Get the scoop on the early action from UFC 230, featuring exciting up-and-coming talents such as Lando Vannata, Shane Burgos, and Montel Jackson.
Is it just me, or do the Fight Pass prelims usually feature a mix of prospects and vets on the backside of their careers? For the most part, UFC 230 features mostly youngsters. Even better, every contest features at least one competitor who is known for keeping fans on the edge of their seats. I’ll be the first to admit there isn’t anyone with name value on this portion of the card, but that isn’t going to stop me from recommending fight fans tune in to the early action. If you’ve read my previews before, I don’t always do that. I may try to find the rosier side of the bouts. I may even give reasons to tune in. That doesn’t mean I recommend watching. I am this time. You’ll thank me later.
The Fight Pass prelims begin at 6:15 PM ET/3:15 PM PT on Saturday.
Matt Frevola (6-1) vs. Lando Vannata (9-3-1), Lightweight
Vannata was the darling of the MMA world when he gave Tony Ferguson all he could handle on short notice just over two years ago. Now, he’s on the verge of losing his UFC roster spot. No one is stating he isn’t as talented as we all thought he was at that time. It’s that Vannata has struggled with the connective tissue of the fight game, often just throwing out random strikes in hopes that one of them will catch the opposition off-guard. For instance, a jab is virtually nonexistent in his arsenal. That isn’t always the case – see his highlight reel KO of John Makdessi – but Vannata appears more concerned with getting another highlight as opposed to winning his fights.
No one doubts Frevola wants to win… it’s just a matter of whether he’s taking the best approach to doing that. The Contender Series alum marches forward looking to either land heavy hooks and overhands or take his opponent to the ground and pound them out from there. He doesn’t mind eating a punch to land his own offense, though he found out how damaging that can be against a higher level of competition in his official UFC debut. There are questions about his stamina, though that hardly stops Frevola from continuing to fight.
It appeared the UFC was trying to set up Frevola for success when they pit him against Marco Polo Reyes to begin this year. After being KO’d in a minute flat, it looks like they’re already giving up on him as he’s stylistically the right type of fighter to get Vannata the type of highlight reel finish he needs to rehab his image. Frevola may get a takedown or two, but Vannata isn’t easy to keep down. Vannata via KO of RD1
Shane Burgos (10-1) vs. Kurt Holobaugh (17-5, 1 NC), Featherweight
How many of you caught Holobaugh’s amazing contest with Raoni Barcelos this past summer? Given it was on an underwhelming card, there’s a strong likelihood you missed it. I highly recommend going back to check it out. Holobaugh may have come out on the short end of the stick, but that contest did more for his stock than any of his previous UFC-affiliated showings. If Holobaugh continues to fight as aggressively as he has in recent contests, this contest is the dark horse for FOTN.
Part of Holobaugh’s recent success stems from him being large for the featherweight division. He’s taken to intense pressure with sharp boxing combos being the heart of his attack with little worry about what’s coming back at him. That lack of attention to his opponent’s offense is ultimately what led to his downfall against Barcelos. Holobaugh can wrestle and grapple a bit and may look to do so as a change of pace. When it comes down to it though, he’s a standup fighter through and through.
Burgos is very similar to Holobaugh stylistically and in stature, though he’s a bit more reliant upon the wrestling game than his opponent. Burgos is a bit slicker with his footwork and ability to avoid oncoming damage, though you’d never guess based on his fast-paced fighting style. Burgos’ counters with heavy shots that opponents have struggled to find a consistent answer for, though Calvin Kattar was able to use his length to frustrate Burgos into uncharacteristically throwing first.
I struggle to see how this won’t be a fun fight. Both Burgos and Holobaugh like to be up in their opponent’s face, ensuring fists will be flying in this affair. Though there isn’t a single major factor separating these two, I favor Burgos’ slight edge in athleticism in addition to a perceived advantage on the ground. Another question is whether these two can go the distance. I’ll wager… yes. Burgos via decision
Brian Kelleher (19-9) vs. Montel Jackson (6-1), Bantamweight
He’ll never be a star, but Kelleher has proven to be one of the better additions to the UFC roster in 2017. Displaying the anyone, anywhere, anytime attitude that so many fighters claim to live by, Kelleher racked up five cage appearances before a calendar year was completed once he touched down. The only thing that probably stopped him from stepping into the cage since this past May was having his lights put out by John Lineker and subsequent medical suspension. His willingness to slug it out with Lineker isn’t a credit to his fight IQ, but it speaks volumes to his guts. While he isn’t the most technical fighter and doesn’t excel in a single area, Kelleher will not be outworked and he has a knack for finding submissions in the most unlikely of positions.
Jackson is by far the superior athlete in this contest in addition to possessing a 9” reach advantage. It’s only natural to expect the 26-year old to look to stay on the outside and exploit his speed and power selectively. However, he’s still young in his career and has suffered some major brain cramps at inopportune times. Nonetheless, Jackson should continue to improve and showed heart in his refusal to stay down in his UFC debut against Ricky Simon despite being taken down relentlessly.
Kelleher is a far more favorable matchup for Jackson than Simon was as Kelleher will welcome an opportunity to stand and bang. However, Kelleher is also a far trickier fighter than Simon as it’s impossible to predict what Kelleher will do next. Jackson doesn’t mind going to the ground from time to time. Given that, there’s a strong likelihood Kelleher catches him in a compromising position during one of those occasions. Kelleher via submission of RD2
Adam Wieczorek (10-1) vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima (15-5-1), Heavyweight
Originally scheduled for Ruslan Magomedov to make his return to action after three years away, Wieczorek opted to step in on short notice to face de Lima. Wieczorek was more of a curiosity than a hyped prospect when he entered the organization as he doesn’t use his 6’5” frame or his 81” reach to their fullest extent, nor is he much of a wrestler. However, Wieczorek is long enough that he’s still effective enough from the outside despite his lack of refinement and he’s more than a handful in the clinch. In fact, he’s quite dangerous in close quarters. His guard shouldn’t be underestimated either.
De Lima decided he’s tired of cutting weight to 205, though his lack of size could prove to be a cause for concern as de Lima is used to being the longer fighter in the cage. Nonetheless, the Brazilian does have a major advantage in terms of power and variety within his striking arsenal. Being the shorter fighter won’t be the only concern for de Lima. He’s exhausted himself before the first round was out on several occasions and panics when taken to the ground, forgetting about his credible grappling credentials in the process.
Even though Wieczorek’s win over Arjan Bhullar gave him a bit of notoriety, few are looking at him as a serious player in the near future. The funny thing is, a win over de Lima wouldn’t do the trick either. Then again, it won’t hurt either. De Lima is exceptionally dangerous early in contests, but he’s also been picking up wins over smaller opposition. I got my doubts he’ll be able to bully Wieczorek. Wieczorek via submission of RD2