With a main event we've been anticipating since 2018, UFC 253 finally arrives this weekend and what a card it's shaping up to be. With a number of exciting fights set to take place, headlined by two UFC title fights, we're almost guaranteed to see a pretty incredible night of fights.
A new king will claim his throne in the light heavyweight division, while one 185lb undefeated phenom will catch his first L. This should be good! Here are our predictions for each fight on UFC 253's main card.
Hakeem Dawodu vs Zubaira Tukhugov
Cal: I can honestly see either man coming out on top in this one. Both have looked impressive following their UFC arrivals and the fight will likely be a close one with whoever wins most likely doing so after three really even rounds.
Prediction: Hakeem Dawodu - Decision
Chris: Dawodu's potential is sky-high, but so is Zubaira's. Both men are 29 years old, so have plenty of time left in the sport to make a name for themselves. The pair have been pretty solid since they signed in the UFC, both winning four fights in the promotion. Zubaira put on a fantastic display in February when he KO'd Kevin Aguilar in the first round. Hakeem has also been impressive as of late, going on a four-fight win-streak including names like Kyle Bochniak and Julio Arce. Overall I think this bout will go a decision, although both men have the power to finish the fight if the situation arises.
Prediction: Zubaira Tukhugov - Decision
Ketlen Vieira vs Sijara Eubanks
Cal: Although Sijara Eubanks is enjoying a two fight win streak at the moment, and has looked impressive in both outings, I don't see her having enough to overcome Ketlen Vieira. Vieira looked fantastic through her first four fights in the octagon, before shockingly losing her most recent to Irene Aldana. Ketlen will be eager to quickly bounce back from the set back and I see her doing just that at the expense of Eubanks.
Prediction: Ketlen Vieira - Decision
Chris: Does anyone else really not rate Eubanks highly at all? She has gone 6-4 in her MMA career, failing to ever put together a significant win streak. I just don't see her having the ability to compete with the top-calibre athletes that now run the women's divisions. Vieira, on the other hand, I believe is a fantastic talent. She holds a record of 10-1, and was on a nine fight win-streak before she fell to a KO loss against Irene Aldana. Ketlen already has wins over big names such as Cat Zingano and Sara McCann. I expect this to be an easy win for Vieira.
Prediction: Ketlen Vieira - Second Round - Submission
Kai Kara-France vs Brandon Royval
Cal: I'm looking forward to this one. In a division seriously lacking contenders, the UFC has a couple of potential future title challengers in Kai Kara-France and Brandon Royval, with the two men set to face off this weekend. A decision loss to Brandon Moreno aside, Kara-France has looked impressive during his UFC stint so far. Royval only made his debut in the organisation back in May, but looked fantastic, submitting former title challenger Tim Elliot within two rounds. This will be close, but I think Kara-France will out work Royval on his way to another decision victory.
Prediction: Kai Kara-France - Decision
Chris: What a fight this has the potential to be. Kara-France came into the UFC with a high amount of expectation, and he was living up to his hype until he fell to the impressive Moreno. He has, however, since rebounded and picked up a decision victory over Tyson Nam. He's won four of his last five, and in a flyweight division begging for new title challengers, he will be looking to regain his winning streak. Royval only made his UFC debut in May, where he submitted former flyweight title-challenger Tim Elliot in the second round. With another win here, Brandon could see himself fly up the rankings and put himself in title-contention already.
Prediction: Brandon Royval - Decision
Dominick Reyes vs Jan Blachowicz
Cal: With Jon Jones leaving the light heavyweight division, the UFC is about to crown a brand new king in the 205lb division. Jan Blachowicz has looked fantastic recently and is currently enjoying a three fight win streak, with victories over Luke Rockhold, Jacare Souza and Corey Anderson. The Polish fighter has been overlooked heading into this one, but in my opinion, for good reason. Dominick Reyes has all the tools to really run riot over the light heavyweight division for a number of years now and arguably beat Jon Jones in his last fight. Reyes left that fight without the belt, but I don't expect that to happen this time around.
Prediction: Dominick Reyes - Third Round - TKO
Chris: I feel like people are majorly overlooking Jan in this fight. The Polish fighter has been phenomenal as of late and since 2017 he has only fallen to Thiago Santos, which is nothing be ashamed of. Since that bout he has won three straight, besting the likes of Luke Rockhold and Corey Anderson along the way. Blachowicz has knock-out power in both hands, so this is a dangerous fight for Reyes. Dom has been near enough flawless in his MMA career, and many argue that he won his previous fight against Jon Jones for the title. Reyes does have the skills to beat any man in that division, however i'm going to go with my gut instinct and say Jan get this one done.
Prediction: Jan Blachowicz - Third Round - KO
Israel Adesanya vs Paulo Costa
Cal: This is one I hope I'm wrong about. I like both men and the prospect of seeing two undefeated fighters fight for UFC gold has got me pumped up. This has all the makings to be a bonafide classic and I can't remember the last fight that had me this excited. Costa's relentless pressing should cause Izzy a number of problems, but I expect Adesanya to come out on top here. I'd love to see Costa emerge victoriously and claim his place at the top of the division, but I see the champion avoid the Brazillian's knockout power early on, before outworking and out striking him through the later rounds and eventually having his arm raised after five brutal rounds.
Prediction: Israel Adesanya - Decision
Chris: Even thinking about this fight gives me goosebumps. This is how fighting should be, the two best in the world at their respected weight classes going to war. I could not honestly think of a fight I'm more excited to see at the moment. Both men come into the fight undefeated and have a combined 25 KO/TKO finishes. I see Paulo coming at Izzy fast from the first bell, and if he can avoid the counter-striking of Adesanya he could land some big shots inside. Due to stylistic reasons, I can see the champ having problems dealing with the constant pressure and big shots of Costa. I've got Izzy dropping this one, but it's going to be a close one.
Prediction: Paulo Costa - Fourth Round - KO
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