UFC 275 Sleeper Fights

Manel Kape vs. Rogerio Bontorin

The fourth-to-last fight is often set up to be a “breather” or “bathroom break” for the fans as they prepare for the final featured bouts or five-round title fights to close out the show. In the case of this Saturday’s pay-per-view, this fight will be the exact opposite. The men’s flyweight contest will be can’t-miss action.

After a slow start since joining the UFC, former Rizin champion Manel Kape (17-6-0 2-2-0 UFC) is now coming off two back-to-back first-round KO victories and looking to keep his streak going as he takes on Rogerio Bontorin. The Brazilian Rogerio Bontorin 16-4-0 1 NC 3-3-0 1 NC UFC), on the other hand, has been in a bit of a slump as he is 0-3-1 in his last four bouts, with his sole win in that time retroactively declared a No Contest due to a drug test failure. In what could easily be one of his final UFC fights, the eighth-ranked Bontorin needs to make a statement victory to keep his spot in the division and his livelihood intact.

As mentioned before, do not blink during this affair as both fighters have absurd finish rates: 87.5% for Bontorin and 94% for Kape. The Brazilian will look to get this fight on the ground and secure a signature submission as 11 of his 14 finishes are via this method. Kape, however, will do his best to keep this fight standing and use his high pace of striking (4.69 significant strikes landed per minute) to tire out his opponent and finish this fight with a knockout victory. With a lot to prove for both men, this one may end in a hurry.

Brendan Allen vs. Jacob Malkoun

The feature prelim bout of the evening is the fight that is supposed to set the tone for the rest of the night, and this middleweight affair is a great way to do so as Brendan Allen (18-5-0 7-2-0 UFC) takes on Jacob Malkoun (6-1-0 2-1-0 UFC). With twenty-three pro fights under his belt already at the young age of 26, Allen has plenty of room for growth in his MMA career. Sporting wins over names like Kevin Holland, Kyle Daukaus, and Punahele Soriano, Allen has shown he can get the best of other young rising prospects and looks to keep that going against the Australian Malkoun.

As the main training partner of former UFC Middleweight champion and number one contender Robert Whittaker, Malkoun is getting reps with the best talent his country has to offer. Also a 26-year-old, Malkoun has much less experience compared to his opponent, with only seven total professional bouts. Expect this bout to become grapple heavy, as Malkoun averages more than six takedown attempts per fight, and Brendan Allen can lean on his ground game as well.

Going up against an opponent who will have a two-inch reach and five-inch height advantage, the Aussie will try to get Allen against the cage to secure some inside positions via the clinch ties and throws. Do not think Allen is going to accept these positions, as he has ten victories via submission and will look to out-scramble his opponent to lock another one up. This should be a very fast-paced bout that is sure to get the crowd ready for the main card.

Andre Fialho vs. Jake Matthews

Back again on another pay-per-view in a little over a month’s time, Andre Fialho is sticking by his goal of breaking the record for most fights in a calendar year. With back-to-back stunning first-round knockouts, Fialho will look to keep the good times rolling as he takes on a UFC mainstay, the Australian Jake Matthews. Do not expect this to be an “exhibition” bout for the Portuguese fighter, Matthews is no joke and will bring the fight to Fialho with his mixture of striking and takedowns.

With the official odds having Fialho as only a -150 favorite and Matthews as a +125 underdog, this will be a very even matchup. Matthews has fought some top names in the light and welterweight divisions, a fighter like Fiahlo won’t psych out the Australian. With over a 16-month layoff, it will be interesting to see how the “Celtic Kid” begins the fight against someone who has fought three times in 2022. While hidden pretty deep on the preliminary cards, this will be sure to bring the action and excitement to all that tune in.

These fights are certainly going to be fireworks, and give fight fans all the more reason to watch the rest of the card. Don’t miss any of the three bouts mentioned, because they will be electric, to say the least.

Featured Image Credits to Embed from Getty Images