It’s not often that you get two world-class MMA promotions coming together to put on an event like this one.
For the first time, we’ve got a champion vs champion event. This is not something that has happened before on this scale.
Riyadh Season, lots of big fights!
Mention the Saudis, Anthony vs Francis coming up.
Tyson Fury vs Usyk in Saudi, counter-programming Volk vs Topuria UFC 298
UFC also going to Riyadh, sometime in the summer.
Heavyweight
Renan Ferreira 12-3-0 (brazil)
Talented big dude who has had a bit of trouble with the rules resulting in 3 No Contests. One against Werdum. Much bigger than Bader.
vs.
Ryan Bader 31-7-0 (US)
Ex-UFC, TUF Alum. Still got the skills but should focus on light heavyweight instead. He might get it done using his excellent wrestling.
Middleweight
Impa Kasanganay 15-3-0 (US)
Viral KO victim turned millionaire. Highly touted prospect at Welterweight. Famous for being on the receiving end of a spinning head kick KO. Went to PFL and turned his career around, moving up a weight class and winning the PFL middleweight tournament and 1 million dollars.
vs.
Johnny Eblen 14-0-0 (US)
Unbeaten Bellator champ. Aggressive wrestling trains at ATT. Crushed Fabian Edwards his last fight. Ko’d the guy. Beaten Mousasi in a dominating decision. Very good fighter. Could be a potential fight of the card.
Featherweight
Jesus Pinedo 23-6-1 (Peru)
First MMA champ from Peru. Tough fight for anyone in the division. Has fought for the UFC, losing to John Makdessi and being cut. Beat the brakes off Brendan Loughnane, Bubba Jenkins and Gabriel Alves Braga.
vs.
Patrício Pitbull 35-7-0 (Brazil)
Bellator champ with dynamite in his fists. Was looked at as the guy from outside the UFC who was at that level. Has since been beaten a couple of times but is still dangerous and is a wily veteran.
Welterweight
Ray Cooper III (USA)
Dude is from Dagestan. Enough said. Good wrestling and is on a very nice 6 fight win streak. Has been stopped by Ray Cooper before but has elite wrestling and a relatively polished stand-up game.
vs.
Jason Jackson 17-4-0 (US by way of Jamaica)
Another TUF Alum was famously choked out by a drunk Michael Graves and then went on TV and argued with Dom Cruz about it. Still a very good fighter out of KillCliff FC. Another potential banger.
Heavyweight
Bruno Cappelozza 15-6-0 (Brazil)
Bruno is just a big guy with no real threat. Lost his last fight. Looks to be a gimme fight for Nemkov.
vs.
Vadim Nemkov 17-2-0 (Russia)
Excellent Bellator LHW champ. Very well rounded with good striking and excellent wrestling. Beat Corey Anderson, Phil Davis, Ryan Bader. Lost to Jiri in Rizin though.
Light Heavyweight
Thiago Santos 22-11-0 (Brazil)
Battle of the ex-UFC killers.
vs.
Yoel Romero 15-7-0 (Cuba)
Lightweight
Clay Collard 24-11-0 (US)
UFC vet beat guys like Anthony Pettis in the PFL. lost to studs like Holloway. Has a ton of pro boxing experience. Might be the upset pick.
vs.
A.J. McKee 21-1-0 (US)
The second generation of fighters. Dad was Antonio McKee. Very good wrestler and ground technician. Fights a little wild but that is what makes him a fan favourite. He’s definitely one to watch.
