The UFC is capping off International Fight Week 2023 with a star-studded Pay-Per-View card with fourteen all-action bouts, featuring two belts on the line and a number of prospects ready to make a name for themselves.

In the main event, Alexander Volkanovski returns to Featherweight to defend his crown against Interim champ Yair Rodriguez, while Brandon Moreno looks to cement his Flyweight reign in a rematch (trilogy) with veteran finisher Alexandre Pantoja.

The prelims headliner showcases the final fight in future Hall of Famer Robbie Lawler’s career as he squares off with all-action bruiser (and my personal favorite fighter) Niko Price. Rising prospects like Jack Della Maddalena, Yazmin Juaregui, and Tatsuro Taira also look to record statement victories.

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Robbie Lawler (29-16) vs. Niko Price (15-6) (WW)

I’m honestly not looking forward to seeing either fighter lose here, as Price has been my long-time #1 and there’s not a UFC fan who doesn’t have fond memories of Robbie Lawler. After finally securing a win over Nick Diaz, Lawler suffered a TKO loss to Bryan Barbarena in his last outing, while Price has not been seen since dropping a third-round TKO to Phil Rowe. I expect we see a wild exchange on the feet for however long this lasts, as neither fighter is one to stray away from the pocket. I like the durability and conditioning advantages that Price holds at this point in his career and I expect him to find the KO shot, as much as it pains me to say.

My Pick: Niko Price via Knockout

Jack Della Maddalena (14-2) vs. Josiah Harrell (7-0) (WW)

Jack Della Maddalena has made a name for himself as one of the top UFC prospects right now, piecing together four straight finishes under the UFC banner. His fast boxing and stopping power are always on display, constantly controlling range, while he has also shown some grappling skill in a UD over Ange Loosa and a recent submission over Randy Brown (following a knockdown). I’ve had my eye on Harrell’s last few fights and predicted his bout two weeks ago at LFA (correctly, I might add). He is a well-rounded fighter who constantly mixes in the grappling threat while using his powerful striking and prioritizes position and control. I expect this to be closer than the line indicates and definitely expect a bright future from Harrell, but this is too big a step up too soon and I see JDM using his boxing for another finish over the smaller opponent.

My Pick: Jack Della Maddalena via Knockout

Yazmin Juaregui (10-0) vs. Denise Gomes (7-2) (SW)

Yazmin Juaregui has quickly impressed with her high-level boxing, earning two UFC victories and picking up a second-round TKO over Istela Nunes in her last outing. Denise Gomes earned a contract on the Contender Series and after dropping her debut to Loma Lookboonmee, she rebounded with a TKO victory over Bruna Brasil in her last outing. I think we’re in store for a high-octane striking affair here, as Gomes can mix it up on the mat but doesn’t have the wrestling to get past Juaregui’s ironclad takedown defense. The volume and technique advantages are clearly in Juaregui’s corner, but her durability and defensive concerns give me pause at the inflated price tag, betting-wise. Still, barring a Gomes bomb, I expect Juaregui to rack up significant strikes for the UD nod.

My Pick: Yazmin Juaregui via Decision

Jimmy Crute (12-3-1) vs. Alonzo Menifield (13-3-1) II (LHW)

These Light Heavyweights fought to a draw back in February, seeing Menifield up on the scorecards but suffering a pivotal point deduction in the final round. The stylistic battle was on display from the opening bell with Menifield connecting on nearly every strike thrown, while Crute racked up six takedowns and almost eight minutes of control time and dominated when Menifield gassed in the third. I think we see both fighters look to go back to the well with their respective advantages, but I just can’t trust the striking defense of Crute at this point, who has displayed little to no improvement in his head movement or wild bursts into the pocket that see him eat shots repeatedly. Unless Menifield gasses even faster than last time out, I see him finding the KO shot unless Crute can keep this off the feet entirely.

My Pick: Alonzo Menifield via Knockout

Edgar Chairez (10-4) vs. Tatsuro Taira (13-0) (130-lb. Catchweight)

I’m very excited to see Chairez get the call up to the big show but this is a tough draw on short notice. He is a Combate and Contender Series veteran who impresses with his quick boxing combos and nasty submission skills, never going the distance in victory. Taira is one of the most promising young stars on the roster at just 23 years old, dominating every opponent with his high-level grappling. While his striking is developing, his relentless takedowns and submission transitions make him a nasty threat on the mat. I see this bout playing out primarily on the ground, where I see Chairez defending well until late and succumbing to a late finish.

My Pick: Tatsuro Taira via Submission

Vitor Petrino (8-0) vs. Marcin Prachnio (16-6) (LHW)

We have a fun clash of strikers here and I expect we’re in for a knockout. Petrino showcased his one-shot KO power to earn a contract on the Contender Series before earning the victory with a unanimous decision over Anton Turkalj, showing off his grappling offense and defense. Prachnio is a karate-style striker who utilizes heavy kicks and constant movement to do damage on the feet, though he often leaves his chin exposed. I expect Petrino to dominate this fight in the pocket and score a knockout with the wrestling to dominate on the mat if he needs.

My Pick: Vitor Petrino via Knockout

Cameron Saimann (8-0) vs. Terrence Mitchell (15-2) (BW)

After a contract-winning knockout on the Contender Series, Saimann has moved to 2-0 in the Octagon, not without his fair share of fouls and controversies. The 22-year-old is most impressive with his powerful striking and shot selection, controlling movement, and taking advantage of angles expertly for his age. Terrence Mitchell is getting a call up on short notice and save for a flash KO loss on TUF 24, has spent his career beating up lower-level opposition on the Alaskan regional circuit. His grappling-heavy style will be a solid test for Saimann, whose most glaring concern to this point is his defensive wrestling, but I expect the South African to pick apart Mitchell on the feet for a knockout past the midway point.

My Pick: Cameron Saimann via Knockout

Shannon Ross (13-7) vs. Jesus Aguilar (8-2) (FLW)

I don’t particularly think either of these fighters have a high ceiling in the UFC, but it should make for an entertaining match here at the very least. Shannon Ross got signed off a knockout loss on the Contender Series and suffered another knockout in his promotional debut in under a minute. He does his best work on the feet, making fights into a brawl and showing off his crisp hand speed. Jesus Aguilar earned a contract off of the Contender Series with his signature guillotine, then suffered a first-round submission to surging prospect Tatsuro Taira. While under-sized for the division, Aguilar makes up for it with constant pressure and sneaky quick submissions, jumping for tight guillotines whenever given the opportunity. While Ross should have the technical advantages to win on the feet, it’s hard to trust his durability, especially with the aggressive style of Aguilar. Additionally, while I don’t see Aguilar having tremendous success getting this fight to the mat, he needs very little opening to pull guard on a tight guillotine, which Ross regularly leaves openings for in the clinch. This is a weird matchup and certainly one of my lower-confidence picks on the card but I like Aguilar to find the finish.

My Pick: Jesus Aguilar via Submission

Kamuela Kirk (11-5) vs. Esteban Ribovics (11-1) (LW)

Kamuela Kirk stepped in on short notice against Makwhan Amirkhani, taking home his first UFC victory with a decision in his debut. He suffered a submission loss to Damon Jackson last time out, now stepping up a weight class. Kirk originally impressed as a prospect with his aggressive top control, pummeling his opponents into submission attempts while rarely sacrificing control, while his boxing has also shown to be a key weapon in his game, picking up two TKOs in his last three wins. Ribovics made it to the UFC with a quick finish on the Contender Series and while he dropped a decision to Loik Radzhabov in his Octagon debut, he still managed to showcase his heavy hands and entertaining style. With a 100% finish rate, Ribovics is dangerous wherever the fight goes, though his lack of defensive wrestling is cause for concern. I expect a close fight on the feet but expect the technical boxing of Kirk to get ahead on volume if he can stay out of the way of any bombs coming his way. He has a massive edge in the wrestling department and should notch enough control time and damage to get the judges’ nod.

My Pick: Kamuela Kirk via Decision

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