UFC Fight Night 135 - Nebraska Breakdown & Predictions
AT A GLANCE
When is UFC Fight Night 135? Sunday 26th August, 2018 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 135? Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, Nebraska
What channel is UFC Fight Night 135 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 135? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
Justin Gaethje vs James Vick
LAST EIGHT FIGHTS
THE BREAKDOWN
As you can see, they are experiencing contrasting form as Gaethje has struggled to find the dominance that made him the World Series of Fighting champion. Vick on the other hand has put his sole career loss firmly behind him and now has the big name fight he has been requesting for some time.
These two have exchanged heated words in the build up which, along with their fighting styles, should provide an absolute spectacle. They are terrific grapplers, especially Gaethje who is a NCAA Division 1 wrestler but we expect both contenders to keep the fight standing and slug it out in search of the big knockout.
Vick is the more composed and accurate striker whereas Gaethje is more powerful and explosive but has been too reckless. As we have seen in his three UFC wars, it is exciting for the fans but using your head as your only defence is the best way to take years off your fighting career and Vick is looking to expose that.
If Gaethje can inflict his devastating leg kicks with takedowns he can easily find a route to victory but if he abandons a game plan he will be looking at three losses in a row.
Winner: Gaethje via KO/TKO
Michael Johnson vs Andre Fili
LAST EIGHT FIGHTS
THE BREAKDOWN
Johnson is experiencing the worst form of his career losing five out of his last six fights but that is the price you pay for fighting among best in the world for as long as he has. Fili has also struggled in the top flight but is hoping to string together three wins in a row for the first time since joining the UFC.
These guys are extremely well-rounded but will prefer to stand and trade. Fili will not have the reach advantage he is used to against the former lightweight and Johnson will look to utilise his speed and power to set up the knockout blow.
Although Johnson is struggling to pick up a win, you just have to look at the opponents he has succumbed to. They are all beasts and it was only two years ago he dispatched Poirier who is now waiting at the front of the queue for a lightweight title shot.
A confident Johnson will have too much class to keep his losing streak going.
Prediction: Johnson via Decision
Cortney Casey vs Angela Hill
LAST EIGHT FIGHTS
THE BREAKDOWN
Hill has been desperate to get back in the cage since her win over Moroz and is even more desperate to get back-to-back wins for the first time in the UFC. Meanwhile, Casey is coming off two very hard-fought and narrow decision losses which just shows how stacked the strawweight division has become. Only the best fighters in the division are achieving winning streaks and that is exactly what these ladies have to do to break the top ten.
Although Casey has the edge when it comes to grappling and Hill is the better striker, this fight is likely to be a gritty and intense stand-up battle especially as they are both prone to absorbing shots. They will both back their skills to pick up the win and as they do not possess that one-punch knockout power – this is likely to end in a decision.
If Casey decides to stand for the duration of the fight, she may become unstuck with Hill’s technique so as long as she can mix up her striking with grappling she can grind out an important and tough win.
Prediction: Casey via Decision
Jake Ellenberger vs Bryan Barberena
LAST EIGHT FIGHTS
THE BREAKDOWN
The veteran Ellenberger fights in his home state for the first time since 2012 in what is likely to be his retirement fight. ‘The Juggernaut’ has had a storied career but was never able to contend for the title but is desperate to win his 21st UFC fight and go out with a bang.
We know how explosive Ellenberger is but ‘Bam Bam’ will oblige in exchanging leather and although he does not possess the power of Ellenberger, he has proven how destructive his hands are with nine knockouts from his 13 wins.
Considering Ellenberger has a staggering 19 knockouts himself, we can predict how this fight will end. Many will back the veteran on his home patch but having retirement at the back of your mind does not bode well when fighting someone like Barberena.
Prediction: Barberena via KO/TKO
Eryk Anders vs Tim Williams
LAST EIGHT FIGHTS
THE BREAKDOWN
Anders is coming off his sole career loss which was a very close decision to the Brazilian legend, Lyoto Machida. The decision could have gone either way so it will be interesting to see how he responds. Williams is also coming off a loss which was his UFC debut to Piechota who was unbeaten at the time.
So, both men will arrive in Nebraska with something to prove and with a motivation to avenge their losses and they will attempt to do so with different styles. Williams is a terrific grappler with nine submission wins to back up his credentials so he will look to get his hands on Anders as soon as possible. Anders on the other hand will rely on his raw athleticism and power to find the chin and put Williams to sleep.
Prediction: Anders via KO/TKO
Andrew Sanchez vs Markus Perez
LAST EIGHT FIGHTS
THE BREAKDOWN
Sanchez has stalled since winning The Ultimate Fighter as a light heavyweight and has suffered two devastating knockouts in his last two fights. He is desperate to rejuvenate the form that earned him a UFC contract but he has a tough assignment in Perez.
Perez blasted onto the UFC scene unbeaten in his nine fights and bounced back from his debut loss with a brilliant performance against Bochnovic. He knows a good win against Sanchez will solidify his place on the roster and set up a bigger name in his next fight.
Fighting as a middleweight, Sanchez is big for the division and they both possess knockout power but as they are very well-rounded, this fight really could end anywhere. With two losses in a row, Sanchez may try and play it safe by grinding out a victory but Perez is dangerous everywhere.
Prediction: Sanchez via Decision