Professional organizations are finally putting on events again after the New Year’s hiatus. The UFC returns this Saturday with a Fight Night event being headlined by Giga Chikadze and Calvin Kattar. Invicta FC returned this past Wednesday with the crowning of a new Atomweight Champion in Jessica Delboni. ONE Championship, KSW and LFA all return this weekend as well. With that said, let’s look at 5 under the radar matchups that are set for January.
5 Under The Radar Fights in January
1. Brandon Royval vs. Rogerio Bontorin, UFC Fight Night Kattar vs. Chikadze 1/15
Two top-10 flyweights will showcase their skills on Saturday’s main card. Brandon Royval is still only 29 is coming off of back-to-back losses against champion Brandon Moreno and #3 ranked Alexandre Pantoje. Rogerio Bontorin, also has struggled recently. He’s lost two out of his last three, with his lone win coming at bantamweight. This has fight-of-the-night written all over it.
2. Cody Stamann vs. Said Nurmagomedov, UFC 270 1/22
In this bantamweight battle, Cody Stamann looks to get back in the win column after dropping his last two to ranked opposition. Said Nurmagomedov is 3-1 in his UFC career, however, he’s facing his toughest opponent to date in Stamann. Nurmagomedov is a two-to-one favourite. The winner could propel himself into the top 15-20 at one of the toughest weight classes in the entire sport.
3. Sabah Homasi vs. Jaleel Willis, Bellator 273 1/29
Jaleel Willis was a highly touted prospect coming from the LFA. He won both of his first two fights in Bellator before losing via guillotine choke to Mukhamed Berkhamov back at Bellator 268. Sabah Homasi is a savvy veteran who’s rarely ever in a boring fight. Don’t let his record fool you, this is a classic prospect vs. veteran step-up type of fight.
4. Romero Cotton vs. Dalton Rosta, Bellator 273 1/29
A battle of undefeated middleweight prospects collide at Bellator 273 at the Footprint Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The event is headlined by Ryan Bader in a heavyweight clash against Valentin Maldovsky to unify the Bellator Heavyweight and Bellator Interim Heavyweight Championships. However, on the prelims, Romero Cotton and Dalton Rosta are set to square off. Cotton finished his last four opponents and has a wrestling pedigree from Nebraska-Kearney. American Top Team’s Dalton Rosta is a prospect to keep your eye on. The Youngstown State product is 26 and looks every bit like his nickname “Hercules”.
5. Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Kay Hansen UFC 270, 1/22
A matchup between two Strawweight prospects on the prelims at UFC 270. Jasmine Jasudavicius is highly regarded and is making her UFC debut. Kay Hansen looks to rebound after her controversial defeat to Cory McKenna. Hansen only 22 years of age is entering her 12th professional fight. Jasudavicius is her elder, however, she’ll only be entering her 8th professional fight.
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