UFC 262 Prelims Breakdown

Notable storylines within the UFC 262 prelims include six Dana White’s Contender Series alums, the return of Antonina Shevchenko (Valentina’s sister), several potential performance bonuses, and more! The UFC 262 early prelims will begin at 6:30 pm ET on ESPN+. After the first three fights, the UFC 262 prelims will continue on ESPN at 8:30 pm ET. Buckle up, because it is time to preview the six unique matchups on the UFC 262 prelims.

UFC 262 Prelims Preview

Sean Soriano (14-6) vs Christos Giagos (18-8)

Sean Soriano first signed with the UFC back in 2014. His expectations were high as he entered the UFC with an 8-0 record. Unfortunately for Soriano, the step-up in the competition was too much for him to handle. Soriano lost all three of his UFC fights before being cut in 2015. Since leaving the UFC, Soriano has put together a 6-3 record as he continues to improve his skills across several promotions. Soriano now finds himself on a three-fight win streak with the UFC deciding to give him another chance on the UFC 262 prelims. After finally completing the long road back to the UFC, Soriano will have the opportunity to show MMA fans why he deserves to be fighting the best of the best.

Christos Giagos comes into this fight looking to bounce Soriano out of the UFC once again. Similar to Soriano, Giagos was also signed to the UFC in 2014 before being cut in 2015. Before being resigned in 2018, Giagos pulled together a 4-2 record outside of the UFC. Since being resigned to the UFC, Giagos has shown flashes of potential that have led to his 3-2 run. With Giagos’s two recent UFC losses coming from Drakkar Klose and Charles Oliveira, it is safe to say his strength of schedule has not been easy. Giagos will have another opportunity to spark a winning streak against Soriano on Saturday night.

Both fighters have experienced being cut by the UFC and will do whatever it takes to avoid it happening again. With the main event being for the lightweight belt, extra eyes will be set on this fight to see if either has the potential to reach the top of the division. Soriano vs Giagos has the potential to start the UFC 262 prelims with fireworks.

Kevin Aguilar (17-4) vs Tucker Lutz (11-1)

Kevin Aguilar’s UFC career has simply taken a turn for the worst. After starting his pro career 14-1, the former LFA featherweight champion was given his shot on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2018. Aguilar managed to get the split decision win and earn his UFC contract. He came into the UFC and made a statement by winning his first two fights. Unfortunately, Aguilar began to struggle when he began to fight the next level of talent. Aguilar suddenly found himself on a three-fight losing streak that put his UFC job at risk. The 32-year old now looks to get back on track against the Baltimore native Tucker Lutz.

Tucker Lutz has continued to give every reason to believe he can climb the rankings in the UFC. Lutz started his journey to being a UFC fighter when turned pro back in 2015. He ultimately lost his first pro fight but managed to make that his only loss thus far. After winning nine straight fights, Lutz was invited to Dana White’s Contender Series last year.

Lutz won the fight by unanimous decision, but White decided he was not going to award him his UFC contract. Instead of signing him, White offered Lutz to come back on DWCS only two months later. Lutz made the most of this opportunity as he beat an extremely tough opponent in Sherrard Blackledge and earned his UFC contract. He now looks to continue his eleven-fight win streak with a win against Aguilar in his UFC debut.

Aguilar vs Lutz will be a war between two fighters who never give up. Aguilar needs this win more than ever as Lutz looks to ends his UFC dreams. Two fighters will enter the octagon and only one will come out victorious.

Gina Mazany (7-4) vs Priscila Cachoeira (9-3)

We were first introduced to Gina Mazany on The Ultimate Fighter 18 back in 2013. Unfortunately, Mazany lost to Juliana Pena and did not get signed by the UFC. Mazany went back to the drawing board and managed to get signed by the UFC after a first-round KO at Alaska FC 124. She went 1-3 in her first four fights in the UFC before getting cut in 2019.

Mazany continued to improve and found herself resigned by the UFC after a first-round KO at KOTC: Golden Fights. Since rejoining the UFC last year, Mazany has won one fight and lost one fight. Mazany now looks to ride the momentum from her November win over Rachel Ostovich into the UFC 262 prelims.

Priscila Cachoeira has unfortunately been one of the bigger letdowns in the Women’s Flyweight division. After starting out her pro-MMA career 8-0, Cachoeira found herself making her UFC debut against the current champion Valentina Shevchenko. Cachoeira was unable to bounce back after that loss with two more UFC losses following.

She was in danger of getting cut by the UFC before taking on Shana Dobson at UFC on ESPN+ 26. Cachoeira was able to get back on track with a 40-second uppercut KO against Dobson. The 32-year old Brazilian now finds herself with the opportunity to prove the haters wrong by winning her second UFC fight in a row.

Mazany vs Cachoeira will feature two of the scrappiest fighters at 125 pounds. Despite struggling at points in their career, both fighters have continued to improve and find ways back in the win column. On Saturday night at UFC 262, one of these Flyweights will have the chance to take one step closer to be ranked.

Andrea Lee (11-5) vs Antonina Shevchenko (9-2)

Andrea Lee was once one of the most highly anticipated prospects in the UFC. Lee was signed to the UFC in 2018 after winning the LFA Women’s Flyweight Championship. Since joining the UFC, it can be said that Lee’s UFC tenure has been quite the rollercoaster. She came into the UFC and proved her worth by winning her first three fights.

After her unbelievable start in the UFC, it was time for Lee to fight the best of the UFC’s Flyweight division. Unfortunately, Lee struggled tremendously as she lost all three of her next fights by decision. Lee now finds herself with a 3-3 UFC record going into a tough fight against the Flyweight champion’s sister Antonina Shevchenko.

Despite being an extremely talented fighter, Antonina Shevchenko has been forced to live in her sister’s shadow. Despite her sister being the Women’s Flyweight champion, Shevchenko comes into the UFC 262 prelims with the hopes of taking one step closer to fulfilling her own destiny of being a UFC champion. Shevchenko was signed by the UFC in 2018 after winning on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2018.

Since joining the UFC, Shevchenko has gone 3-2 with both losses coming against highly-ranked opponents. The last time we saw Shevchenko, she was beating Ariane Lipski by brutal ground and pound. Shevchenko now looks to get the win on Saturday to continue her journey to the top of the Women’s Flyweight division.

Lee vs Shevchenko is a bout between two ranked fighters looking to take the next step towards a title shot. Both fighters have received their fair share of hype, but only one will benefit off the others misfortunate on Saturday.

Jamie Pickett (11-5) vs Jordan Wright (11-1)

Jamie Pickett has had quite the journey leading up to his fight on the UFC 262 prelims. He started his pro-MMA career with a 7-2 record that included 6 KO/TKOs. His impressive start led to his invite to fight on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2017. Unfortunately, Pickett’s momentum was ruined with a loss by submission in the first round. Pickett decided to keep pushing as he won two more fights outside of the UFC by KO/TKO. He was invited back on DWCS in 2019; where he lost once again.

At this point some fighters would probably give up on their dreams, but not Jamie Pickett. He decided to never give up and won two more fights outside of the UFC before being invited back on the DWCS for the third time. Pickett made the most of this opportunity as he finally won and earned his UFC contract. Since joining the UFC, Pickett lost his debut against Tafon Nchukwi. Pickett now looks to get his first UFC win against “The Beverly Hills Ninja”.

Jordan Wright has the skills needed to back up such a cool nickname. Since turning pro in 2014, Wright has managed to get ten first-round finishes out of his eleven wins. After putting together a 10-0 record filled with finishes, Wright was signed by the UFC in the middle of last year. Wright was able to add to his collection of first-round finishes when he got the win against Ike Villanueva in his UFC debut. Unfortunately, Wright lost his first MMA fight in his last outing vs. Joaquin Buckley. Wright now finds himself with the opportunity to get back on track against the always dangerous Jamie Pickett.

Pickett vs Wright has a performance bonus written all over it. This bout will feature two fighters that know how to get quick finishes. Make sure to grab your snacks and take your bathroom break early, because this is simply a fight you do not want to miss.

Mike Grundy (12-2) vs Lando Vannata (11-5-2)

Mike Grundy may just be one of the most durable fighters at 145 pounds. Since turning pro back in 2014, Grundy managed to pull together nine finishes out of his twelve wins. After starting off his career 11-1, Grundy found himself signed to UFC in 2019. Grundy has since split his two UFC fights with his one loss coming against Movsar Evloev.

Despite losing his nine-fight win streak last time out, Grundy has the ability to find himself right back in the win column at the UFC 262 prelims. Grundy has the potential to do big things in the UFC, but will first have to take on the crafty veteran Lando Vannata.

Despite having a record that does not tell the full story, Lando Vannata has produced some memorable wars throughout his UFC career. Since joining the UFC in 2016, Vannata has put together a UFC record of 3-5-2. It should be noted that Vannata has only been finished one time by submission in his pro-MMA career.

He continues to improve and offers his opponents a fighting style that is hard to replicate in training camp. Vannata comes into this fight after losing a tough decision to Bobby Green ten months ago. He now looks to bounce back against the gritty Mike Grundy.

Grundy vs Vannata is an unpredictable fight that may lead to an all-out war. Both fighters coming into this fight look to get back on track from their last loss. When at their best, either of these fighters can get the win and a potential performance bonus.

Ronaldo Souza (26-9) vs Andre Muniz (20-4)

Ronaldo Souza has accomplished more in his MMA career than most could imagine. Since turning pro in 2003, Souza has managed to beat some of the best fighters in MMA history. Souza was able to become champion in Strikeforce and DREAM before signing with the UFC in 2013. Despite never being a UFC champion, Souza’s resume is a who’s who at 185 pounds.

Unfortunately, Souza’s war miles have begun to creep up on him as he lost his last three UFC fights. Souza now finds himself in a potential situation where he needs a win to stay in the UFC. They say you can’t teach old dogs new tricks, but this 41-year Brazilian looks to do just that on Saturday night at the UFC 262 prelims.

On the other side of the octagon, Andre Muniz looks to add on to Souza’s unfortunate run with a dominant win. After starting his career 16-4, Muniz was invited to Dana White’s Contender Series in 2018. Despite getting the win, Dana White decided that he was not going to sign Muniz to the UFC.

Muniz chose to heal up and improve his skills for a year before returning to DWCS one year later. He made the most of this opportunity with a first-round KO that earned him his UFC contract. Since joining the UFC, Muniz has won both of his fights over a two-year span. Muniz now looks to make it three straight UFC wins on his journey to being ranked.

Souza vs Muniz has dark horse potential for a potential performance bonus. The longtime veteran looks to keep his career alive by beating the surging Muniz. Anything can happen, but you can be ensured that violence will be present. Prepare yourselves because the UFC 262 prelims have the potential to be the perfect build-up for this stacked pay-per-view

Drop your thoughts and predictions for the UFC 262 prelims below in the comment section!

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