After kicking off the month of June with a star-studded PPV card, the Octagon returns to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada for a fourteen-bout Fight Night card.

In the main event, top five Middleweights Marvin Vettori and Jared Cannonier square off, while Arman Tsarukyan and Joaquim Silva duke it out in our Lightweight co-main.

Also on the main card, prospects Christian Leroy Duncan and Lucas Almeida look to continue their winning ways, while Nikolas Motta and Manuel Torres are set to go in an all-action Lightweight affair.

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Marvin Vettori (19-5-1) vs. Jared Cannonier (16-6) (MW)

Now 2-1 since his decision loss to Israel Adesanya, Vettori was last seen winning a contentious decision against Roman Dolidze. “The Italian Dream” has a high-level grappling attack with excellent pressure and top control, though he has spent his last few camps in Thailand working on his striking. Former Heavyweight Jared Cannonier picked up a quick series of knockouts in the Middleweight division, last seen claiming a split decision victory over Sean Strickland. I expect a fun stylistic matchup in this one with Vettori looking to ground the fight and Cannonier attempting to keep it on the feet. The x-factor for me is Vettori’s durability, as he has no problem wading through bombs to land takedowns or his own power shots. I expect Vettori to capture a decision victory with his improved Thai boxing and consistent control time, though Cannonier has the toughness to force the bout all twenty-five minutes.

My Pick: Marvin Vettori via Decision

Arman Tsarukyan (19-3) vs. Joaquim Silva (12-3) (LW)

Respect to “Netto” for stepping up here to face the man no one in the division wants a fight with. Tsarukyan is a technical nightmare with elite Muay Thai and expert use of kicks, along with strong wrestling and scrambling ability, demonstrated in his Octagon debut opposite Islam Makhachev. The only area I see Silva having an advantage in is pure jiu-jitsu, which Tsarukyan’s wrestling and iron-clad submission defense will mitigate. I see Tsarukyan picking Silva apart on the feet and mixing in takedowns before scoring a knockout.

My Pick: Arman Tsarukyan via Knockout

Christian Leroy Duncan (8-0) vs. Armen Petrosyan (7-2) (MW)

This is fantastic matchmaking between two prospects with excellent striking and highlight-reel finishes. Duncan came into the UFC as Cage Warriors, capturing a quick win in his debut after Dusko Todorovic suffered an injury. Petrosyan’s high-level kickboxing has been on display in technical performances over Gregory Rodrigues and AJ Dobson while displaying his electrifying knockout power on the Contender Series to earn a contract. I give Petrosyan a slight edge on the feet, though CLD’s range management and frame should keep him out of danger. I expect Duncan to dominate on the mat, however, as Petrosyan’s poor takedown defense will allow many opportunities for Duncan to sink a choke in.

My Pick: Christian Leroy Duncan via Submission

Pat Sabatini (17-4) vs. Lucas Almeida (14-1) (FTW)

This is a fantastic stylistic clash in the Featherweight division. Sabatini’s high-level grappling has been displayed in dominant victories over Jamall Emmers and Tucker Lutz, while his striking is powerful, though his defense and head movement need improvement. Lucas Almeida impressed in his last outing against Steven Peterson, securing a knockout while displaying his high-level Muay Thai and improving takedown defense. I see Almeida denying Sabatini’s takedown entries and piecing him up on the feet for the finish.

My Pick: Lucas Almeida via Knockout

Nikolas Motta (13-4) vs. Manuel Torres (13-2) (FTW)

I think we’re in store for a knockout here, no matter who wins. After suffering a knockout loss to Jim Miller in his UFC debut, Motta rebounded with a knockout of his own over Cameron VanCamp. Motta has an aggressive kickboxing style with. a good volume, certainly not afraid to sling it out in the pocket, though his durability is a concern, suffering knockouts in three of his four losses. Torres secured his UFC spot with a first-round knockout on the Contender Series and followed it up with another in his debut. He also fights like a wild man in the cage, quickly pressing the action with pressure and a crazy high volume. Both fighters have concerns with their striking defense and I would be pretty surprised to see this hit the mat, though Torres is more likely to find a finish should it go there. I see these fighters trading hands in the pocket until one of them drops and I’ll side with the better gas tank and technique of Motta, especially at the inflated odds (this is a coin-flip fight in my eyes).

My Pick: Nikolas Motta via Kncokout

Muslim Salikhov (19-3) vs. Nicolas Dalby (21-4-1) (WW)

After a knockout loss to Li Jingliang interrupted his five-fight win streak, Muslim Salikhov rebounded with a wheel kick knockout of Andre Fialho in his last performance. “The King of Kung Fu” has a diverse striking attack highlighted by his powerful and high amplitude kicks and boasting solid takedown defense, though his cardio has been a concern at times. Dalby strikes with a karate style, pushing the pace on his opponents with a high volume and quick movement at range. He also mixes in takedowns but does not pursue them as often as I’d like. I see Salikhov getting ahead early and doing enough damage to warrant the judges’ nod, despite a strong close from Dalby as Salikhov’s volume wanes.

My Pick: Muslim Salikhov via Decision

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Stay tuned to our home page Saturday for the main card results!