Gilbert Burns is clutching on to that torch.
It’s been 4 years since Burns fought for and didn’t seize the UFC welterweight title, and although the 38-year-old veteran has bounced again from that disappointment, time has caught up with him and he finds himself on the primary three-fight skid of his profession. That hunch threatens to proceed Saturday when Burns meets the undefeated Michael Morales within the UFC Vegas 106 foremost occasion.
This can be a large alternative for Morales. At 17-0 (5-0 within the UFC), Morales appears to be like all of the world like a future champion and he’s made a behavior of beating extra skilled fighters along with his previous three wins coming towards Neil Magny, Jake Matthews, and Max Griffin. A prime 10 rating awaits him if he beats Burns as anticipated, although “Durinho” shouldn’t be counted out so simply.
In different foremost card motion, Paul Craig places his job on the road towards Rodolfo Bellato, Sodiq Yusuff and Mairon Santos struggle in a light-weight bout, Dustin Stoltzfus and Nursulton Ruziboev chase a spotlight, and streaking featherweights Julian Erosa and Melquizael Costa open the present.
What: UFC Vegas 106
The place: UFC APEX in Las Vegas
When: Saturday, Might 17. The seven-fight preliminary card begins at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+, adopted by a five-fight foremost card at 7 p.m. ET additionally on ESPN+.
Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales
Let’s be clear about one factor: Gilbert Burns can win this struggle. He simply wants rather a lot to go his means if he’s going handy Michael Morales his first defeat.
Grappling-wise, we all know Burns can deal with enterprise. If he’s in a position to get this struggle down early, he can sap quite a lot of Morales’ energy and mitigate the dimensions distinction. Take into accout, it is a five-round struggle, so the extra rounds Burns can financial institution early the higher. Morales’ gasoline tank is untested and dragging him into deep waters must be key for Burns’ sport plan.
Burns nonetheless has loads of pop in his palms, too, so he gained’t be out of solutions ought to this struggle break down right into a brawl. However he’s higher off not going the placing route.
Morales is so basically strong and has such clever placing, with beautiful footwork and well-timed feints used to arrange his flashier strategies. His athleticism additionally permits him to cowl up errors shortly, and that features Burns doubtlessly placing him on his again. Simply whenever you assume Morales is on the defensive, he explodes out of hazard and turns issues round. And as soon as he begins rolling downhill, there’s no stopping him.
Burns has proven he can nonetheless compete with the perfect, however he’s undeniably misplaced a step. He’s 13 years older than Morales and what’s extra important is the distinction in in-cage mileage, to not point out the hours within the health club. If this have been Burns from two or three years in the past, that is nearer to a toss-up. Because it stands, Morales is closely favored for a cause.
Morales by determination.
Decide: Morales
Paul Craig vs. Rodolfo Bellato
It’s enjoyable to root for Rodolfo Bellato. The brutish Brazilian’s first two UFC fights have been pure chaos and he definitely appears to be like at occasions to have prime 15 expertise, although it’s laborious to completely get behind that when he takes a lot harm in his fights. Maybe he’ll be extra methodical towards Paul Craig.
Craig has no illusions concerning the stakes of this struggle. Win and you’ll count on to see him within the octagon once more. Lose and his UFC run is donezo.
He did no favors for himself with a listless efficiency towards Bo Nickal, a consequence that appears even worse given Nickal’s personal struggles. Craig has additionally been a sluggish starter for a lot of his profession and the very last thing he ought to do is enable Bellato to set the tempo.
Bellato goes to come back out with critical fireplace as common and I doubt Craig will writer a comeback, which was his specialty. I foresee a giant knockout for “Trator.”
Decide: Bellato
Sodiq Yusuff vs. Mairon Santos
Mairon Santos undoubtedly isn’t taking the straightforward path after profitable The Final Fighter 32. “The Legend” (that’s proper, you alter your title again, Ilia Topuria!) makes a fast turnaround after preventing in March and he does so up a division up towards Sodiq Yusuff, an opponent with much more UFC expertise. Perhaps that is some type of self-imposed penance after he bought away with a choice towards Francis Marshall, however he must be cautious or his appreciable promise could possibly be stifled.
Yusuff’s leap as much as 155 kilos is seemingly a everlasting transfer and that makes me fear for Santos much more, as a result of that implies Yusuff has correctly bulked up for this matchup. He’s all the time had good placing whilst knockouts have eluded him, and eradicating a tough weight lower from the equation may open up his sport. With additional vitality, Yusuff can let his palms go early and with reckless abandonment (h/t Dominick Cruz).
I’m in all probability being too protected with my expectations for Santos, however I’ve seen Yusuff give too many strong fighters suits to choose towards him right here. That’s proper, I’m not placing my religion in a current TUF champions.
Ashamed.
Decide: Yusuff
Dustin Stoltzfus vs. Nursulton Ruziboev
This one goes to be a trainwreck.
You don’t name Dustin Stoltzfus except you need a struggle to finish inside the space and the may be stated of Nursulton Ruziboev. The pair have their fair proportion of selections on their résumés, however tonight you’ll be able to count on them to satisfy within the center and throw palms.
That’s the perfect state of affairs for Stoltzfus, who scored a shocking knockout of Marc-Andre Barriault in November when the Canadian determined to slug it out with Stoltzfus towards the fence. Moments later, Stoltzfus was celebrating a first-round knockout.
He’ll have Ruziboev coming straight at him so the alternatives shall be there for Stoltzfus to steal the struggle, however Ruziboev’s accuracy and ferocity ought to win out. He’ll sting Stoltzfus on the ft after which put him away with ground-and-pound or a submission on the mat.
Decide: Ruziboev
Julian Erosa vs. Melquizael Costa
Wonderful matchmaking right here, pitting two veteran featherweights with under-the-radar win streaks towards each other.
Julian Erosa is the extra acquainted face to most followers, having been on his grind for 15 years and having earned a popularity for being a troublesome out. Whether or not on the ft or the bottom, the rangy and versatile Erosa can provide any opponent a headache.
Melquizel Costa has been doing his greatest to make up for misplaced time since making his UFC debut in 2023. He’s presently driving a three-fight win streak and might make it 4 wins in 11 months if he will get previous Erosa.
It’s not often fairly with Costa, although his capability to battle again from adversity is considered one of his greatest attributes. The identical can’t be stated of Erosa, who tends to fall flat within the first when he’s off his sport. However, Erosa additionally has loads of first-round finishes to his title.
I’m leaning in the direction of Erosa right here, as I feel this one goes previous the primary 5 minutes and I like his high-level expertise to hold him to a victory. “Juicy J” takes it on factors after three rounds of back-and-forth motion.
Decide: Erosa
Preliminaries
Matheus Camilo def. Gabe Inexperienced
Thiago Moises def. Jared Gordon
Yadier del Valle def. Connor Matthews
Tainara Lisboa def. Luana Santos
Denise Gomes def. Elise Reed
Hyun Sung Park def. Carlos Hernandez
Tecia Pennington def. Luana Pinheiro
