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UFC 329 - Fights Going Under the Radar
With Conor McGregor headlining UFC 329, naturally other fights are going under the radar. We take a look at those fights!
Naturally, Conor McGregor vs Max Holloway is stealing a number of headlines ahead of UFC 329, however, there are plenty of fights that are going under the radar. Even the epic co-main event in the lightweight division between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint Denis isn't grabbing as many column inches as we'd expect.
We ignore the main event and take a look at some of the fight that are going under the radar at UFC 329.
Fights Going Under the Radar at UFC 329
Cory Sandhagen vs Mario Bautista
Two of the most highly regarded bantamweights on the planet, Cory Sandhagen and Mario Bautista are set to go to war in Las Vegas this weekend. Sandhagen is arguably one of the greatest bantamweights never to win the title and has been the nearly man on a number of occasions. He's only lost to the best of the best, lost two title eliminators and was vastly outclassed in his lone title shot against Merab Dvashvilli at UFC 320.
Mario Bautista was on a tear, winning eight straight before running into Umar Nurmagomedov. He rebounded last time out with a dominant win over Vinicius Oliveira and stole the hype that the Brazilian had built up.
The two men met previously in 2019, with Sandhagen getting a first round armbar finish. It's worth noting that both men have considerably improved since that initial meeting and this one is expected to be far more high level.
Brandon Royval vs Lone'er Kavanagh
The flyweight division is hot at the moment with Joshua Van standing supreme at the top of the mountain. Alexandre Pantoja is seemingly next after an injury lead him to losing the title and he's almost back to fitness. Manel Kape is highly ranked, on a four-fight finishing run and looking to get a title shot soon. At UFC 329, however, it will be former title challenger, Brandon Royval, who will be looking to snap a two-fight losing run when he meets the up and coming Lone'er Kavanagh.
Royval lost in an epic, fight of the night winning effort against Joshua Van in June of last year before being finished by Kape in December. We know what Royval brings. He has great boxing, is as gritty as they come and is willing to stand in the pocket and trade.
Kavanagh had an opportunity and gabbed it with both hands. Coming off a knockout loss to Charles Johnson, the Brit took on Brandon Moreno at short notice in his first ever main event. Not only this, but he did so in enemy territory in Mexico City. He went in there and dominated the former champion. Few believed that Kavanagh could win but with scores of 49–46, 48–47 and 48–47, he left no doubt.
With a win, Kavanagh could position himself in the title picture, despite having just four UFC fights so far.
Robert Whittaker vs Nikita Krylov
The last time that Robert Whittaker didn't compete on a main card was 2013, but he will be headlining the prelims at UFC 329 against the always dangerous, Nikita Krylov. The former welterweight, turned middleweight champion will be making his light heavyweight debut after suffering back to back losses at 185lbs.
It won't be a gentle introduction to the 205lbs division, however, as he takes on Krylov. Whittaker described Krylov as a 'good guy to test the waters' against. With that being said, The Miner has legitimate power, notching 13 knockouts, including one in his last outing. He's recorded a total of 29 finishes across his 31 wins and impressively has only lost via decision twice.
Whittaker isn't known for his knockout power, even down at middleweight. Of his last eight wins, seven have gone the full distance. It'll be an uphill battle for Whittaker, however, if he can utilise his superior speed, he could become ranked at light heavyweight.
Gable Steveson vs Elisha Ellison
After being dropped from the main card, highly regarded heavyweight prospect, Gable Steveson will be looking to make a statement and show Dana White that he was wrong to drop him.
Steveson's debut is highly anticiapted due to his Olympic gold medal in wrestling, legitimate power and affiliation with Jon Jones. With that being said, at 3-0, he still has plenty to learn in MMA.
Steveson will take on Elisha Ellison, a man with a record of 5-2. With that being said, he lost his last fight, his UFC debut, via knockout in just 1:55. He has far more MMA experience than Steveson, however, Steveson is more experienced in combat sports as a whole, which should provide an interesting match-up for as long as it lasts.
