Mac Mally’s UFC Fight Night Preview: Cannonier’s Comeback and The Strawweight Scuffle
Mac Mally is back at Bodog Sportsbook to give his take on the upcoming UFC Fight Night. Do you agree with his three selections?
Welcome fight fans, to another evening where the laws of physics are dialed into, and human drama unfolds in the most octagonal of ways. This Saturday, August 24, 2024, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, we’re in for a treat with UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Borralho. Now I must admit, as avid of a fan I am, I have not paid enough attention to the TUF Season this year and will omit those two finales from my list. Let’s dig in with my big three fights.
Angela “Overkill” Hill vs. Tabatha “Baby Shark” Ricci
In the strawweight division, where dynamite comes in small packages, Angela Hill, one of the UFC‘s most frequent flyers, faces Tabatha Ricci, who’s as tenacious as a shark in the deep end of the pool. Hill, with her Muay Thai background, is looking to string together another set of wins. On the other side, Ricci, with her grappling, aims to drag Hill into deep waters where she can showcase her ground game.
This fight’s got everything: Hill’s striking versus Ricci’s grappling. If Hill can keep it standing, we might see some fireworks and combos that make the ESPN twitter feed. If Ricci gets her to the ground, we’re in for a grappling match that could make chess look like checkers. Fans are buzzing, predicting everything from a knockout by Hill to a submission by Ricci. Either way, this fight will show just where Ricci fits in the division amongst some of the most tested alumni.
Neil Magny vs. Michael Morales
Then there’s Neil Magny, the perennial welterweight gatekeeper, whose record is as long as a CVS receipt, facing the young gun again, Michael Morales. Magny’s experience could fill a library, but Morales is writing his own book, and he’s looking to add a big chapter with Magny’s name on it. This fight’s a classic tale of experience versus youthful exuberance. If Morales wants to pass the Magny test, he’ll need to mix his striking with some of that grappling finesse, or Magny might just school him like it’s Saturday detention. This kid is good. There are no blemishes on his record and he has 7 first round finishes. If he can style on Magny, the division might have a certified new problem on their hands.
Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho
Now, to our main event, where Jared Cannonier, a man with more power in his fists than a crystal powered locomotive, takes on Caio Borralho, who’s as natural in the octagon as a fish in water. Cannonier, coming off a controversial loss, is like that seasoned video game boss you just can’t seem to beat. He’s looking to prove that at 40, he’s not just old, he’s vintage.
Borralho, on the other hand, is the new breed, undefeated in the UFC armed with youth, momentum, and a knack for making opponents rethink their career choices. If Borralho can take this fight to the ground, keep active and not let Cannonier load up shots, we might see him continue his ascent. But if Cannonier keeps it standing, well, let’s just say Borralho might find out why they call him “The Killa Gorilla”.
The Picks:
- Cannonier vs. Borralho: This card is vets vs newcomers, in the main event, I’m taking the newcomer. Borralho by decision.
- Hill vs. Ricci: It’s striker vs. grappler with a side of ‘who wants it more?’ Hill’s experience in the octagon could be the key, or Ricci’s ground game might just be the lock. I’ll take Ricci by decision.
- Magny vs. Morales: This may be the final fight of the Magny Gatekeeper era. I think Morales might show how far the division is coming and get Magny out of there in the second round.