UFC Vegas 35: Barboza vs. Chikadze Staff Picks

Overtime Heroics Editorial

1471 days ago

The UFC returns to the APEX yet again this weekend, which features two featherweight kickboxers in fine form facing off in the headliner. UFC veteran Edson Barboza will take on rising star Giga Chikadze in the main event of this week’s card. The co-main sees the finale of The Ultimate Fighter Season 29, where Bryan Battle will face off against late replacement Gilbert Urbina, with the infamous TUF six-figure contract at stake.

Over in the bantamweight division, Ricky Turcios takes on Brady Hiestand in the second TUF final. The card also features the return of Kevin Lee, who has been out of action since his loss to now UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira. Lee makes his return to welterweight to take on Daniel Rodriguez, who has been busy during the pandemic, competing six times since February 2020. Below are this week’s Overtime Heroics staff picks.

	Edson Barboza (22-9) vs Giga Chikadze (13-2)	Bryan Battle (6-1) vs Gilbert Urbina (6-2)	Brady Heistand (6-1) vs Ricky Turcios (11-2)	Kevin Lee (18-6) vs Daniel Rodriguez (15-2)	Andre Petroski (5-2) vs Michael Gillmore (6-3)	Gerald Meerschaert (32-14) vs Makhmud Muradov (25-6)
Cian Keating (0-0)	Chikadze	Battle	Turcios	Lee	Petroski	Muradov
Cooper Burke (26-22)	Chikadze	Battle	Turcios	Lee	Petroski	Muradov
Dion Williams (43-34)	Barboza	Battle	Turcios	Lee	Petroski	Muradov
Jake Broderick (44-24)	Chikadze	Urbina	Turcios	Rodriguez	Petroski	Muradov
Lewis Simpson (48-29)	Barboza	Battle	Turcios	Lee	Petroski	Muradov
Makoa Goble (42-35)	Barboza	Urbina	Heistand	Lee	Petroski	Muradov
Mason Shatwell (4-2)	Chikadze	Urbina	Heistand	Lee	Petroski	Meerschaert
Jake Foley (15-19)	Chikadze	Urbina	Turcios	Lee	Petroski	Meerschaert