UFC Fight Island 8 - Full Card Breakdown & Predictions
When is UFC Fight Island 8? Wednesday 20th January, 2021 - 15:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Island 8? Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi (UAE)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Island 8? No tickets are available as this event will take place with a limited number of spectators
What channel is UFC Fight Island 8 on? BT Sport 3
Where can I stream UFC Fight Island 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!
MICHAEL CHIESA VS NEIL MAGNY
Michael Chiesa (17-4) is finally hitting his prime right now after moving up to his more natural weight class at welterweight. He went 7-4 in the UFC at lightweight but struggled with the cut which played a part in his last two submission losses to Kevin Lee and Anthony Pettis. This forced him to 170 lbs where he kicked off his campaign with a submission over Carlos Condit, a unanimous decision over Diego Sanchez and by far his biggest win to date, a unanimous decision over Rafael dos Anjos back in January.
He takes on Neil Magny (24-7) who is also in his prime. He really slipped down the pecking order a couple years ago after getting starched by Santiago Ponzinibbio and to make things worse, he failed a drugs test. However, he returned after serving his ban last year and made up for lost time with three huge wins. He earnt unanimous decisions against Li Jingliang, Rocco Martin and most recently Robbie Lawler in August.
PREDICTION
Magny’s resumé is more impressive although Chiesa dominated dos Anjos with his wrestling whereas Magny got mauled by the Brazilian. However, we know MMA maths does not add up and both fighters are improving with every fight.
Magny is the more well-rounded fighter as Chiesa usually sticks to his bread and butter which is his grappling. He is even big for welterweight but with the longest reach in the division, Magny will boast a familiar five-inch advantage.
They are not natural finishers so their gas tank’s will be crucial in earning the decision. They have both only been scheduled for five rounds once where Chiesa got submitted by Lee in the first round and Magny got knocked out by Ponzinibbio in the fourth. However, they both have great cardio and will be scrapping right up until the bell.
Magny has a clear advantage on the feet so the outcome will depend on his takedown defence which is 59%. Chiesa is going to shoot in for the takedown at the first opportunity and if he finds early success, he will hunt a submission while they are still dry.
If Magny can fend of the takedown/submission attempts for the first two rounds, the fight is his. Chiesa will expend a lot of energy and when he starts to tire, Magny will be able to keep the fight on the feet where he will pick him apart.
There will be a lot of clinch work here where Magny’s reach will aid him and he should be able to defend enough takedowns and create enough space to sway the judges with his effective damage on the feet.
Prediction: Magny via Decision
WARLLEY ALVES VS MOUNIR LAZZEZ
Warlley Alves (13-4) still gets to fight on Fight Island after Christian Aguilera dropped out with injury. Great news for Alves as he did not get to fight at all last year. He fought twice in 2019 where he folded Sergio Moraes like laundry but then lost to Randy Brown in November getting submitted in the second round.
Mounir Lazzez (10-1) steps up for his second fight on Fight Island. He made his long-awaited debut taking on the powerhouse Abdul Razak Alhassan. He was the underdog, but he put on an incredible performance, completely outclassing the knockout artist on the feet to earn a unanimous decision.
PREDICTION
Lazzez’s debut performance made everyone wonder why we have not seen him in the UFC sooner and he has another great opportunity to make a name for himself here.
We have not seen much of Alves recently and his last bouts have been inconsistent. He will have to bring the best version of himself and he will have to close the distance to nullify the threats of Lazzez.
If Alves struggles to counter Lazzez and get his hands on him, he will have a rough night. Lazzez lives up to his nickname as ‘The Sniper’, striking from distance with power and accuracy. He will have a four-inch reach advantage over Alves which he will accentuate with his technique.
Alves will be dangerous in the first round but if Lazzez can control the distance, he can wait for the Brazilian to tire and chop him down to set up a late finish.
Prediction: Lazzez via KO/TKO
IKE VILLANUEVA VS VINICIUS MOREIRA
Ike Villanueva (17-11) has struggled on his promotion from the Fury Fighting Championship to the UFC. He was coming off four straight knockouts for the organisation including a first-round finish over Rashad Coulter. However, he got a taste of his own medicine getting knocked out by Chase Sherman and then again by Jordan Wright down at light heavyweight.
Suffering even worse form is Vinicius Moreira (9-4) who is without a win since August 2018. That was on the Contender Series where Moreira showcased his elite jiu-jitsu wrapping John Allan Arte up in a triangle choke - his fifth submission in a row.
PREDICTION
We are not quite sure why this fight is so high up the card, but it is good matchmaking and will be a fun scrap. It is striker vs grappler and the loser is likely to receive their marching orders.
Villanueva will hunt the knockout and Moreira will hunt the takedown to cinch up a submission. Their weaknesses are each other’s strengths so this is very unlikely to go to the bell as if Villanueva connects with the chin, it’s lights out and if Moreira get the fight to the ground Villanueva will be tapping. We are going for a Villanueva knockout but a Moreira submission is also likely.
Prediction: Villanueva via KO/TKO
ROXANNE MODAFFERI VS VIVIANE ARAUJO
Roxanne Modafferi (25-17) is coming off a brilliant performance and the 16th decision win of her career but her consecutive win/lose record in the UFC may be a bad omen. Her loss before Lee was to Lauren Murphy but memorably handed Maycee Barber her first career loss prior and is now desperate to break the pattern.
Viviane Araujo (9-2) is also coming off a brilliant unanimous decision win in September last year. She was coming off her first loss in five which was a unanimous decision to Jessica Eye, but she bounced back with a win over Montana De La Rosa.
PREDICTION
We know what to expect from Modafferi who is very tough but has a limited offence. Her stand-up is weak, but she is a good grappler with dangerous jiu-jitsu. What is interesting here is that Araujo is also a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu so we could see a high-level tussle on the mat or see them forced into a striking battle.
The grappling exchanges will be interesting unless Modafferi just looks to utilise her weight and size advantage to maintain top position but over the course of the fight their grappling skills should cancel each other out which will favour Araujo. She is a lot more comfortable on the feet and should seal a decision with her output.
Prediction: Araujo via Decision
MATT SCHNELL VS TYSON NAM
Matt Schnell (14-5) has not fought in over a year which was a devastating loss to Alexandre Pantoja. They clashed in South Korea back in December 2019 and Schnell was riding an impressive four-fight win streak at the time including two submissions over Louis Smolka and Jordan Espinosa but he engaged in a brawl and was the first man to fall.
Tyson Nam (20-11-1) has got his tough UFC start behind him after two brilliant wins. He took on top flyweights Sergio Pettis and Kai Kara-France and fell to unanimous decisions. However, he returned four months after his loss to Kara-France and sparked Zarrukh Adashev out cold in the first round and followed it up with another knockout over Jerome Rivera in September.
PREDICTION
This is a great stylistic match-up on paper. Schnell is the superior grappler and Nam is the superior striker, but they are comfortable everywhere and will commit to a furious pace from the bell.
Schnell has got to try and get this fight to the floor and look for a submission but his willingness to stand and trade while eating shots could be his undoing. Nam is an assassin on the feet and with three knockout losses on Schnell’s record, Nam will smell blood as soon as they exchange.
Prediction: Nam via KO/TKO
LERONE MURPHY VS DOUGLAS SILVA DE ANDRADE
Third UFC fight and third appearance on Fight Island for Lerone Murphy (9-0-1). He arrived to the UFC protecting his perfect 8-0 record and flew to Fight Island for a tough debut on short notice. He took on crowd favourite and Khabib Nurmagomedov’s training partner Zubaira Tuhugov and fought to a valiant draw. He was then given another tough fight in the form of the Brazilian prospect Ricardo Ramos, but the Brit notched the biggest win of his career knocking him out in the first round.
The UFC must think highly of Murphy as they have handed him yet another beast. Douglas Silva de Andrade (26-3(2)) has only fought once in two years which he stepped up to featherweight to earn a unanimous decision over Renan Barao. That made it 2-2 in the UFC, but he fought Rob Font (submission loss), Marlon Vera (decision win) and the current champion Petr Yan (TKO loss) which there is no shame in.
PREDICTION
There is no doubting Silva de Andrade’s talent, but his inactivity is a worry especially as Murphy has fought on Fight Island twice already going through all of the Covid-19 protocols.
Either way this should be an intense stand-up battle and a thrilling scrap. We are backing Murphy to get the job done on the feet. He is an excellent striker and will have the size and power advantage over the Brazilian. Silva de Andrade is also not getting any younger whereas Murphy is only just approaching his prime and we expect him to overwhelm on the feet and even secure a late knockout finish.
Prediction: Murphy via KO/TKO
OMARI AKHMEDOV VS TOM BREESE
Omari Akhmedov (20-5-1) is coming off his first loss in seven fights. After starring in Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos’ highlight reel back in 2016, Akhmedov grinded out five impressive decisions against legitimate middleweights as well as battling to a draw with the now top contender Marvin Vettori. However, he crossed paths with former champion Chris Weidman who beat Akhmedov at his own game to claim his second win in seven.
Injuries have done everything they can to rob Tom Breese (12-2) of a career, but he managed to get two fights in last year and is back for another on Fight Island which is a great sign. He returned after nearly two years out to fight Brendan Allen which was a tough ask and ended up getting finished in the first round to suffer the second loss of his career. However, he got that winning feeling back when he welcomed newcomer KB Bhullar to the octagon in October and pulled off a vintage first-round finish of his own.
PREDICTION
This will be a very different fight to Akhmedov’s grappling contest with Weidman. The Russian will be confident in standing with Breese knowing he has his wrestling to call upon. However, Breese is very well-rounded. He is a weapon on the feet with dangerous jiu-jitsu, but he also has good takedown defence.
The striking will be a fascinating contest. Breese is taller than Akhmedov but they have the same reach. They will both have to mix up their attacks with leg kicks and feints as they both have solid defence.
If the fight stays on the feet we would back Breese but if Akhmedov mixes things up and gets some takedowns he can clinch a decision. If Breese’s takedown defence is on point he can test Akhmedov’s cardio and finish stronger but this is a tough fight for him.
Prediction: Akhmedov via Decision
RICKY SIMON VS GAETANO PIRRELLO
Covid-19 was desperate for Ricky Simon (16-3) and Brian Kelleher not to fight striking them both down cancelling two fights. Fortunately, Simon is healthy and ready to bang hoping to continue where he left off in dominating Ray Borg back in May. One judge somehow gave the fight to Borg forcing a split decision but either way it came with great relief coming off two losses, firstly a TKO to Urijah Faber and a unanimous decision to Rob Font.
Gaetano Pirrello (15-5-1) is Simon’s new dance partner and the Belgium native makes his UFC debut. Pirrello is coming off two TKO wins for European Beatdown, but those fights were a year apart in 2018 and 2019. Pirrello has pedigree but he has not been active and not beaten anyone of note.
PREDICTION
Simon is understandably the heavy favourite welcoming the newcomer on short notice. Pirrello’s route to victory is forcing this fight into a brawl. He is a very aggressive and powerful striker who is dangerous at close range and if he can tempt Simon into some scrappy exchanges, he can cause havoc with his devastating elbows.
However, Simon has too much experience to take the bait. He has the technique to win the fight on the feet, but his wrestling is on a different level and he will completely ragdoll Pirrello if he decides to.
Prediction: Simon via Submission
SU MUDAERJI VS ZARRUKH ADASHEV
Su Mudaerji (13-4) is coming off a flawless performance back in November where he racked up the 11th knockout of his career when he quickly dusted Malcolm Gordon in the first round. That made it two in a row after earning a unanimous decision over Andre Soukhamthath at bantamweight which which was a great response to losing two in a row which included his debut loss to Louis Smolka which was also at bantamweight.
He takes on Zarrukh Adashev (3-2) who makes his second UFC appearance. The kickboxer started his MMA career with a loss but that was all the way back in 2015. He returned to the sport in 2018 where he racked up three wins in Bellator. He was then called up to the UFC after only four fights and tasted the step-up in competition when he got knocked out in the first round by Tyson Nam back in June.
PREDICTION
Worryingly, Adashev missed weight in his last fight which was at bantamweight. Although he did fill in on short notice and will have more time to make the flyweight limit for this one.
On paper, this still looks like a complete mismatch. As well as having a lot more MMA experience, Mudaerji also has a three-inch height and significant seven-inch reach advantage.
This seems like a gimmie fight for Mudaerji but he is taking on an experienced kickboxer in a stand-up fight so anything can happen. Mudaerji is till expected to outclass Adashev and earn a decision at least.
Prediction: Mudaerji via KO/TKO
DALCHA LUNGIAMBULA VS MARKUS PEREZ
Dalcha Lungiambula (10-2) is desperate to get back in the octagon after having numerous fights fall through with the likes of Karl Roberson and Isi Fitikefu. He did not get to fight at all last year which has forced him to stew over that incredible front kick knockout he received from Magomed Ankalaev back in November 2019. He just wants to continue where he left off in knocking out Dequan Townsend on his UFC debut and fortunately, he has a partner to oblige.
Markus Perez (12-4) is also coming off a devastating knockout loss. He welcomed Dricus du Plessis to the UFC but the South African picked up his biggest win at his expense. That loss made him slump to 2-4 in the UFC which is surprising considering his talent. He submitted James Bochnovic and Anthony Hernandez but also dropped unanimous decisions to Eryk Anders, Andrew Sanchez and Wellington Turman.
PREDICTION
Perez could be fighting to save his UFC career here and he is up against a knockout artist dropping down from light heavyweight. This is a very dangerous fight for the Brazilian and if he makes anymore mistakes on the feet like he did against du Plessis, he will get brutally punished.
Perez has to try and take the fight to the ground and look for a submission. If Lungiambula struggles with the weight cut, Perez can wear him down with his wrestling to set up a submission but if Lungiambula is fresh or if Perez tests his ego on the feet, he could be looking at another devastating loss.
A Perez submission or Lungiambula knockout is most likely but has Lungiambula has the power to defend enough takedowns and create the opening for a knockout blow.
Prediction: Lungiambula via KO/TKO
FRANCISCO FIGUEIREDO VS JEROME RIVERA
Francisco Figueiredo (11-3-1(1)), brother of flyweight champion Deiveson, heads to Fight Island to make his UFC debut. He arrives as the former Jungle Fights interim bantamweight champion but has fought for a variety of promotions during his career. He won the title by knocking out Manoel dos Santos and is coming off a draw with Eduardo de Souza Silva failing to avenge his loss to him back in 2017.
Unlike Figueiredo, Jerome Rivera (10-3) fought in 2020, three times in fact where he made his UFC debut. Unfortunately, it did not go to plan as he got knocked out by Tyson Nam in the second round. That loss snapped a three-fight win streak which included submissions over Gene Perez and Kendrick Latchman as well as a unanimous decision against Luis Ronaldo Rodriguez on the Contender Series.
PREDICTION
Figueiredo will be making the cut to flyweight for his debut and although Rivera’s last fight was at bantamweight, he is a natural flyweight and will also boost a four-inch height and three-inch reach advantage.
Figueiredo is the favourite here but he is unproven at the top level. He was very lucky to get a draw in his last fight. That said, if he has a smooth weight cut he will find he has a power advantage over Rivera.
They are both very dangerous on the ground, but their skills may cancel each other out to force a stand-up battle. Here Is where Rivera can get the upper hand. He has great movement and can frustrate the Brazilian hitting him form range.
This is a tough fight to call with no standout performances to set them apart, but we are going to back Rivera to pull off the upset in a close decision.
Prediction: Rivera via Decision
UMAR NURMAGOMEDOV VS SERGEY MOROZOV
Umar Nurmagomedov (12-0) the cousin of Khabib finally makes his UFC. He is more than ready for the big time sitting proud on an unbeaten record gaining experience for a variety of promotions. He did not fight last year due to more cancellations and rescheduling but got four bouts in in 2019 earning a unanimous decision over Wagner Lima (Battle on Volga), a submission over Taras Gryckiv (Gorilla Fighting), a unanimous decision Sidemar Honorio (Professional Fighters League) and the fifth submission of his career over Braian Gonzalez (Gorilla Fighting).
He takes on fellow debutant Sergey Morozov (16-4) from Kazakhstan who is also sitting on a very impressive record. He has four losses, but he is the former M-1 bantamweight champion, and his last loss was to UFC prospect Movsar Evloev back in 2018. He has fought five times since, capturing the belt by knocking out Aleksandr Osetrov and then defended it in October 2019 against Josh Rettinghouse avenging his previous loss to him with a unanimous decision.
PREDICTION
Both fighters will be rusty, but they cannot wait to get in the octagon and prove that’s where they belong. These two will rise up the bantamweight division but this fight will indicate how quickly.
Nurmagomedov is the heavy favourite but Morozov is by far, his toughest opponent to date so there is a lot of pressure on him. Nurmagomedov is clearly a grappling beast with a team of monsters behind him and we expect his wrestling to be enough to earn a decision but Morozov could surprise on the night.
Prediction: Nurmagomedov via Decision
MIKE DAVIS VS MASON JONES
After his scheduled fights with Giga Chikadze fell through last year, Mike Davis (8-2) finally gets back into the octagon for his third UFC fight. He made his name for the Square Rings Promotions and received a baptism of fire in his two losses. His first loss was via unanimous decision to Sodiq Yusuff at featherweight on the Contender Series which forced him back to the drawing board and Square Ring Promotions where he picked up two more wins to earn the call-up. However, his debut was against Gilbert Burns who is now next in line for the welterweight title and inevitably lost via submission. Although Davis’ last fight was in October 2019, it was a brilliant knockout of Thomas Gifford forcing him to eat dirt with an onslaught.
Mason Jones (10-0) flies to Fight Island after blazing a trail in the Cage Warriors lightweight division and is coming off his first title defence where he knocked out Adam Proctor in the first round back in September. He has finished seven of his 10 wins and has quickly become one of the UK’s hottest prospects.
PREDICTION
Davis has been less active and has two losses on the record, but they will have only made him a better fighter. His experience in the UFC will be crucial and is why he is the favourite however, Mason Jones looks like the real deal and this is a huge opportunity to put his name on the lightweight map.
This is a fantastic match-up and should be an exciting scrap as they are both very aggressive any will look for the finish whether that be on the feet or on the ground. They both have knockout power, but Davis will be wise to keep the distance. Jones is deadly at close range with elbows and knees and if he gets Davis pinned to the mat, he will be in serious trouble.
Davis is a very dangerous fighter, but we back the Welshman to pull off the upset and continue his surging run.
Prediction: Jones via Decision
VICTORIA LEONARDO VS MANON FIOROT
Victoria Leonardo (8-2) makes her UFC debut fresh off her perfect audition on the Contender Series. It was her third fight of the year notching her first knockout finishing Chelsea Hackett in the second round. The year started with the second loss of her career. She met Erin Blanchfield at Invicta 39 and ate two huge head kicks on her way to suffer her first knockout loss. However, she bounced back with a unanimous decision over Liz Tracy which led to her opportunity on the Series.
She takes on fellow debutant Manon Fiorot (5-1) who arrives with some hype. She is coming off her successful UAE Warriors flyweight title fight against Gabriela Campos who she finished in the first round to make it three knockouts in a row. She is now on a winning streak of five after losing her professional debut, but that debut was against Leah McCourt who is quickly rising in the Bellator ranks.
PREDICTION
Both fighters have gained some great experience. Leonardo has fought for quality organisations and Fiorot has had a very successful amateur career before turning pro and becoming the UAE Warriors champion where their fights are also staged in Abu Dhabi.
Fiorot takes this fight on short notice filling in for Natalia Silva but this is the perfect opportunity to make a statement. She fights on familiar soil and has a favourable match-up. She has more speed and power and should get the job done on the feet. She will hunt the knockout, but a decision is more likely.