The UFC finally returns to action in front of a live crowd with this Saturday’s UFC Atlantic City event, as Erin Blanchfield and Manon Fiorot lock horns in the main event of the evening.
This fight felt like it had a lot more significance before the promotion announced that current flyweight champion, Alexa Grasso, will take on Valentina Shevchenko in the next season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Before that intrepid announcement, this fight was being considered a true number one contender fight. Because Grasso and Shevchenko likely won’t be fighting till the end of summertime, the winner of this Saturday’s fight will likely want another fight in the meantime.
Alas, we nailed last weekend’s predictions correctly picking every main event winner, so let’s see if we can do it again.
Erin Blanchfield vs Manon Fiorot
This is a great fight to main event the UFC’s return to Atlantic City, with it being a very even matchup. The French striker, Manon Fiorot, is most notoriously known for her point-striking type style.
She is unlikely to take unnecessary risks in the fight and will look to control the fight from range, where she will have a 3-inch height advantage, but not the reach advantage.
The ‘Cold Blooded’ Erin Blanchfield showed a different side to her game in her last outing against Taila Santos. Known mostly for her dominant wrestling and grappling style, she was able to showcase a solid striking base in that fight seven months ago.
I believe Erin Blanchfield is a future champion and she has so much time left in her career to realize that success.
Although the 24-year-old is the slight favorite in this matchup, I think Fiorot could end up upsetting the masses. The French female boasts a takedown percentage of 91%, with Jennifer Maia the only one to have successfully scored a takedown on the 34-year-old.
I slightly favor Manon Fiorot in this matchup, despite it being a relative coin toss.
Prediction: Manon Fiorot decision
Vicente Luque vs Joaquin Buckley
Stepping in to fight Vicente Luque on short notice is Joaquin Buckley, as ‘New Mansa’ looks to score the biggest win of his UFC tenure so far.
The 29-year-old is looking to extend his win streak to three in a row, something he’s only done once before throughout his 11 UFC fights.
Luque on the other side is looking to defend his number 11 rank in the welterweight division, returning for his first fight since August last year. The Brazilian was scheduled to take on Ian Garry at UFC 296, but the Irishman withdrew from the bout.
Although Buckley is the more athletic fighter of the two, I believe this is too big a step up for him and Luque will retain his spot in the rankings.
Luque is the more calculated striker of the two and has very underrated power in his hands. I don’t see this one lasting for long, whoever is to pick up the win.
Prediction: Vicente Luque knockout
Bruno Silva vs Chris Weidman
‘The All American’ Chris Weidman returns to the Octagon this weekend, taking on Brazilian striker, Bruno Silva.
Weidman will be looking to maintain his undefeated record when fighting in Atlantic City, having fought there four times before for Ring of Combat, winning on all four occasions. The former middleweight champion’s last fight was his first fight back since suffering a devastating career-ending leg break.
Unfortunately in that fight, he wasn’t able to pick up the win against Brad Tavares, suffering back-to-back defeats.
Bruno Silva is also coming in off back-to-back defeats as he looks to halt his own skid. Despite that, his last two fights have come against strong middleweight contenders Brendan Allen and Shara Magomedov, with this fight against the 39-year-old Weidman being a step back down in caliber.
Although Weidman has said this likely won’t be his retirement fight, unfortunately, I think a loss may change his mind.
Prediction: Bruno Silva knockout
Nursultan Ruziboev vs Sedriques Dumas
Uzbek fighter Nursultan Ruziboev, is looking to make it back-to-back wins to begin his UFC tenure, after picking up a win against Bruno Ferreira in his debut back in July last year.
Sedriques Dumas is looking to score his third win in a row with previous wins coming against Cody Brundage and Abu Azaitar.
Dumas is an awkward style fighter and despite not being extremely high level, his awkwardness can prove to be difficult.
This fight isn’t one that I can say I’m too excited for, but I do give a slight edge to the 30-year-old Uzbek.
Prediction: Nursultan Ruziboev decision
Bill Algeo vs Kyle Nelson
This scheduled featherweight bout has the potential to get extremely wild.
Bill Algeo picked up an impressive win last time out against Anthony Hernandez, with Kyle Nelson picking up a win against Fernando Padilla.
The Canadian, Nelson, looks to catch his opponents with a barrage of punches in bunches and has pretty solid power. Algeo though is likely going to be the more patient of the two.
‘Senor Perfecto’ also has an advantage on the ground so if it goes there, I can see him picking up a submission. With Algeo being the more patient striker of the two but also holding an advantage on the mat, I think he picks up a win here, extending his win streak to three.
Prediction: Bill Algeo submission
Chidi Njokuani vs Rhys McKee
Rhys McKee‘s second UFC stint didn’t get off to the best of starts at UFC Paris last September, as he was beaten by Ange Loosa.
The Northern Irishman first competed in the UFC during the COVID-19 pandemic, with his UFC debut coming against none other than Khamzat Chimaev. After suffering a loss to both Chimaev and Alex Morono, the 28-year-old was cut from the promotion.
After claiming gold in Cage Warriors, the UFC decided to give him another shot.
Chidi Njokuani is also in a bad spot, coming in off the back of three consecutive losses. A win here for both fighters is imperative, as a loss for Chidi ‘Bang’ could spell the end of his UFC tenure.
I favor Rhys McKee in this fight and I believe his pressure and doggedness will take him over the hump in this fight.
Prediction: Rhys McKee decision