The UFC heads down to Mexico City, Mexico for UFC Mexico. With 12 fights on the schedule, the fight fans from Mexico are in for a treat. The main event almost guarantees fireworks, as Jeremy Stephens fights Yair Rodriguez. Stephens is looking to get back to his winning ways after back to back losses to Zabit Magomedsharipov and Jose Aldo. Rodriguez last fought in November of 2018 where he had a highlight-reel knockout over Chan Sung Jung at the end of the round. With a combined 23 TKO’s between both fighters, the main event should be full of action.
Another notable fight on the card includes the co-main event which is in the women’s strawweight division as Carla Esparza takes on Alexa Grasso. Esparza fought earlier this year in April against Virna Jandiroba, where she came out with a decision victory. Grasso is coming off a unanimous decision victory back in June against Karolina Kowalkiewicz.
UFC Mexico is set to bring exciting action from Mexico City. Here is a rundown on all the prelim fights scheduled to take place.
Claudio Puelles vs. Marcos Mariano
The first fight of the night has Puru’s Claudio Puelles taking on Brazil’s Marcos Mariano in a lightweight matchup. Mariano will be looking for his first UFC win as he was submitted by Landon Vannata in his debut at UFC 234. With a record of 6-5, Mariano is out to show why he belongs in the UFC.
Puelles last fought back at UFC Fight Night 129 and he came away with a kneebar submission victory over Filipe Silva. It has been 16 months since that victory as Puelles was sidelined with injuries. He is hoping he can string together 2 wins in a row heading into the new year.
Sijara Eubanks vs. Bethe Correia
Mexico City will see a women’s bantamweight fight between Sijara Eubanks and Bethe Correia. Eubanks competed on The Ultimate Fighter Season 26 and finished as a finalist. Her last fight had her losing a unanimous decision to Aspen Ladd at UFC on ESPN+ 10. A win for Eubanks will move her closer to breaking into the top 10 in the bantamweight division.
At UFC 190 an undefeated Bethe Correia fought Rhonda Rousey for the bantamweight championship. Since then Correia has gone 1-4-1 with her win coming against Jessica Eye at UFC 203. Currently ranked #15 in the bantamweight division, Correia will need to start putting a streak together if she ever wants a title shot again.
Vinicius Moreira vs. Paul Craig
In a light heavyweight fight, Paul Craig takes on Vinicius Moreira. Coming off a loss to Alonzo Menifield, Craig will likely try to take this fight to the ground, as 10 of his 11 wins have come from submission. With three bonuses in seven fights in the UFC, the unranked light heavyweight should give the fans an exciting fight.
After earning a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2018 Vinicius Moreira is still trying to get his first UFC victory. With a loss by TKO to Menifield and a KO loss to Eryk Anders in his first two UFC fights, Moreira will be proving he belongs. Look to see this turn into a grappling match as Moreira has 8 submission victories.
Sergio Pettis vs. Tyson Nam
Sergio Pettis meets Tyson Nam in the octagon for what should be an exciting flyweight division fight. Ranked as a #5 flyweight, Pettis is on a two-fight losing streak after losses to Jussier Formiga and Rob Font who he fought at bantamweight. Now back fighting as a flyweight, Pettis needs a bounce-back win before he falls lower down the ladder.
It took him 13 years but Tyson Nam is now in the UFC and has a tough matchup against Pettis. Nam is heading into the UFC on a two-fight win streak and he has gone 6-1-1 in his last 8 fights. With 10 knockouts on his record, don’t be surprised if Nam gets another one as this has the opportunity to be an exciting fight.
Angela Hill vs. Ariane Carnelossi
Mexico is treated to a women’s strawweight fight between Angela Hill and Ariane Carnelossi. After losing her first professional fight, Carnelossi has put together 12 straight wins with nine coming by way of finish. This fight is Carnelossi’s UFC debut.
Angela Hill is one of the most active fighters on the UFC roster this year as this fight is her fourth in 2019. The Ultimate Fighter Season 20 veteran needs a win in this fight as she only has one win in her last four fights.
Marco Polo Reyes vs. Kyle Nelson
Marco Polo Reyes fights Kyle Nelson in a featherweight matchup. Coming into this fight, Reyes is on a two-fight losing streak after losing to Drew Dober and Damir Hadzovic. Reyes competed in The Ultimate Fighter Latin America Season 2 and being from Mexico, he should be a fan favorite this weekend.
Before signing with the UFC, Kyle Nelson was on a six fight winning streak. The streak was broken in his UFC debut when he lost to Diego Ferreira and he followed that up with a loss to Matt Sayles. Neither fighter wants to lose three in a row so don’t expect the judges to be involved.
Jose Alberto Quinonez vs. Carlos Huachin
The final fight of the prelims has Jose Alberto Quinonez fighting Carlos Huachin at bantamweight. Quinonez lost to Nathaniel Wood earlier in the year but prior to that, he was on a four-fight win streak. A native of Mexico, Quinonez made it to the finale of The Ultimate Fighter Latin America Season 1. With the hometown crowd behind him, Quinonez will want to make a statement in this fight.
Huachin made his UFC debut in May of this year at UFC 237, where he picked up a short notice fight against Raoni Barcelos but ultimately fell short and lost. He has proven knockout power as eight of his ten wins have come via TKO. With a full camp behind him, Huachin is ready to show UFC fans his full potential at UFC Mexico.
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