The Octagon makes its way to Nashville, Tennessee this Saturday for an eleven-bout fight card in the Bridgestone Arena.

In the main event, ranked Bantamweights collide as the all-action Cory Sandhagen takes on late replacement Rob Font, always game for a brawl. Undefeated prospect Tatiana Suarez returns to the Strawweight division opposite Jessica Andrade in a bout that will likely determine the next title challenger following Zhang vs. Lemos later this month.

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Main Card

Cory Sandhagen (16-4) vs. Rob Font (20-6) (140-lb. Catchweight)

After dropping a decision to Petr Yan for interim gold, Cory Sandhagen has rebounded with consecutive victories over Song Yadong and Marlon Vera, most recently besting the latter in a decision Rob Font has impressed with his technical boxing in recent years, picking up a statement first-round knockout over Adrian Yanez in his last outing. I think we’re in for a striker’s delight here as neither is much of an offensive grappler, but I do give Sandhagen the offensive upside should it go there. He boasts the more versatile striking attack along with more durability and I see him pouring on the offense for a late finish.

My Pick: Cory Sandhagen via Knockout

Jessica Andrade (24-11) vs. Tatiana Suarez (9-0) (SW)

Despite coming off two straight finish losses, I think Andrade has a much better chance than the lopsided odds are giving her, Suarez seems to be in store for another addition to her highlight reel. After nearly four years away from the Octagon, she returned at Flyweight, submitting BJJ ace Montana de la Rosa, now dropping back down to 115 pounds. While Andrade will undoubtedly give Suarez the toughest fight of her career on the feet, Blanchfield, Shevchenko, and Raquel Pennington have shown how Andrade’s offense disintegrates when secured on her back. I see Suarez dominating this fight on the mat before forcing a finish after the midway point.

My Pick: Tatiana Suarez via Submission

Dustin Jacoby (18-7-1) vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu (12-3) (LHW)

After going on a tear in the UFC, Jacoby has suffered three straight losses. He brings high-level kickboxing but his wrestling and gas tank are both susceptible. Nzechukwu is on a three-fight finishing streak displaying consistent improvements from fight to fight. His range is massive for the weight class and he has the striking variety and distance to do serious damage on the feet. In addition, he showed in the Roberson fight his grappling is developing and is capable of mixing the fight up if necessary. I see Nzechukwu piling up damage for a dominant decision or late TKO.

My Pick: Kennedy Nzechukwu via Decision

Gavin Tucker (13-2) vs. Diego Lopes (21-6) (FTW)

Gavin Tucker is returning after over two years away from the Octagon following a KO loss to Dan Ige, while Lopes impressed in a valiant losing effort in his short-notice debut opposite Movsar Evloev. While Lopes is a dangerous BJJ artist, his takedown defense has glaring holes and he is too willing to work off of his back. There are quite a few unknowns surrounding Tucker’s hiatus and his chin, but I think the layoff has refined his skill set, and see him controlling the fight through the dangerous guard of Lopes for a decision, though a Lopes finish wouldn’t surprise me.

My Pick: Gavin Tucker via Decision

Tanner Boser (20-10-1) vs. Aleksa Camur (6-2) (LHW)

There are quite a few unknowns going into this one and I’m excited to see how it plays out. Boser dropped to 205 lbs. after going 1-3 in his last four at Heavyweight, but suffered a quick stoppage loss to Ion Cutelaba on the mat. Camur has not fought in two years and is on a two-fight losing streak, but has shown solid boxing offense and serviceable wrestling. It’s clear Boser offers little off of his back and if Camur mixes in takedowns with his volume on the feet, he will be more than competitive. I see this fight likely going to a close decision, and I like the potential wrestling upside and growth of Camur to win out, though much will depend on what Camur we see post-layoff.

My Pick: Aleksa Camur via Decision

Ignacio Bahamondes (14-4) vs. L’udovit Klein (19-4-1) (LW)

Both fighters here have bright futures in the UFC but I think Bahamondes has the style to cruise to a dominant win here. While Klein’s kickboxing offense is as versatile and aggressive as it is technical, his defense often lapses within boxing range. Bahamondes’ lengthy kickboxing should pick him apart at range for a clear decision or late TKO.

My Pick: Ignacio Bahamondes via Decision

Prelims

Raoni Barcelos (17-4) vs. Kyler Phillips (10-2) (BW)

I’m really excited for this prelims headliner and feel that Barcelos has a better shot than the odds are giving him, at the very least. Both are well-versed martial artists who can succeed in multiple avenues, but each has its key advantages in this matchup. Phillips is a wild man on the feet, bringing constant movement and beautiful footwork in with dangerous combinations, while Barcelos boasts technical boxing and devastating leg kicks on the feet. While Phillips has fantastic jiu-jitsu, the wrestling advantage belongs to Barcelos and he may find success in top control. I see Phillips mixing together his high-octane offense for a close-decision win.

My Pick: Kyler Phillips via Decision

Jeremiah Wells (12-2-1) vs. Carlston Harris (18-5) (WW)

Wells stormed into the UFC with a trio of first-round finishes then won a controversial split decision over Matthew Semelsberger in his last outing. Meanwhile, Harris rebounded with a dominant decision over Jared Gooden to rebound from his loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov. Wells is a terrific wrestler training at a great BJJ camp but will be on the wrong side of the striking differential here. I also don’t see him getting Harris down with ease, much less holding him there. I see Harris denying takedowns and racking up significant strikes for a unanimous decision.

My Pick: Carlston Harris via Decision

Billy Quarantillo (17-5) vs. Damon Jackson (22-5-1) (FTW)

I expect to see some fantastic scrambles in the grappling exchanges here, as both have proven their ability on the feet and the mat. I give Quarantillo an edge in the striking and expect his volume and variety to give Jackson problems. However, Quarantillo’s takedown defense can be lackluster at times and I see Jackson making this a dogfight. I see this fight likely ending in a finish, as Jackson will dominate early with his wrestling advantage, but Quarantillo is live for a knockout if Jackson starts to fade. I think Jackson dominates on the ground and forces a submission.

My Pick: Damon Jackson via Submission

Jake Hadley (10-1) vs. Cody Durden (15-4-1) (FLW)

Hadley made headlines when he earned a contract after missing weight on the Contender and after a rough debut, he has put together two straight finishes, most recently knocking out Jake Hadley. While I think Hadley has a massive striking advantage here, Durden has a massive wrestling advantage and does not hesitate to use it in a single one of his fights. While Hadley has a terrific BJJ game, he is often too willing to work off his back and has notoriously porous takedown defense. I see Durden landing consistent takedowns and control for the decision nod.

My Pick: Cody Durden via Decision

Sean Woodson (9-1-1) vs. Dennis Buzukja (11-2) (FTW)

Sean Woodson is getting his fourth opponent for this card here in the always-ready Dennis Buzukja, who has been calling for his UFC shot since getting a win on last year’s Contender Series and picking up three straight victories in the interim. Woodson is a lanky striker with a massive frame for the division who primarily does his best work with his fast hands and boxing combos, while Buzukja loves mixing it up on the feet and the mat with a high-level BJJ game, training at Serra Longo. Ultimately, I think Woodson’s reach and speed at getting back to his feet will keep the ball in his court, while Buzukja’s rapid weight cut also isn’t doing him any favors.

My Pick: Sean Woodson via Knockout

Ode Osbourne (12-5) vs. Asu Almabaev (17-2) (FLW)

I’m really excited to see how Almabaev performs in his UFC debut after dominating the regional circuit and Brave CF. His pressure wrestling will be his key weapon here, and while he has a variety of finishes on his resume, control is going to be the name of the game for the Kazakh. While Ode has a dangerous skillset, particularly on the feet in this one, I see Asu repeatedly grounding him for a late sub or dominant decision.

My Pick: Asu Almabaev via Decision

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