This series, titled UFC Brit Watch, will seek to identify and examine fighters from the United Kingdom, with bouts in the upcoming month. February of 2021 features several English rising prospects, all attempting to build momentum, and eventually join the likes of Michael Bisping and Dan Hardy as all-time British greats. Bear in mind that UFC events are often subject to change, and dropouts are an ever-present worry during Covid times.
UFC Brit Watch for February 2021
UFC Fight Night 184: Overeem vs Volkov
“Meatball” Molly McCann vs Lara Fritzen Procopio
Liverpool’s Molly McCann currently holds a 3-2 record within the UFC. Prior to her defeat at the hands of Talia Santos, McCann had been riding a three-fight win streak. Among these wins, “Meatball” holds a victory over “The Queen of Violence,” Ariane Lipski. Her opponent for this upcoming fight is Lare Fritzen Procopio, a Brazilian 6-1 prospect. Procopio is coming off her first professional loss, to Karol Rosa, which was also her first fight for the UFC. McCann has over double the fights of her opponent and is currently the betting favourite. Her experience and relentless pressure should allow her to dominate over 3 rounds.
Prediction: McCann to win via Unanimous Decision.
UFC FIGHT NIGHT 185: Blaydes vs Lewis
Andrei “Pitbull” Arlovski vs Tom Aspinall
Another Liverpudlian, Tom Aspinall could well become a staple of the UFC heavyweight division in the near future. Training out of Team Kaobon, along with UFC middleweight Darren Till, Aspinall has been an instant success within the UFC. First-round (T)KO’s over Jake Collier and Alan Baudot have secured him a chance to break into the rankings, despite only being 11 fights into his career. Arlovski will undoubtedly be the biggest test he has ever faced, and the wily former champ may derail yet another young prospect, just as he did to Tanner Boser. However, the hype behind Aspinall is not without reason. He moves in a way much more akin to that of a middleweight, and yet retains the knockout power of a heavyweight. Combined with a brutal Muay Thai game, as well as a Jiu-Jitsu black belt, and Aspinall may well have the skillset to rapidly ascend the UFC heavyweight roster.
Prediction: Aspinall to win via 2nd round (T)KO.
Drakkar Klose vs Jai “The Black Country Banger” Herbert
Jai Herbert cleared out the Cage Warriors lightweight division in only 2 years, forcing a UFC contract in 2020. ‘The Black Country Banger’ made his debut on UFC Fight Island 4, facing off against UFC veteran Francisco Trinaldo. Herbert convincingly won the first two rounds, with multiple knockdowns in the second. However in the third, a heavy overhand clipped Jai, knocking him out. Despite this, Herbert’s ease in the first two rounds, fighting an extremely high-level opponent, is notable. Drakkar Klose is a highly respected fighter within the UFC and is looking to pick up a submission win against the Wolverhampton native. However, Herbert has stated that he will embrace this adversity, and look to finish the fight before the third round himself. Global audiences have not yet had the chance to fully bear witness to how lethally efficient Jai Herbert’s stand-up is, and this should be the perfect showcase for him to lay out a clinic against Klose. Klose will try to grapple, but Herbert has incredibly strong takedown defence.
Prediction: Herbert to win via 3rd round (T)KO.
That was UFC Brit Watch for the month of February
Another article UFC Brit Watch article will be posted for the March events, once they have been announced. Follow MMA Sucka on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date with all things combat sports.
What are your thoughts on these three English prospects? Do you agree with the predictions above? Let us know in the comments!
