[THE_LOCKSMITH]

ESPN 7:00 pm ET
Cory Sandhagen vs. TJ Dillashaw
Aspen Ladd vs. Macy Chiasson
Kyler Phillips vs. Raulian Paiva
Darren Elkins vs. Darrick Minner
Miranda Maverick vs. Maycee Barber
Mickey Gall vs. Jordan Williams

ESPN+ 4:00 pm ET
Brendan Allen vs. Puna Soriano
Ian Heinisch vs. Nassourdine Imavov
Randy Costa vs. Adrian Yanez
Julio Arce vs. Andre Ewell
Sijara Eubanks vs. Elise Reed
Diana Belbita vs. Hannah Goldy

[Thor4140]

I would think Cris Daukus would be on the main card. Something missing or is that fight scratched

[Sanity Check]

Bookies going with the..."nothing in life hits harder than USADA" angle for the main?

...

In before someone says there's value on TJ Dillashaw.

I would think Cris Daukus would be on the main card. Something missing or is that fight scratched

Rescheduled for Hall vs Strickland.

https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/7/1...ace-on-july-31

[sosawestbrook]

I would think Cris Daukus would be on the main card. Something missing or is that fight scratched

pushed back to next week

[sosawestbrook]

Cory via something sweet

[hankcream]

I think Dillashaw is going to have too much speed for Sandhagen to deal with on the feet and if Dillashaw wants to take to the ground he should be able to take him down at will. Hoping the line keeps going up if I can get close to +200 on Dillashaw I will be more than happy.

[Sanity Check]

Chael with the main event inside info.

[agendaman]

inside bs

[sosawestbrook]

Cory via something sweet

Cory sub +2000
gotta think TJ will wrestle some & Cory is a slick grappler
him knocking dudes out left & right gives us a huge line here

[JIBBBY]

Prelim write ups -





135 lbs.: Julio Arce vs. Andre Ewell

Julio Arce (16-4) brought the Ring of Combat Featherweight title into his “Contender Series” appearance, which saw him dismantle Peter Petties en route to a second-round stoppage. He went on to win three of five in the Octagon, both of those defeats coming by split decision.
This will be his first fight in more than 20 months and his first Bantamweight bout since a loss to Brian Kelleher in 2016.
Andre Ewell (17-7) started his UFC run with an upset decision over former champion Renan Barao, and though he lost two of his next three, he got back on track with two consecutive victories. This set up a clash with Chris Gutierrez, who used powerful low kicks to wear down Ewell and claim a decision victory.
He’ll enjoy one inch of height and five inches of reach on Arce.
I was an early believer in Ewell, even (unwisely) picking up to beat Nathaniel Wood and Marlon Vera, but he just hasn’t panned out the way I wanted him to. As impressive as he can be when firing on all cylinders and putting together sharp punching volleys, he’s struggled to consistently control the stand up or deny opponents’ takedowns.
That’s bad news against Arce because beyond having the versatile kickboxing to hold his own on the feet despite the reach disadvantage, he’s a sufficiently skilled grappler to drag Ewell to the mat if things get hairy. Barring some serious rust issues, Arce’s technical skill and well-rounded attack should carry him to a comfortable decision win.
Prediction: Arce via unanimous decision
Related
Up Next! Dillashaw Returns Against Sandhagen!

125 lbs.: Sijara Eubanks vs. Elise Reed

Sijara Eubanks (6-6) enjoyed an impressive run on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 26 as a Flyweight and won her first two UFC bouts at 125 pounds before issues with the weight cut forced her to move up. She’s since amassed a 2-4 record at Bantamweight, entering the cage this Saturday on the heels of decision losses to Ketlen Vieira and Pannie Kianzad.
“Sarj” stands one inch taller than Elise Reed (4-0) at 5’4.”
Reed’s lengthy amateur career saw her score five stoppages en route to a 7-1 record before turning pro in 2019. After a debut win in Bellator, she took her talents to Cage Fury, where she won and twice defended their Strawweight title.
She steps in for Priscila Cachoeira on less than one month’s notice.
Moving back to Flyweight, or at least trying to, isn’t going to cure what ails Eubanks. She just hasn’t developed the striking to leverage her punching power and her wrestling is too inconsistent to bring her legitimately world-class ground game to bear against top competition.
She should still be too much for Reed, though. While she’s a terrific offensive striker, Reed’s shaky takedown defense looks ripe for exploitation by the much larger “Sarj,” and even a thoroughly drained Eubanks should be able to lean on her bread and butter. So long as Eubanks isn’t completely D.O.A. after her latest war with the scales, she grinds her way to a comfortable victory despite Reed’s best efforts to strike off of her back.
Prediction: Eubanks via unanimous decision
Related
Dillashaw: Sandhagen Headliner ‘Real Title Fight’

115 lbs.: Diana Belbita vs. Hannah Goldy

Romania’s Diana Belbita (13-6) rode a four-fight win streak into her Octagon debut, which saw her drop a decision to Liverpool’s Molly McCann in Boston. “Warrior Princess” returned to action nine months later, starting strong against Liana Jojua before tapping to an armbar midway through the first round.
Her 10 professional finishes include six knockouts.
Hannah Goldy (5-1) leaned on a high-volume striking attack to defeat Kali Robbins on “Contender Series,” then made her first Octagon walk less than two months later. Miranda Granger proved a tougher nut to crack, out-working Goldy en route to a decision victory.
This marks her first fight in almost two years, as she pulled out of a planned clash with Loma Lookboonmee and two separate meetings with Jessica Penne.
This one really boils down to which Goldy enters the cage. If it’s the nimble, ultra-active counter-striker who pieced up Robbins, she’ll run circles around Belbita. If she’s as gun-shy as she was against Granger and as easy to bully into the fence, Belbita’s raw aggression may be enough to carry her to victory.
I’m going to give Goldy the benefit of the doubt and say Octagon jitters got in her way. That may be a bit optimistic, sure, but Belbita throwing away a winnable fight in favor of diving right into Jojua’s wheelhouse has me thinking that even a subpar Goldy can befuddle her and take her apart. In the end, Goldy sticks and moves her way to a wide decision win.
Prediction: Goldy via unanimous decision



185 lbs.: Punahele Soriano vs. Brendan Allen (16-4)

Though he was forced to see the judges for the first time in his professional career, Punahele Soriano (8-0) secured a contract on “Contender Series” with a decision over Jamie Pickett. “Puna” returned to his finishing ways in the Octagon itself, flattening Oskar Piechota and Dusko Todorovic in one round apiece.
He has scored five knockouts and two submissions as a professional face puncher.
Brendan Allen (16-4) — then the reigning LFA Middleweight champion — dispatched Aaron Jeffrey in less than one round to earn himself a UFC contract in his own “Contender Series” appearance. He proceeded to win four of five in the world’s largest fight promotion, including stoppages of Kevin Holland and Tom Breese.
“All In” will have three inches of height and reach on Soriano.
On paper, Allen has the tools to test Soriano in a way that Piechota and Todorovic couldn’t. He’s a better striker and wrestler than either of those men, and if he can turn the fight into either a technical striking match or a grueling grind, he could force Soriano to prove whether he’s fixed the cardio issues that plagued him against Pickett.
That’s a big “if,” though, especially since Allen is so easy to hit. Soriano’s murderous left hand might be enough to carry the Hawaiian to victory by itself, and while Allen’s shown off some serious toughness in prior fights, I don’t trust him to shake off the sort of clean bombs Soriano figures to land. In short, Soriano makes it 3-0 in the Octagon with another quick finish.
Prediction: Soriano via first round technical knockout
Related
Dillashaw: Sandhagen Headliner ‘Real Title Fight’

185 lbs.: Nassourdine Imavov vs. Ian Heinisch

When his “Contender Series” slot against Gregory Rodrigues fell through, Nassourdine Imavov (9-3) proceeded right to the Octagon, where he overpowered “Contender Series” graduate Jordan Williams for his sixth consecutive win. Then came another “Contender Series” alumn in Phil Hawes, who banked two strong rounds and survived a late surge to hand Imavov his first defeat since 2017.
He’s ended seven pro fights inside the distance, five of them via knockout.
Ian Heinisch (14-4) went from LFA champion to UFC competitor with a ground-and-pound beatdown of Justin Sumter on “Contender Series,” then announced his arrival with wins over Cezar Ferreira and Antonio “Cara de Sapato.” He’s just 1-3 since, most recently suffering a decision loss to Kelvin Gastelum in Feb. 2021.
“Hurricane” gives up four inches of height and three inches of reach to Imavov.
Even acknowledging that he’s only lost to quality fighters in UFC, it’s hard not to feel like Heinisch should be doing better. Between his wrestling pedigree, punching power and overall physicality, this is a man with the tools to be a real player at 185 pounds, but he’s really struggling to make his game work against top-class opposition.
That said, this does look like a winnable match up. Imavov isn’t always the best at maintaining range, and considering how successful Hawes was at controlling him against the cage, it’s easy to see Heinisch doing the same. It won’t be pretty, but expect Heinisch to smother his way back into the win column.
Prediction: Heinisch via unanimous decision
Related
COVID Scratches UFC Vegas 32 Matchup

135 lbs.: Adrian Yanez vs. Randy Costa

Adrian Yanez (13-3) — whose only losses since 2014 came by split decision against future UFC competitors Domingo Pilarte and Miles Johns — punched his ticket to the Octagon by smashing Brady Huang in 39 seconds on “Contender Series.” Subsequent efforts proved similarly violent, dispatching Victor Rodriguez and Gustavo Lopez with bonus-winning knockouts.
He stands two inches shorter than Randy Costa (6-1) and gives up three inches of reach.
“The Zohan” only needed a combined 2:50 to dispatch his first four professional foes, but couldn’t keep the momentum going in a UFC debut loss to Brandon Davis. He’s since gotten back on track with violent finishes of Boston Salmon and Journey Newson, the latter of which earned Costa “Performance of the Night.”
All of his professional and amateur wins have come by form of knockout.
I have no idea why this is buried in the middle of the “Prelims” because it is teed up to be an absolute slugfest for however long it lasts. For my money, it comes down to Yanez’s chin. The Texan is an extremely adept counter-puncher and Costa’s berserker offense leaves holes you could drive a truck through, meaning that if Yanez can survive the blows his own leaky defense lets through, he’ll end things in a hurry.
While Costa hits heinously hard and I’ve definitely underestimated him before, Yanez has given me no reason to doubt his durability. As much as I like to watch devastating punchers blow away superior technicians through sheer brute force, Yanez’s boxing is just too sharp for Costa to try and smash his way through. In short, Yanez plunks him with a counter right sometime in the first few minutes.
Prediction: Yanez via first-round knockout

[JIBBBY]

Main card -


Bantamweight: Kyler Phillips vs. Raulian Paiva

Best Win for Phillips? Song Yadong For Paiva? Zhalgas Zhumulgov
Current Streak: Phillips is 3-0 inside the Octagon, while Paiva has won two straight
X-Factor: Paiva is at 135 lbs. after struggling to make the Flyweight limit
How these two match up: Expect a striking battle.
Phillips is a very slick outside kickboxer. He moves well and walks his foes into counters, but he’s also able to close the distance with shocking speed. Oh, and he’s got a strong wrestling background with a jiu-jitsu brown belt for good measure.
It’s not hard to see why people are excited about the 26-year-old.
Of course, Paiva is a year younger and has 20 professional wins! The Brazilian is a scrapper, an aggressive combination puncher who knows no other way to fight than to advance forward.
This is likely to be a really fun and competitive match up, but it’s hard not to feel that Phillips has the edge. Paiva perhaps hits harder, but Phillips’ evasiveness will likely keep him safe, whereas Paiva’s activity will create openings for the American. Plus, if the striking isn’t going well at any point, Phillips is likely the superior takedown artist.
Unless Paiva lands a one-hitter quitter, Phillips’ volume likely sways the judges.
Prediction: Phillips via decision
Related
Dillashaw: Sandhagen Headliner ‘Real Title Fight’

---

Featherweight: Darren Elkins vs. Darrick Minner

Best Win for Elkins? Mirsad Bektic For Minner? Charles Rosa
Current Streak: Elkins returned to the win column last time out, whereas Minner has won two straight
X-Factor: Minner has improved a lot under the tutelage of James Krause
How these two match up: A pair of Midwest wrastlers will throw down!
Elkins is a legend. The grinder is willing to walk through hellacious punishment in pursuit of the takedown, and he’s made a career out of out-lasting opponents. Meanwhile, Minner is all aggression. For a man with 22 submission wins on his record, Minner has also showed surprising power in his hands.
Now, I have to admit bias here: I’ve trained with Elkins for years, and I greatly admire his work ethic and mental toughness. That grain of salt aside, however, this reads like a truly terrible match up for Minner.
Elkins is damn near impossible to submit. In a 14-year professional career, Elkins has been submitted a single time nearly a decade ago ... and it was by Charles Oliveira, UFC’s all-time submission ace! Ryan Hall couldn’t do tap out the veteran, and submissions represent Minner’s usual path to victory.
I am confident, at some point, Minner will lock up a gnarly guillotine that will appear set in stone. Then, Elkins will somehow escape, be in top position, and the tide will soon turn as “The Damage” drowns his foe in deep waters.
Prediction: Elkins via submission
Related
Predictions! UFC Vegas 32 ‘Prelims’ Preview - Pt. 1

Predictions! UFC Vegas 32 ‘Prelims’ Preview - Pt. 2

---

Women’s Flyweight: Maycee Barber vs. Miranda Maverick

Best Win for Barber? JJ Aldrich For Maverick? Gillian Robertson
Current Streak: Barber has lost two in a row, while Maverick won two straight inside the Octagon
X-Factor: Has Barber’s takedown defense improved?
How these two match up: Talented young 125-pounders will collide.
Barber rose up the ranks quickly thanks to her physicality and power, but perhaps that backfired, as her technical skills failed her a bit against more experienced opposition. Fortunately, “The Future” is still just 23 years old, so it would be foolish to write her off just yet.
Maverick is in the midst of her own quick rise. The 24-year-old Invicta FC veteran is a ground specialist, quite good at dragging her foes down to the mat and then overwhelming their defenses.
Ah, the problem that so often arises: a fight solely determined by whether or not the takedown lands. If Maverick is consistently able to score takedowns. she’s very likely going to control the fight without much issue. However, should Barber stuff a shot or two, her close range power is a definite fight-ender.
Ultimately, I still like Barber’s upside. Her losses are understandable enough: youth and an ACL tear cost her against a crafty veteran (Roxeanne Modafferi), then she faced a genuine top-tier contender (Alexa Grasso) in her return.
Barber can do damage given small openings, and she’s likely to find some this weekend.
Prediction: Barber via knockout
Related
COVID Scratches UFC Vegas 32 Matchup

---

Welterweight: Mickey Gall vs. Jordan Williams

Best Win for Gall? Sage Northcutt For Williams? Gregory Rodrigues
Current Streak: Both men lost their last bout
X-Factor: Will Gall’s cardio hold him back?
How these two match up: This might be a “loser goes home” battle.
Gall meme’d his way onto the UFC roster, and to his credit, he’s managed to stick around for another few years. While his kickboxing has been progressing well to match his grappling skill, Gall’s conditioning has continued to be an issue.
Williams is still searching for his first win inside the Octagon. The California-native is well-rounded, capable of slinging power punches and wrestling along the fence.
This will be his first bout at 170 pounds.
I just do not trust Gall past the first round. Williams may not be as established as the men who have beaten Gall, but he can match the submission fighter’s size, and he has yet to tap out as a professional.
Williams may face some early adversity, but if he survives, he’ll get on top and ride out the win.
Prediction: Williams via decision

[PaperTrail07]

Solid Card
Early Leans On Allen and Paiva at that price

[magpie878]

DK has odds boost of Sandhagen by KO/TKO/DQ at +170

Fight to end in first 60 seconds: +1400

[Sanity Check]

When USADA pops you for EPO.

Open a juice bar called "Clean Juice".

[Sanity Check]

LeMartin picks

Barber +120
Sandhagen -182

[JIBBBY]

TJ washed up now as the sport I think has passed him by at this point. Going to fade him just not sure by decision or ITD?

[frankieunits2685]

Aspen Ladd vs. Macy Chiasson is off due to an injury.

[UncleChael]

TJ washed up now as the sport I think has passed him by at this point. Going to fade him just not sure by decision or ITD?

Sandhagen is gonna put his lights out Jibbys

[JIBBBY]

Sandhagen is gonna put his lights out Jibbys

I tend to agree..

[hankcream]

[hankcream]

Aspen Ladd vs. Macy Chiasson is off due to an injury.

That's sucks but it may have saved me some $. I had 1.75 units on Aspen Ladd and I usually suck at picking women's fights.

[UncleChael]

I tend to agree..

The last TJ Dillashaw fight that happened, he lasted 32 seconds.

[Sanity Check]

Rachael Ostovich def Paige Vanzant via UD, BKFC 19 results.

[slikec]

I just have to say that first post poster picture of Dillashaw is penetrating top notch work. Half Joker half double face(we dont see other half hehe).

[sosawestbrook]

Bets

Eubanks/Yanez parlay -124
Sandhagen/Yanez parlay +128
Minner/Elkins doesn’t go distance -125

Longshot props

Yanez Rd 1 +475
Allen Rd 2 +600
Cory sub +2000

[Demonata]

Scary card. Tj is no bum. Definitely don't see main even going the distance.

[Kermit]

Rachael Ostovich def Paige Vanzant via UD, BKFC 19 results.

Vanzant is a sore loser. She should stick to Instagram or do porn.

[Brandt Moat]

Heavy lean on Soriano. Love the power and aggressive style. Maverick is another one I will be backing. She continues to improve each fight. Her striking when she gets them on the ground has some room for improvement. Throwing Dillashaw and Heinisch in on a parlay. Dillashaw is getting a bad rap for PED's. A whole lot of em are on them. Just can't see putting any real cash on him til I see what he is like now. GL

[Brandt Moat]

Will take the + $ on Reed. Like the value. If she can last til the 3rd round she has a chance. Chocolate melts in the 3rd period.

[hankcream]

Fight night plays:
1 unit Eubanks inside the distance +125
1 unit Puna by KO/TKO/DQ +135
1.55 units Minner -155
1.77 units Williams -177
1 unit Barber +125
4 units Dillashaw +180

[Hugo de Naranja]

UFC on ESPN 27: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw
Diana Belbita Unanimous Decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Sijara Eubanks Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)
Julio Arce Round 3 Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Jordan Williams Round 2 TKO (Punches)
Ian Heinisch Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)
Punahele Soriano Round 1 TKO (Punches)
Adrian Yanez Round 2 TKO (Punches)
Miranda Maverick Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)
Darrick Minner Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
Kyler Phillips Unanimous Decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Cory Sandhagen Round 1 TKO (Punches)

[Hugo de Naranja]

UFC on ESPN 27: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw

ESPN Prelims:

Fight #1: Belbita vs. Goldy
Belbita (-110) 0.55u to win 0.5u

Fight #2: Eubanks vs. Reed (DEBUT)
No Bet

Fight #3: Arce vs. Ewell
Arce Round 3 (+1400) 0.2u

Fight #4: J. Williams vs. Gall
J. Williams KO/TKO (+225) 0.26u

Fight #5: Heinisch vs. Imavov
No Bet

Fight #6: P. Soriano vs. B. Allen
No Bet

Main Card:

Fight #7: Yanez vs. R. Costa
Yanez ITD (-118) 0.35u to win 0.3u

Fight #8: Maverick vs. Barber
No Bet

Fight #9: Minner vs. Elkins
No Bet

Fight #10: K. Phillips vs. Paiva
No Bet

Fight #11: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw
Sandhagen KO/TKO (+167) 1u
Sandhagen Round 1 (+600) 0.25u

[frankieunits2685]

Lets do it

[Demonata]

Its time!!!!!!

[Pr0ph3t]

Vanzant is a sore loser. She should stick to Instagram or do porn.

She does. Her goofy ass husband even be in some of her vids and photo shoots. Not tryna get banned for posting nudity, tho.