UFC 267 Prelims Preview

Tagir Ullanbekov vs. Allan Nascimento

Flyweights are set to kick off the UFC 267 card, and what a fight in store for combat fans. Ullanbekov is a UFC newcomer with only one fight in the promotion, but he showed 15 minutes of dominance in a decision victory. This time around, he looks to return to his finishing ways by getting a submission finish, something he is all too familiar with. Before entering the UFC, Ullanbekov was known for his submission victories, but it shouldn’t take anything away from the power in his punches. Ullanbekov has three wins by knockout and six by submission.

This matchup is made ten times more interesting by his opponent, Allan Nascimento. Another specialist, with 13 of his 18 victories coming by way of submission. There is a chance this bout sees the final bell, but both men are explosive when it comes to snatching arms, legs, and necks. Nascimento has beautiful work in standup fundamentals, but they are nothing compared to his skills on the ground. We could be in for an all-out war on the feet.

Magomed Mustafaev vs. Damir Ismagulov

Mustafaev is an all-rounder. He has a win over Rafael Fiziev and has brought the fight to guys such as Brad Riddell and Kevin Lee. He has explosive power and extraordinary scrambling abilities; however, his opponent is as formidable as ever and puts on a relentless pace and pressure throughout 15 minutes. Ismagulov will go to war with Mustafaev and will look for his first finish inside the octagon.

Yaozong Hu vs. Andre Petroski

This fight is very much an everything-to-lose situation for both men, Hu is coming off a 3-year hiatus after back-to-back losses, and Petroski is coming off of a ground and pound KO finish. A loss could see a departure from the promotion, whereas a win could propel them to new heights. Hu is a knockout artist looking to show up on Saturday night in a collision against Petroski, a suffocating wrestler with submissions and powerful strikes from the top.

Makwan Amirkhani vs. Lerone Murphy

UFC veteran looks to put himself back in the win column after back-to-back losses but doing so will be no easy feat as he will stand across from England’s own, Lerone Murphy. “The Miracle” will look to avoid the submission game of Amirkhani and break the fast pace with an interruption of power in his punches. Amirkhani doesn’t want to stand with Murphy, so he will look to keep moving and working for a takedown to attempt a submission.

Shamil Gamzatov vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk

An undefeated Gamzatov has a tough test in Oleksiejczuk. Although usually the preference, 15 minutes may not be the way to win this time around for Gamzatov. The “Lord” thrives against fighters who look to play it safe. His overwhelming power can shut out the judges in the blink of an eye. This time around, Gamzatov should look to avoid too many standing exchanges and work for a submission.

Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos vs. Benoit Saint-Denise

UFC veteran Zaleski Dos Santos looks to return not only to winning ways but to explosive finishing ways with a win against the undefeated stud, Saint-Denise. A battle-tested Brazilian looks to take an “0” from the “God Of War,” but it will not be easy.

The French submission specialist will look to counter one of Zaleski Dos Santos’ crazy, unorthodox techniques by taking it to the ground and attempting his trademark arm-triangle. “Capoeira” will approach the bout with a newfound calmness to pick his shots and conserve his energy.

Albert Duraev vs Roman Kopylov

Contender series contract winner Duraev is coming for a paycheck and he will be in search of that against UFC newcomer Kopylov. The all-rounder will put on intense pressure to avoid the unorthodox striking of Kopylov and get a submission victory as he has done time after time before.

Ricardo Ramos vs. Zubaiara Tukhugov

Calculated striking and grappling technicians meet at UFC 267, and the promotional veteran in Tukhugov is approaching this fight with a higher intention to finish. He will be met with a counter striker who isn’t afraid to take the fight to the canvas. A submission or knockout could happen in a split second, so don’t blink when this one starts.

Amanda Ribas vs. Virma Jandiroba

Straw-weight contenders collide in the prelims featured bout. Amanda Ribas is coming off of a devastating knockout loss to Marina Rodriguez. This time around, she brings her all-rounded style to a Jiu-Jitsu ace in Jandiroba. Both women are only a couple of wins away from a title shot, so a big win here would be a success. The striking advantage is on Ribas’ side, but her love for grappling could get her in trouble against Jandiroba.

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