17, they are both looking to get back on the winning column!

Pannie Kianzad (13-5) vs. Sijara Eubanks (6-5) at 135 pounds

With our first female battle of the night, we see Pannie Kianzad face the always tough Sijara Eubanks. Pannie is coming off of two big wins; against Jessica Rose Clark, and Bethe Correia. The win over Bethe was incredibly impressive, as she displayed quickness and precision on the feet to pick her apart.

On the other side of the cage, we see Sijara Eubanks. 35 years old, and getting her UFC start not from the contender series, but the Ultimate Fighter! She is 4-3 in the UFC and is coming off of a loss to Ketlen Vieira. An L that put Eubanks’ 2 fight win streak to rest. Both are looking to have impressive performances in this UFC Vegas 17 card, a win for them would likely give them better opportunities next year.

Belal Muhammad (17-3) vs. Dhiego Lima (15-7) at 170 pounds

Now, the main event of the UFC Vegas 17 prelims! Or featured bout, I should technically say. We’ve got a matchup that the UFC brass loves to make. A surging up and comer vs. an experienced veteran. On a 3 fight run, Belal ”Remember the Name” Muhammad looks kike a serious contender. 8-3 in the UFC, his 3 losses come from legit killers. We’ve got Alan Jouban, whom Belal lost to via decision in his UFC debut. Vicente Luque, who finished Muhammad by KO, and last but not least; Geoff Neal. The man highlighting this card, with Wonderboy.

On the other side of the octagon, will stand Dhiego Lima. On the UFC roster since 2014, it was a rocky road for Lima until recently. Now coming in on a red hot 3 fight win streak as well, this surely will be a battle to remember!

UFC Vegas 17 are stacked from the bottom. This UFC Vegas 17 prelims sure does build up the hype for the main card!

Featured Image Credits to Embed from Getty Images

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