On a Sunday night, it’s usually a time for people to wind down from an eventful weekend before getting ready to start the new work week after first light the next morning. This Sunday night, however, 44 MMA fighters (that’s right, ladies and gentlemen, we said 44) will be hard at work trying to add wins to their respective resumes.
After a week away last Sunday, Texas-based Fury FC is back for Fury FC 88. Live coverage begins Sunday afternoon at 2:30 pm ET/ 11:30 am PT on the promotion’s Facebook page with the undercard before the main card commences at 5:30 pm ET/ 2:30 pm PT. As always, Fury FC 88’s main card will be streamed on UFC Fight Pass. All told, a whopping 22 fights will take place on this card.
Should there be any swing bouts taking place immediately following the Fury FC 88 main event, they will also be streamed on the Fury FC Facebook page. Highlighting the day’s stacked activities is a middleweight showcase in the headliner.
Wright Clashes with Borrego in Fury FC 88 Main Event
Your headlining bout of the evening sees Jordan Wright (12-5, 1 NC MMA, Fury FC promotional debut) making his first appearance in the sport since being cut from the UFC when he takes on Zack Borrego (6-3 MMA, 6-2 Fury FC.) As per the fight contract, the Fury FC 88 main event is an advertised maximum of five rounds at five minutes per round to cap the main card.
Zach Borrego!!!!!
— Fury FC (@FuryFightingTX) January 21, 2024
Fury FC 88 Main Event Fighter Comparison and Betting Odds
Heading into the Fury FC 88 main event on Sunday, both of these men stand 6-foot-2. Zack Borrego owns a one-inch reach advantage (78 inches to 77 inches) over Jordan Wright.
As of Thursday afternoon, the oddsmakers have this one listed as a pick-’em. While both men have minus odds on the money line, Zack Borrego is a -125 favorite, with Jordan Wright’s odds listed at -105. If you plan on betting on this or any other fight happening this weekend, please wager responsibly.
Wright Looks to End Four-Fight Skid Sunday
Jordan Wright enters the Fury FC 88 main event this Sunday having posted a 1-4 record in the last five fights. Currently, he’s on a four-fight losing streak.
A little more than a year ago, Wright dropped a unanimous decision to Zac Pauga (6-3 MMA, 1-3 UFC) during the latter’s second UFC appearance at UFC Vegas 69 in the co-main event of the evening at light heavyweight. Several days after the card took place inside the UFC Apex, Wright, along with William Knight, were terminated by the promotion.
Jordan Wright was once a ballyhooed prospect on the fast track to the UFC and realized that goal thanks to a second-round knockout against Gabriel Checco four years ago in the LFA. One year removed from being cut from MMA’s top organization, the redemption tour begins for Wright.
With him being out of action for over 13 months, one question remains for Jordan Wright and his camp going into the Fury FC 88 main event this Sunday: How much ring rust is there for him? Only time will tell.
Zack Borrego Gears Up for Third Fight in as Many Months
In the other corner, Zack Borrego is on the opposite end of the coin, having posted a mark of 3-2 in his last five fights. At the present time, he’s on a two-fight winning streak.
Incredibly, Borrego’s two consecutive wins have been recorded in the last two months. Just seven weeks ago on Feb. 4, he scored a first-round knockout in one minute and 51 seconds against Garrett Foster (0-3 MMA, 0-2 Fury FC) in Fury Challenger Series 11, which was itself a mere two weeks removed from a second-round knockout over Cameron Presher (1-1 MMA, 0-1 Fury FC) in Fury FC 85.
Recently, Borrego was a guest on the 4 oz. to Freedom podcast to talk how his past defeats humbled him and eventually led to his current run of success.
“It’s been good, man,” Borrego began. “I don’t have [any] complaints, you know? I obviously took some Ls, I really wasn’t planning on that. I had a goal in mind, and unfortunately, these losses kind of derailed that a little bit, but at the same time, I feel like because of those losses, the amount of growth that I’ve experienced, not only in martial arts but as a man growing up, is kind of what I needed. I’ve had some little bumps in the road, but I feel now, it’s been for the better. I’ve been good, excited to get my wind back in March, and excited for what’s after.”
A win on Sunday would make it three victories for Zack Borrego in a little over 60 days’ time. If he picks up his third win in three months, it could propel him to a second opportunity on Contender Series later on this summer, two years removed from a loss to Bo Nickal, if not an outright UFC deal.
Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction
You’ve got another classic strength versus strength matchup this Sunday in the Fury FC 88 main event. Both of these men are known to get the job done inside the distance.
Jordan Wright Can Make Quick Work of Any Opponent
While it hasn’t happened lately for Jordan Wright, he can get the finish to the fight in a hurry. Just look at the tape of the second round of his fight against Gabriel Checco.
Not long after the command to fight was given, Wright peppered Checco with a kick to the body while the latter countered with an overhanded punch.
Wright returned fire with a second kick to Checco’s body, this one putting him on the mat. He moved in with a flurry of ground and pound shots to give the exclamation point to a knockout victory just 48 seconds into the period.
If Jordan Wright scores with a kick to Zack Borrego’s body, he can wobble him and maybe land a knockout blow.
Zack Borrego Can Wrap it Up in A Hurry, Too
In the other corner, Zack Borrego is singing a classic refrain: “Anything you can do, I can do better. I can do anything better than you.”
Borrego has also been known to complete his assignments expediently, as illustrated during the Fury FC 63 swing bouts against William Vandervier. During the opening round, Borrego immediately went to work with a barrage of shots, including a burst of ground and pound, to win the bout in just 30 blistering seconds.
If Zack Borrego moves in on Jordan Wright quickly, look out. His day of work could be over almost as soon as it starts in the Fury FC 88 main event.
Final Thoughts
Even though no belt is at stake in the Fury FC 88 main event, it doesn’t matter. We’ve still got a cracking affair on-tap early Sunday evening.
Prediction: Zack Borrego by Third-Round TKO.
