The UFC returns to Charlotte, North Carolina for the fourth time ever tonight (Sat. January 27, 2018) at the Spectrum Center with a great mixed martial arts (MMA) card on tap. In the main event of the evening top-ranked middleweight Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Derek Brunson will go one-on-one. The co-main event will feature a […]
The UFC returns to Charlotte, North Carolina for the fourth time ever tonight (Sat. January 27, 2018) at the Spectrum Center with a great mixed martial arts (MMA) card on tap.
In the main event of the evening top-ranked middleweight Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Derek Brunson will go one-on-one. The co-main event will feature a featherweight bout between Dennis Bermudez and Andre Fili. Other notable fights on the card include a lightweight bout between Bobby Green and Erik Koch on the FS1 prelims, and Niko Price vs. George Sullivan at welterweight on the UFC Fight Pass Exclusive Prelims.
You can check out the full UFC on FOX 27 fight card, information on start times, and how to watch the event here:
Main Card (FOX, 8 P.M. ET):
Middleweight: Jacare Souza vs. Derek Brunson
Featherweight: Dennis Bermudez vs. Andre Fili
Lightweight: Jordan Rinaldi vs. Gregor Gillespie
Welterweight: Drew Dober vs. Frank Camacho
FS1 Prelims (FS1, 5 P.M. ET):
Lightweight: Bobby Green vs. Erik Koch
Featherweight: Mirsad Bektic vs. Godofredo Pepey
Women’s Flyweight: Katyln Chookagian vs. Mara Romero Borella
Women’s strawweight: Randa Markos vs. Juliana Lima
The time for talking is over as UFC on FOX 27 takes place tonight (Jan. 27). Admittedly, there hasn’t been much trash talk leading up to this card but just roll with it. Tonight’s event will be the first UFC card of 2018 on big FOX. Many sa…
The time for talking is over as UFC on FOX 27 takes place tonight (Jan. 27). Admittedly, there hasn’t been much trash talk leading up to this card but just roll with it. Tonight’s event will be the first UFC card of 2018 on big FOX. Many say this card doesn’t exactly kick things off […]
Derek Brunson believes he is one more win from contending for the UFC title. Brunson takes on Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza Saturday night in the main event of UFC on FOX 27 from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte. Coming off a first round knockout …
Derek Brunson believes he is one more win from contending for the UFC title. Brunson takes on Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza Saturday night in the main event of UFC on FOX 27 from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte. Coming off a first round knockout of former UFC titleholder Lyoto Machida, Brunson (18-5) will be seeking his […]
UFC on FOX 27 is here, and it goes down tonight (Saturday, January 27, 2018) from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event will mark the promotion’s third visit to Charlotte, and first since UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi in March of 2010. The main card will air on FOX at 8 […]
UFC on FOX 27 is here, and it goes down tonight (Saturday, January 27, 2018) from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event will mark the promotion’s third visit to Charlotte, and first since UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi in March of 2010. The main card will air on FOX at 8 p.m. ET while the preliminary card will be split broadcasted on FOX at 5 p.m. ET and the promotion’s streaming service, UFC Fight Pass, at 3 p.m. ET.
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza vs. Derek Brunson in a middleweight bout will serve as the headliner while Dennis Bermudez vs. Andre Fili in a featherweight bout will serve as the co-main event. Rounding out the four bout card is Jordan Rinaldi vs. Gregor Gillespie in a lightweight bout and Drew Dober vs. Frank Camacho in a lightweight bout.
According to oddsmakers, Souza is a -150 favorite over Brunson, who is a +130 underdog. If you recall, Souza beat Brunson under the Strikeforce banner. Other odds for the main card include Fili being a +135 underdog against Bermudez, who is a -155 favorite. Here are the full betting odds:
MAIN CARD (FOX/8 p.m. ET)
Ronaldo Souza (-150) vs. Derek Brunson (+130) Dennis Bermudez (-155) vs. Andre Fili (+135) Gregor Gillespie (-600) vs. Jordan Rinaldi (+450) Drew Dober (-175) vs. Frank Camacho (+155)
PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX Sports 1/3 p.m. ET)
Bobby Green (-155) vs. Erik Koch (+135) Mirsad Bektic (-600) vs. Godofredo Pepey (+450) Katlyn Chookagian (-160) vs. Mara Romero Borella (+140) Randa Markos (-160) vs. Juliana Lima (+140) Justine Kish (-325) vs. Ji Yeon Kim (+265) Vinc Pichel (-110) vs. Joaquim Silva (-110) Niko Price (-250) vs. George Sullivan (+210) Austin Arnett (N/A) vs. Cory Sandhagen (N/A)
As far as Derek Brunson is concerned, his first bout with Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza never took place. Back in Aug. 2012, Brunson took on Souza in the co-main event of a Strikeforce card in San Diego. Souza knocked out Brunson in 41 seconds. &#…
As far as Derek Brunson is concerned, his first bout with Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza never took place. Back in Aug. 2012, Brunson took on Souza in the co-main event of a Strikeforce card in San Diego. Souza knocked out Brunson in 41 seconds. “The Law” has made significant improvements since the loss and has only […]
The UFC is gearing up to make its return to Charlotte, North Carolina, and although it may not be the most eye-popping card, UFC on FOX 27 tomorrow night (Sat., Jan. 27, 2018) from the Spectrum Center does have some intriguing fights to watch. In the main event, former Strikeforce champion and No. 3-ranked middleweight […]
The UFC is gearing up to make its return to Charlotte, North Carolina, and although it may not be the most eye-popping card, UFC on FOX 27 tomorrow night (Sat., Jan. 27, 2018) from the Spectrum Center does have some intriguing fights to watch.
In the main event, former Strikeforce champion and No. 3-ranked middleweight contender Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza will make his return to action in a rematch against No. 8-ranked Derek Brunson.
The co-main event, meanwhile, will play host to a featherweight scrap between Dennis Bermudez and Andre Fili.
Also on the main card, Charlotte’s own Jordan Rinaldi will do battle with Long Island’s Gregor Gillespie in a lightweight tilt.
Without further ado, let’s take a deeper look into the card with our UFC on FOX 27 preview, breakdown, and analysis:
Ronaldo Souza vs. Derek Brunson
The first time these two met was at a Strikeforce event in 2012 where Souza scored a first-round knockout victory over Brunson. Both men are completely different fighters now, but the stakes are still high, as the winner will land one step closer towards earning a UFC title shot.
At 38 years old, “Jacare” may be nearing the tail end of his career, but he remains one of the very best 185-pounders in the world. Also, he ranks as one of the best submission artists the sport has ever seen, as he holds black belts in both Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Judo while racking up 17 career victories by way of submission.
In terms of striking, Souza has consistently improved. He has a powerful right hand and has appeared to put more of a focus on his striking since relocation from Brazil to Florida.
The last time we saw “Jacare” compete, he suffered a brutal knockout loss to reigning champion Robert Whittaker, but he’s won seven of his nine UFC bouts to date.
Brunson, on the other hand, is currently riding a two-fight winning streak after suffering losses to Anderson Silva and Whittaker.
The North Carolina native is extremely explosive and athletic and he comes from a wrestling background, as he was a three-time NCAA Division II All-American.
In recent years, however, Brunson has rounded out his game, with many improvements being seen in his striking game. Fighting out of a southpaw stance, Brunson moves well and uses fantastic speed to keep his opponents guessing. He’s also incredibly powerful, which can be seen in his 10 career knockout victories.
On the ground, Brunson owns four submission victories and he’s never been submitted, but I’d argue that he’s far from the level that “Jacare” is when it comes to grappling.
Ultimately, Souza has shown in recent fights that he can be hit. If Brunson mixes it up and catches the Brazilian off guard, I could see him ending the fight.
However, I simply feel as if “Jacare” is the more superior fighter. It may difficult to take Brunson down, but I see Souza remaining patient on the feet before landing a takedown and finishing the fight on the canvas.
Prediction: Ronald Souza def. Derek Brunson via third-round submission
