Both looking to get back into the win column, Andre Ewell will face Julio Arce at UFC Vegas 32 on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight will be Arce’s debut at bantamweight after losing to Hakeem Dawodu, while Ewell returns to the Octagon after losing to Chris Gutierrez at a catchweight.
Andre Ewell
Andre Ewell has had his fair share of successes and setbacks in his tenure with the UFC. “Mr. Highlight” has gone 4-3 since joining the UFC back in 2018. All of his wins in the promotion have come by way of a decision, though Ewell is known for his impressive knockouts outside of the UFC.
Ewell has made the rounds on his path to the UFC. Earning a record of 13-4 outside of the UFC, Ewell’s career made stops in the LFA, KOTC, Gladiator Challenge, and a championship in CES on his way to the premier promotion. Ewell earned his moniker with a series of great finishes in these smaller promotions.
Fighting out of Apex MMA in Riverside, California, Ewell has either gone the distance or made it to the third round in all seven of his UFC appearances. Therefore, the southpaw’s cardio should not be an issue in the matchup with Arce. Ewell will also have an inch height advantage and a five-inch reach advantage against Arce.
Julio Arce
Julio Arce has also had his ups and downs in the UFC. Making his debut on Dana White’s Contender Series, Arce has gone 4-2 in his time in the UFC. He holds a notable win over Dan Ige during his time in the featherweight division. With all six of his UFC fights in the higher weight class, whether or not Arce stays in the bantamweight division remains to be seen.
Fighting in the UFC since his DWCS win in 2017, Arce has also made some stops along the way, competing professionally since 2012. His non-UFC record of 12-2 consists of a myriad of KOs, decisions, and submissions that highlight how well-rounded a fighter Arce is. He is yet to be finished in the UFC, and has either gone the distance or finished in the third round in all of his fights with the promotion.
Arce calls Tiger Schulmann’s MMA home, where he trains with fellow UFC fighters Shane Burgos (#14 featherweight) and Jimmie Rivera (#12 bantamweight). Having ranked team members in both of the divisions he will find himself active in after this fight could prove to be an advantage for Arce as he gives up both height and reach to Andre Ewell. Also a southpaw, Arce will need to find every other advantage he can in his bantamweight debut.
The Breakdown
Andre Ewell versus Julio Arce will be one of the prelim fights to watch. Both men are looking to get back in the win column after a loss. Both are also evenly-matched southpaws with slight advantages that can be given to each. While Ewell has the size advantage, Arce should have the power advantage coming down from featherweight.
Ewell, however, has been a bit more active than Arce over the last year fighting three times since the start of the pandemic. Arce has not stepped foot in the Octagon since his loss to Dawodu in 2019. Still, Arce will come into the fight with an advantage in his takedown defense which is currently one of the highest in the UFC at 93%. If he is able to capitalize on staying upright, he will be able to go toe-to-toe with Andre Ewell.
With neither fighter currently ranked in the top 15, a win for either could put each of them in the position to face a ranked opponent in the next fight. Regardless, fans should anticipate a three-round war. If there is a finish and history holds true for Andre Ewell or Julio Arce, it will likely happen in the last round.
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