UFC Vegas 8 - Full Card Breakdown & Predictions
When is UFC Vegas 8? Saturday 29th August, 2020 - 23:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Vegas 8? APEX Facility, Las Vegas, Nevada (US)
What channel is UFC Vegas 8? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Vegas 8? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
Anthony Smith vs Aleksandar Rakic
Anthony Smith is back from the dead after receiving a hellacious beatdown from Glover Teixeira back in May. This came off a brilliant submission win over Alexander Gustafsson and unsurprisingly went into the Teixeira fight as the favourite. He started well but after the second round the Brazilian came into his own and pummelled Smith to secure the TKO in the fifth round.
Rakic is also coming off a loss but it was a split decision that could have easily gone his way. The beast athlete fired his way to 12 straight wins after losing his first pro fight which includes four UFC wins. Coming off one of the most devastating head kick knockouts ever over Jimi Manuwa, he was just pipped over the line by Volkan Oezdemir but the UFC have still rewarded Rakic with the top contender.
PREDICTION
The worst preparation for fighting Rakic is getting your chin weathered for three rounds. Rakic is ferociously explosive and if he connects clean, it will be lights out despite Smith’s durability.
Smith has all the experience but interestingly this is three rounds instead of five which will suit Rakic. Instead of dragging the fight into the championship rounds with his grappling, Smith will be forced to stand more where Rakic will be looking offload leg kicks and find openings for the knockout blow.
The stand-up battle will be fascinating and Smith has proven he is a threat until the bell. If he can make this a gritty war, he can use his experience to wear Rakic down and even pull off a late submission.
However, we have not seen the best out of Rakic yet as he still has so much potential to fill. If this was five rounds, Smith may have the edge, but this three-round main event could easily create Rakic’s best performance to date with his leg kicks and power making the difference.
Winner: Rakic via KO/TKO
Value Bet: Smith via Submission
Robbie Lawler vs Neil Magny
One of the most consistently entertaining fighters to grace the UFC steps in for Geoff Neal to take on Neil Magny. Robbie Lawler comes into this fight losing three on the bounce, but it has not dented his stock. After losing his title Tyron Woodley back in 2016, he scraped a decision over Donald Cerrone but succumbed to Rafael dos Anjos, Ben Askren and is coming off the dominant beatdown from Colby Covington.
2020 is turning into the year Magny needed. After getting starched by Santiago Ponzinnibio back in 2018, he failed a drugs test and sat out until March this year. A frustrating time for the UFC vet but he showed no signs of rust in getting past Li Jingliang and Rocco Martin who are a stern test for anyone in the division.
PREDICTION
As usual, Magny boasts the height and reach advantage with six inches of arm reach over Lawler. If this was Magny’s first fight back since the layoff, you would not give him much chance but earning unanimous decisions and outworking Jingliang and Martin suggest he needs to be finished.
This does not exactly change Lawler’s game plan who will aggressively hunt the knockout. Magny will try and slow him down with leg kicks and mix in takedowns like Covington did but he will need to hold the same pace which will be easier over three rounds instead of five.
Winner: Magny via Decision
Alexa Grasso vs Ji Yeon Kim
All three of Alexa Grasso’s losses have come in the UFC but she has bounced back every time. After winning her debut she lost a decision to Felice Herrig but replied with a split decision over vet Randa Markos. As a reward she was handed the scariest strawweight on the roster, Tatiana Suarez who submitted her rather easily but bounced back against Karolina Kowalkiewicz looking exceptional on the feet. She then lost to the former champion Carla Esparza, but it was a lot closer than the scorecards suggested. Grasso was scheduled to fight Claudia Gadelha at UFC 246, but the fight was scrapped after uncharacteristically missing weight by 5.5 pounds forcing a move up to flyweight.
Ji Yeon Kim is 3-1 as a flyweight in the UFC but has missed weight in her last two outings. After losing her UFC debut against Lucie Pudilova, she scraped past Justine Kish and Melinda Fabian in split decisions. She was then outpointed by Antonina Shevchenko but is coming off an impressive win and the second knockout of her career against Nadia Kassem.
PREDICTION
Kim is the bigger fighter and will boast a six-inch reach advantage but without the extra weight to cut, I will be interesting to see how Grasso fares.
Kim is a very accomplished martial artist with a background in Hapkido, but Grasso has looked the better mixed martial artist. She evolves with every fight and has become extremely well-rounded and fought tougher competition which is priceless experience.
Over three rounds, Grasso is expected conduct the tempo keeping the fight on the feet with her pace and output sealing a decision at least.
Winner: Grasso via Decision
Ricardo Lamas vs Bill Algeo
UFC vet Ricardo Lamas was seemingly the only fighter to step up and fight Ryan Hall but unfortunately the jiu-jitsu ace had to pull out. This will be Lamas’ 17th UFC fight but he has only fought once since November 2018 and lost three of his last four. After losses to Josh Emmett and Mirsad Bektic, Lamas proved he is still a beast with a TKO over Darren Elkins but got ruthlessly slept by Calvin Kattar.
The man stepping up on late notice is Bill Algeo making his debut. After a four-fight win streak under the Ring of Combat banner, he earnt a spot on Dana White’s Contender Series but was outclassed by Brendan Loughnane. However, the UFC kept him on their radar especially after beating Tim Dooling for a second time just a couple weeks ago for the Cage Fury Fighting Championships.
PREDICTION
Lamas is understandably the favourite, but it is always dangerous fighting a newcomer who has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Algeo’s strengths lie in his grappling but Lamas is a top tier wrestler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt so he should decide where the fight takes place and that will be on the feet.
Algeo is a good striker who mixes in leg and head kicks well, but he may need a mistake from Lamas to get the upset. Lamas is expected to call upon his experience to control the exchanges and if he is feeling confident, we could see a vintage knockout.
Winner: Lamas via KO/TKO
Value Bet: Algeo via KO/TKO
Magomed Ankalaev vs Ion Cutelaba
This scheduling is third time lucky for Magomed Ankalaev and Ion Cutelaba after their controversial scrap back at UFC Fight Night 169. Ankalaev pulled out of UFC 249 due to travel restrictions related to COVID-19 and then Cutelaba ended up testing positive prior to UFC 252 but now hopefully they get to settle the score.
Ankalaev walked away with the first round TKO win but it was a very controversial stoppage. They quickly engaged and Cutelaba played possum, pretending to be hurt to lure Ankalaev in. However, referee Kevin MacDonald fell for Cutelaba’s acting and stepped in to stop the fight feeling he was preventing the Moldovian from sustaining more damage. It was a shame which has been compounded by the rescheduling attempts so let’s hope they make it to the octagon as it is guaranteed fireworks.
PREDICTION
The first fight started as expected with both men wasting no time in pursuing the knockout. Although it ruined the fight, Cutelaba playing possum was a plan to force the brawl where he thought he could come out on top. Considering Ankalaev’s striking credentials this was not a bad idea.
Cutelaba obviously will not risk the same mistake this time but he is expected to get the fight in a phone booth i.e close the distance and throw heavy leather in the pocket. However, the problem is that Ankalaev is a cool, calm and calculated killer who can attack from various angles and if Cutelaba loiters in the pocket for too long, the Russian will be waiting to explode with that left kick.
Ankalaev should also be more patient this time around but that does not mean he is safe from Cutelaba. If Cutelaba can come in with a different strategy and even shoot in for takedowns in between throwing his powerful combinations, his monster overhand right has more chance of landing.
Cutelaba is always worth a bet when his opponent is happy to stand but Ankalaev’s sambo and wrestling should allow him to dictate where the fight goes countering Cutelaba’s takedowns and eventually finding the knockout.
Winner: Ankalaev via KO/TKO
Maki Pitolo vs Impa Kasanganay
Eager to get some UFC experience in the bag, Maki Pitolo steps out for his third fight in three months. After losing his debut to Callan Potter he lived up to his reputation in finishing Charles Byrd and his MMA career. However, he is coming off a loss three weeks ago getting caught in Darren Stewart’s guillotine.
It’s Impa Kasanganay’s turn to make his UFC debut which comes after two successful appearances on Dana White’s Contender Series. They were both unanimous decisions firstly, against Kailan Hill a year ago and Anthony Adams just over two weeks ago.
PREDICTION
Although Pitolo has had mixed fortunes recently, his experience fighting in these conditions at the APEX with all the COVID-19 protocols has to play in his favour. The pressure is on Kasanganay to make a statement on his UFC debut while protecting his unbeaten record.
Kasanganay is one hell of an athlete and hits hard despite no knockouts in his win column. He is also a beast of a grappler and succeeded in all his takedown attempts in his last two fights which could be plan A to avoid Pitolo’s coconut bombs.
Winner: Kasanganay via Decision
Alessio Di Chirico vs Zak Cummings
One of Italy’s finest makes his first appearance of 2020, but ‘Manzo’ has the pressure of preventing a three-fight losing streak. 2019 left a sour taste in Alessio Di Chirico’s mouth as he lost a dubious decision to Kevin Holland and fell on the wrong side of another decision to Makhmud Muradov in a back-and-fourth war. Di Chirico put on a great show but now just wants a win now and build on his performances against Oluwale Bamgbose and Julian Marquez.
Zak Cummings also makes his first outing of the year and is coming off a loss. He moved back up to middleweight after a loss to Michel Prazeres and immediately got back in the win column with a unanimous decision over Trevor Smith and the extra burger clearly helps as he went on to submit Trevin Giles handing him the first loss of his career. However, he then met the machine Omari Akhmedov losing a decision.
PREDICTION
Both men are true mixed martial artists with all the tools, and we can expect a mixture of striking and grappling in this one. Cummings will prefer to tie Di Chirico up and preferably get to business on the mat and although Di Chirico has more takedowns, he is more likely to threaten the takedown to create openings to find Cummings chin.
This is destined to be a close fight and Cummings durability will be crucial against Di Chirico’s power. The longer the fight stays on the feet the more you have to favour the Italian, but this fight could take place anywhere and go either way.
Winner: Di Chirico via Decision
Alex Caceres vs Austin Springer
Unfortunately, Giga Chikadze has been struck down by COVID-19 which also gutting as his match-up with Alex Caceres was one of the most intriguing fights on the card. Caceres was then scheduled to fight Kevin Croom but he has now withdrawn opening the door for Austin Springer to make his debut. Far from ideal preparations for Caceres but he will still try and put on a show for his 23rd UFC fight and has a spring back in his step after outpointing Steven Peterson and derailing prospect Chase Hooper with another decision.
Taking the fight on just a few days’ notice is Austin Springer snapping up the opportunity for a UFC debut. He comes in with a promising record of 11-3 coming off two wins although they were two years ago. He knocked out Troy Berglund and his last win was a submission over Chikadze on Dana Whte's Contender Series.
PREDICTION
Just a couple days to prepare, not fighting in two years and making your UFC debut against Caceres is a tall order but there is no pressure on him which will make him dangerous. Springer has a wrestling base is also a dangerous striker but Caceres is a seasoned pro on the feet, and he is expected to dominate the exchanges by controlling the range and avoiding the takedown.
Winner: Caceres via Decision
Sean Brady vs Christian Aguilera
This card kicks off in style with Sean Brady taking on Christian Aguiilera. Brady makes his third UFC appearance still protecting his unbeaten record after very impressive unanimous decisions over Court McGee and Ismail Naurdiev.
Aguilera made a slightly louder impression during his UFC debut back in June. He arrived to the UFC 13-6 off the back of wins over Krzysztof Kulak and Glaucio Elizario and made a huge statement in finishing Anthony Ivy in under a minute.
PREDICTION
This is a very intriguing fight on paper. They are both aggressive powerhouses, especially Aguilera who has an absolute missile of a right hand. Brady can also crack but he has as unbeaten record for a reason and will not be reckless.
Aguilera has every chance of denting that record with a knockout, but Brady is expected to avoid the power by sticking his wrestling and getting the job done on the floor earning a decision but piling on damage with ground-and-pound.
Winner: Brady via Decision
Value Bet: Aguilera via KO/TKO
Polyana Viana vs Emily Whitmire
Polyana Viana could be fighting to save her UFC career after losing three on the trot. She was 10-1 after her UFC debut, brilliantly submitting Maia Stevenson but then lost close decisions to JJ Aldrich and Hannah Cifers which sparked this move up to flyweight. Unfortunately, she did not have any more luck as she got caught in a Veronica Macedo armbar.
Emily Whitmire has also floated between divisions. Her debut was at flyweight but was submitted by Gillian Robertson but picked up a couple wins down at strawweight against Jamie Moyle and Aleksandra Albu. She then came up against the now, top contender, Amanda Ribas who was just a gap too far in terms of talent succumbing to another submission.
PREDICTION
At flyweight we should see the best versions of Viana and Whitmire. They will be more energised, but a knockout is unlikely. If Viana can utilise her four-inch reach advantage, she can win the stand-up battle, but her defence has to be on point as she tends to eat a lot of shots.
They are likely to feel each other out on the feet to begin with but Viana has the advantage on the ground so she may try and set up a takedown with strikes and the clinch to find the seventh submission of her career.
Winner: Viana via Submission
Mallory Martin vs Hannah Cifers
Mallory Martin returns to the octagon after her unsuccessful debut. Unfortunately for her, she was handed the strangling assassin Virna Jandiroba and suffered the same fate as most of the Brazilian’s victims. That broke a five-fight winning streak and now wants to get back on track but has a completely different match-up.
Hannah Cifers is now 2-4 in the UFC, but she has been fed to the lions. She lost her debut to a rabid Maycee Barber, responded well with two decision wins over Polyana Viana and Jodie Esquibel but is now on a three-fight skid. She was finished by a resurgent Angela Hill, submitted by the best female jiu-jitsu practitioner in the UFC and is coming off another submission but stepped up to flyweight to take on the bigger, rangier prodigy Mariya Agapova.
PREDICTION
This is another tough fight for Cifers. She is a brute on the feet and tough as nails, but she is coming up against another fighter who will have the weight and size advantage. Martin will be happy charge head-on into Cifers’ strengths and duke it out on the feet with her Muay Thai background but she also has her grappling to call upon where she can use her extra weight to keep Cifers down and unleash ground-and-pound but Cifers’ toughness should drag this to the bell either way.