For the first time in a few weeks, the itinerary of MMA for the weekend extends into Sunday. Less than 24 hours after fans of competitive violence turn their clocks back one hour to mark the end of Daylight Savings Time, Texas-based Fury FC returns to its traditional Sunday evening timeslot.
This week, Fury heads to Imagen Venues in Houston for Fury FC 98. As usual, live coverage of the card begins Sunday afternoon at 2:30 pm ET/ 11:30 am PT on the promotion’s official YouTube channel with the prelims.
Main card action immediately follows at 5:30 pm ET/ 2:30 pm PT on UFC Fight Pass. Barring any late adjustments to Sunday’s card, the final version of Fury FC 98 features an 18-fight slate.
Fury FC Lightweight Championship Up For Grabs Sunday in Fury FC 98 Main Event
Highlighting the night’s itinerary is the battle for the Fury FC Lightweight Championship in the headliner. Undefeated Mansher Khera (7-0 MMA, 3-0 Fury FC) takes on nine-fight veteran Devon Dixon (7-1-1 MMA, 2-0 Fury FC.)
As with all main events in Fury FC, this title fight in the Fury FC 98 main event is an advertised maximum of five rounds at five minutes per round to close the show.
Fury FC 98 Main Event Fighter Comparison and Betting Odds
Heading into the Fury FC 98 main event on Sunday evening, both of these contestants stand level in height at 5-foot-10. Mansher Khera owns a 2 1/2-inch reach (74 inches even to 71 1/2 inches) over Devon Dixon.
Currently, the oddsmakers have Mansher Khera installed as a -450 favorite on the money line, while Devon Dixon counters as a +300 underdog. If you plan on betting on this or any other fight happening this weekend in MMA and/or combat sports, please wager responsibly.
Khera Looking to Solidify Case for UFC Call-Up with Title Fight Win
Mansher Khera enters the Fury FC 98 main event having yet to lose thus far in his professional MMA career. Last time out, he scored a first-round submission (rear-naked choke) over Hector Saenz (8-2 MMA, 8-2 Fury) on Mother’s Day in Fury FC 90’s main event.
Earlier on in 2024, Khera posted to his now-suspended X account, seeking a call-up to the UFC in hopes of squaring off against Paddy Pimblett (22-3 MMA, 6-0 UFC). The advocacy didn’t stop there.
In the immediate aftermath of Khera’s Mother’s Day victory versus Saenz during Fury FC 90, Alex Behunin of MMA Mania tweeted that he believed Khera was ready for a spot on season eight of Contender Series.
Mansher Khera should get a call for #DWCS this season
Dude is a beast https://t.co/4rbnDdrrq7
— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) May 13, 2024
While Khera didn’t get to make the trip out to Enterprise, NV for a DWCS card late this past summer or early on this fall, he’s got a good resume to ensure himself a spot on the short list for a potential UFC deal. If he scores the lightweight championship during the Fury FC 98 main event this Sunday evening, it could be the key component to getting a contract in Dana White‘s promotion.
Devon Dixon Ready to Roll in Fury FC 98 Main Event
In the other corner, Devon Dixon has posted a mark of 3-1-1 over his last five fights. Currently, he’s on a three-fight winning streak.
Back in July, he scored a split decision victory after three rounds over Tedrick Macklin (6-2 MMA, 5-2 Fury) in Fury FC 93 60 days after it was originally booked to take place in Fury FC 90. The May 12 booking couldn’t be met due to Macklin being forced to withdraw (injury.)
Recently, Dixon was a guest on the Mom’s Basement MMA YouTube channel to discuss the upcoming bout and his opponent’s tendencies.
“I honestly don’t think it’s a matter of figuring him out,” Dixon said of Khera. “I think he’s just so good at what he does. He knows what he wants, which is to take you down. He wants you to make a mistake so he can take your back, which is what he’s really good at. He’s very opportunistic, as opposed to forcing a back take, he’s very opportunistic. He kind of waits for you to make a mistake and get up, and as you’re getting up, he wants to take your back and choke you out.”
While Mansher Khera is seeking a resume-building victory in the Fury FC 98 main event, a victory by Devon Dixon would build his own resume. Can he knock Khera from the ranks of the unbeaten?
Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction
Although both fighters in the Fury FC 98 main event are known for submissions, Khera owns a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Khera Can Work Quickly
Numerically speaking, Mansher Khera has finished six of his seven wins by submission, including his 2022 APFC bout vs. Brennon Crow. During the opening round of the contest, Khera dumped Crow right away and took top mount before landing ground and pound shots to soften his opponent up.
While Crow rose to his feet, Khera would just take him right back down and reassumed top mount, landing more shots on the mat, applying the torque to lock up an arm-triangle choke. Mansher Khera can have a field day in the Fury FC 98 main event on Sunday evening.
If he’s able to shoot for and land a takedown at the first opportunity, this fight’s a wrap.
Dixon Equally Vicious on the Ground
In the other corner, Devon Dixon has an impressive ground game in his own right. Just watch the tape of his fight against Bruce Whitehead from earlier this year.
Round two of the contest saw Whitehead tee off with strikes before Dixon put Whitehead in the clinch against the cage fence. Upon Dixon completing the takedown, he assumed top mount and moved to side control.
From there, it was one-way traffic with Dixon remaining stout on the mat, eventually securing the rear-naked choke for the finish. Once Devon Dixon finds an opening to take Mansher Khera to the mat in the Fury FC 98 main event, he’ll take it.
Final Thoughts
With Fury FC 98 being the only game in town as far as MMA goes this Sunday, you’ve got no excuses to miss this show. Get your popcorn ready, too, because the main event is going to be an entertaining 25 minutes or less of action.
