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Feb 18, 2023
When Jéssica Andrade misplaced to Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 261 in a failed try to dethrone her because the UFC Ladies’s Flyweight Champion, it was seen because the solidification of Shevhenko’s dominance. Misplaced within the narrative was the truth that Andrade was a former Strawweight Champion who was making an attempt to make her mark in a brand new weight class. Andrade has now gained momentum as a Flyweight and has strung collectively an spectacular three-fight win streak. Her upcoming opponent for UFC Vegas 69, Erin Blanchfield, is barely 23-years-old and undefeated in her 4 fights on the UFC’s roster. There’s so much to unpack right here; with out additional ado, let’s get into it!
Andrade vs. Blanchfield
Jéssica Andrade is a Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu who had a short reign because the UFC Ladies’s Strawweight Champion in 2019. In the meantime, Erin Blanchfield gained consecutive fights which have been dubbed Battle of The Night time at Invicta FC 39 and 41 earlier than becoming a member of The UFC’s roster. At 31-years-old, Andrade is eight years older than her upcoming opponent, nevertheless, Blanchfield shouldn’t be intimidated by expertise. She has been an expert since she was 19-years outdated and is used to dueling in opposition to older combatants.
Andrade sees herself because the professional challenger to the reigning champion, Valentina Shevchenko. One other victory may earn her a second shot on the title. Blanchfield believes she is the very best fighter within the division; she simply doesn’t have the signature win to earn herself a title shot. A win in opposition to Andrade could be the sort of resume constructing victory that Blanchfield is on the lookout for. Be sure to tune in to witness Andrade and Blanchfield lay all of it on the road at UFC Vegas 69!
Wright vs. Pauga
Gentle Heavyweight prospect Jordan Wright has not gained a struggle since Could of 2021. He’s within the midst of a three-fight dropping streak throughout which he has been knocked out or submitted in every bout. Zac Pauga, Wright’s subsequent opponent, has only one UFC look on his resume, a second spherical knockout loss to Mohammed Usman in August of final yr. These are two males who every want a win so as to keep related. In Wright’s case, the standing of his UFC contract could very effectively rely on the results of his subsequent struggle. These two males are on the skin wanting in on the group’s divisional rankings. Don’t miss the possibility to see them try to reverse their fortunes once they meet in the midst of the octagon!
Parisian vs. Pogues
Josh Parisian was as soon as the CLIP MMA heavyweight champion. His reign was brief lived; he instantly vacated his title in pursuit of bigger venues and greener pastures. Later, he grew to become a graduate of Dana White’s Contender Collection the place had a formidable displaying and emerged victorious in opposition to Chad Johnson. Since then, he has been a mediocre heavyweight, profitable two UFC fights and dropping two others. At 33-years-old, time is winding down for him to show the expertise that many thought would make him an elite fighter within the division. If Josh Parisian is to reside as much as the hype that surrounded him just a few years in the past, the time to take action is now.
Main as much as this second, Jamal Pogues has had three main alternatives to catapult his profession to the subsequent stage. The primary got here in 2018 when he participated in Bellator 201. Sadly, Pogues didn’t get the end result he wished that evening, as an alternative dropping to Jordan Younger as a consequence of an armbar submission. The subsequent two alternatives got here through Dana White’s Contender Collection, throughout which Pogues emerged victorious in August of 2019 and once more in August of 2022. UFC Vegas 69 will mark the primary official UFC struggle of Pogues’ profession. Defeating Josh Parisian could be an enormous step in the best course for him. Each of those males have so much to lose of their face to face battle; make certain to tune in and witness the entire motion!
Knight vs. Prachnio
34-year-old William Knight’s potential to achieve and shed pounds is astounding. At 5’10” tall, he has the flexibility to hold the muscle mass of a person 5 or 6 inches taller than he’s. He can comfortably stand up to 250 kilos with out dropping his mobility or turning into overweight. That form of muscle gaining potential is because of one factor: genetics. There isn’t a quantity of weight coaching that may educate a physique that isn’t able to doing that to do it. Along with his physique sort, it might not shock me in any respect if there have been some elite American Soccer gamers and physique builders someplace in his household tree. Nonetheless, Knight has chosen to drop all the way in which right down to 205 kilos and struggle as a Gentle Heavyweight for his subsequent bout. It’s a exceptional physique transformation that few individuals can do with out posing a severe well being threat to themselves.
34-year-old Marcin Prachnio is a Black belt in Karate and a Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Prachnio has fought in a number of promotions all through his profession, and has additionally competed at Heavyweight and Middleweight. He has agreed to satisfy Knight at Gentle Heavyweight for his or her upcoming bout at UFC Vegas 69. These two males can’t appear to determine which weight class they’re greatest fitted to; maybe that’s why neither man has turn out to be elite in any explicit division. Nonetheless, they are going to placed on a spirited efficiency for the group at The Apex Middle on Saturday evening. You gained’t wish to miss it!
Miller vs. Hernandez
Though Jim Miller by no means acquired a title shot throughout his tenure on the UFC’s roster, he’s undoubtedly headed to the Corridor of Fame as soon as his profession is over. That’s as a result of he holds the report for probably the most bouts within the group’s historical past, and probably the most wins within the group’s historical past as effectively. These are two important information; conserving him out of the Corridor of Fame could be a legal act. At 39-years-old, retirement is quick approaching however he’s decided to exit the game on his personal phrases.
Alexander Hernandez is a 30-year-old Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Though he has misplaced three out of his final 4 fights, he’s nonetheless seen as a risk contained in the octagon. He’s a talented technician who hasn’t managed to match his expertise and experience with the outcomes he has been searching for. Beating a widely known fighter like Jim Miller would do wonders for Hernandez’s confidence and assist level his profession again in the best course. You gained’t wish to miss Miller and Hernandez slugging it out within the heart of the octagon at UFC Vegas 69!
How one can watch
UFC Vegas 69 will be considered on BT Sport in The UK and on ESPN Plus in The US. As at all times, we’ll have all the newest updates in regards to the outcomes of the fights, in addition to in depth evaluation, out there proper right here at World in Sport!
