Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber are both still quite young, not yet reaching their 30th birthdays. Yet, their main event clash this Saturday feels like a pivotal moment for both fighters.
Neither is likely to immediately leap to the forefront of the flyweight title picture with a victory at UFC Vegas 107, a possibility further complicated for Barber by her failure to make weight on Friday. Conversely, a loss shouldn`t mean the end of the road for either woman, especially given their history of overcoming previous setbacks.
Erin Blanchfield vs. Maycee Barber Prediction
Blanchfield faced her first significant challenge in the UFC when she was outpointed by Manon Fiorot, a result that looks better in retrospect as Fiorot recently went the distance in a competitive fight with flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko. Long considered a top prospect, Blanchfield successfully bounced back by securing a determined victory against former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas, returning her to the win column.
Barber once aimed to be the youngest champion in UFC history, but that goal was dashed early with consecutive losses to veteran Roxanne Modafferi and, perhaps ironically, future champion Alexa Grasso. However, Barber has since turned her career around, achieving six straight wins, though some were closely contested. Had she not missed weight, Barber would likely be on the cusp of the title shot she has long sought.
Fortunately for fans, aside from title aspirations, there`s a notable rivalry brewing between Blanchfield and Barber, suggesting they will need little extra motivation to engage fiercely once the fight begins.
From a skill perspective, Erin Blanchfield is remarkably difficult to overcome. While her striking is still developing, I believe she holds an advantage over Maycee Barber in nearly every other aspect of the fight.
Barber`s main strength, arguably, is her willingness to just *fight* intensely on her best nights. It`s not always technically perfect or consistently effective, but Barber can land significant strikes when she lets loose and takes risks, which might be her best strategy here. I tend to categorize combat athletes as either `martial artists` or `fighters` mentally, and I comfortably place Barber in the latter group. She enters the cage with the intent to inflict damage.
Unfortunately for Barber, the same description could apply to Blanchfield. Despite her outwardly calm demeanor, Blanchfield has shown glimpses of a fierce competitive streak. Crucially, she possesses more avenues to control the fight, regardless of Barber`s approach. She`s capable of trading punches if Barber is overly aggressive, and she can also effectively muscle Barber to the ground to secure rounds on the scorecards.
I predict Blanchfield will win a competitive decision.
Pick: Blanchfield
Mateusz Gamrot vs. Ludovit Klein Prediction
Mateusz Gamrot looks to remain active against Ludovit Klein, who is currently riding a seven-fight unbeaten streak (6-0-1). While Gamrot has been pursuing higher-ranked opponents, he faces the dangerous Klein here. A win adds significant credibility for Gamrot, but he arguably has more to lose than gain in this matchup.
Positively for Gamrot, he isn`t facing a physically imposing lightweight like Dan Hooker or Jalin Turner, whose significant reach advantages have troubled him previously. Klein is actually slightly shorter than Gamrot, allowing “Gamer” to be more assertive in pressing forward without constant worry of being abruptly dropped by a long-range strike.
However, Gamrot must still be cautious of Klein`s powerful kicks and effective counter-wrestling. Throughout his rise, Klein has proven to be a well-rounded fighter capable of adapting quickly when tested by opponents like Gamrot. Expect a cautious start to this fight as both men feel each other out.
I do not believe Klein can successfully defend against Gamrot`s grappling and ground-and-pound attack for the entire three rounds. Gamrot should start securing takedowns in the second round and apply relentless pressure to neutralize Klein`s offensive threats. He might need to survive a knockout scare or two, but Gamrot is likely to emerge victorious on the judges` scorecards.
Pick: Gamrot
Billy Ray Goff vs. Ramiz Brahimaj Prediction
Billy Ray Goff is known for being willing to stand and trade punches with anyone. The same cannot necessarily be said for Ramiz Brahimaj.
In his recent bout against Mickey Gall, Brahimaj displayed surprising power on the feet, landing a heavy shot that resulted in the first knockout win of his career. He appeared comfortable striking, but if Brahimaj aims to pull off an upset this Saturday, returning to his grappling foundation would likely be the wiser strategy.
Goff will make it difficult for Brahimaj to execute his plan. He excels at swarming opponents and mixing attacks effectively between the head and body, which makes setting up takedowns challenging for Brahimaj. Brahimaj will need to take some calculated risks to draw Goff into exchanges that open opportunities for grappling.
Another potential scenario involves Brahimaj getting hurt while striking and then being forced to defend from his back as Goff attempts to finish the fight. Regardless of how it unfolds initially, I have a feeling that Brahimaj`s grappling skills will ultimately decide the outcome, potentially securing a submission victory over Goff.
Pick: Brahimaj
Dustin Jacoby vs. Bruno Lopes Prediction
The light heavyweight division may be somewhat thin, but one constant is Dustin Jacoby entering the octagon and delivering high-level kickboxing performances.
Bruno Lopes also brings his own flair to the cage and appears to be an exciting addition to the weight class. However, I favor Jacoby`s disciplined, technical striking over Lopes` more freeform approach. Lopes` unpredictable movement should nonetheless bring out Jacoby`s best, promising some entertaining striking exchanges between these specialists.
I trust Lopes not to deviate significantly from his striking game if the fight is going his way, although it`s possible he might attempt a few takedowns to disrupt Jacoby`s rhythm. Jacoby, being a seasoned fighter, will likely defend these attempts effectively to keep the fight standing, which is where he thrives.
Lopes shows potential, but Jacoby`s superior octagon experience should give him the edge. I anticipate Jacoby finding a finish in the second round.
Pick: Jacoby
Ketlen Vieira vs. Macy Chiasson Prediction
This particular matchup is somewhat hard to predict.
Ketlen Vieira has consistently performed well against the top contenders in the bantamweight division, win or lose. However, concerns linger regarding her weight management and how she handles taller opponents. It`s important to note that while Vieira requested the fight be changed to a featherweight catchweight, Macy Chiasson will likely be the physically larger fighter on the night.
Chiasson has faced bad luck with fight cancellations, whether due to her own issues or her opponents`. But when she does compete, she frequently impresses. The winner of The Ultimate Fighter 28 brings a unique physical presence to her fights and is likely to pressure Vieira from the outset. Vieira is exceptionally durable and an outstanding grappler, making it interesting to see how actively she pursues taking the fight to the ground.
This fight could unfold in one of two ways: either Vieira grinds out a decision victory over a frustrated Chiasson, or Chiasson breaks through Vieira`s defense and secures a finish, adding the veteran to her list of conquered opponents. I lean towards the latter outcome.
Pick: Chiasson
Zachary Reese vs. Dusko Todorovic Prediction
Our designated “please someone get a quick finish” fight for the main card opener features middleweights Zachary Reese and Dusko Todorovic, both known for aggressive styles and defensive vulnerabilities. Expect defense to be secondary as both men will be looking to secure a win and potentially a performance bonus.
While that dynamic might theoretically lead to a more cautious fight, I`m optimistic these two will revert to their natural instincts and start exchanging heavy shots. If that happens, I favor Reese to come out on top. Todorovic has more fights under his belt and has been finished multiple times in his career, making it difficult to confidently pick him at this stage.
I predict Reese wins by first-round knockout.
Pick: Reese
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