Goliaths collide at UFC Fight Night, but Curtis Blaydes and Chris Daukaus can’t overshadow plenty of smaller punch-packing fighters on the undercard. The promotion heads to Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on March 26.
Blaydes vs. Daukaus headlines a variety act boasting a likely title eliminator, a clash of modern-day gladiators and a showcase for two veteran welterweights determined to make a splash. Let’s take a look at three fights to keep an eye on this weekend.
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Askar Askarov vs. Kai Kara-France
Whoever emerges from this fight victorious should be your next UFC men’s flyweight contender. Well, assuming the promotion doesn’t book a fifth fight between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno. Askarov is undefeated across 14 professional fights and four UFC appearances. His only setback was a split draw against the former champion Moreno. Askarov should have competed for UFC gold by now, but he has been delayed by the ongoing Figueiredo vs. Moreno saga, currently scheduled for its fourth installment. Kara-France (23-9, 1 NC) has experienced turbulence at flyweight, but consecutive knockout wins over Cody Garbrandt and Rogerio Bontorin have elevated him into a likely title eliminator. This will be an enticing contrast of styles with Askarov’s stifling grappling vs. Kara-France thumping power.
Matt Brown vs. Bryan Barberena
The queazy and squeamish may want to switch the channel when Brown and Barberena brawl. These guys are finishers through and through, claiming a combined 33 of 39 wins via stoppage (25 by knockout or TKO). Brown has often struggled with consistency, but power is the last thing to go and he still packs a wallop. The 41-year-old enters this UFC Fight Night off a knockout win over Dhiego Lima. Barberena has suffered momentum swings of his own, but he always delivers excitement. History is also in the balance. A TKO for Brown will build upon his record-setting 12 knockouts at welterweight. Securing No. 13 will also tie him with heavyweight slugger Derrick Lewis for the overall UFC knockout record. Barberena and Brown each own three Fight of the Night award, perhaps they can work together to claim a fourth.
Neil Magny vs. Max Griffin
Magny always appears to be on the cusp of a breakout. The promotion has primed Magny for a major showcase on several occasions, but losses to the likes of Michael Chiesa, Santiago Ponzinibbio, Rafael dos Anjos and Demian Maia have always demoted him a level. Magny (25-8) enters UFC Fight Night having won four of his last five fights and still has something to offer the welterweight division, as evidenced by his recent win over Geoff Neal. A loss on Saturday night, however, may extinguish the burning embers of hope for a major Magny run. Griffin (18-8) appears to have finally found his footing after an inconsistent start to his UFC career. Griffin enters the Magny fight on the first winning streak of his six-year run with the promotion courtesy of wins over Carlos Condit, Song Kenan and Ramiz Brahimaj. There are still questions about Griffin’s ceiling, but couple his renewed viciousness with a win over Magny, and Griffin becomes a player worth watching at welterweight.
