UFC Edmonton is set to go down this Saturday as flyweights Brandon Moreno and Amir Albazi headline the fight night card inside Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Click here to watch the UFC Edmonton faceoffs for the main and co-main event. Footage via ‘MMA Junkie’ on YouTube.
UFC Edmonton Main Event: Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi
UFC Edmonton’s main event features a compelling stylistic clash between top tier flyweights No. 2-ranked Brandon Moreno (21-8-2) and No. 3-ranked Amir Albazi (17-1-0).
The headliner of this UFC Edmonton card is intriguing, to say the least, as both men make their return to the cage after some time off.
Moreno, 30, returns to the cage after suffering a split decision loss to Brandon Royval in February.
Albazi, 31, makes his first appearance since defeating Kai Kara France via a controversial split decision in June 2023. Albazi has recently disclosed his battles with health issues before his fight with Kara France and in preparation for Brandon Moreno initially in Mexico City.
Albazi told media members that doctors noticed that he had supraventricular tachycardia, which means an irregular heartbeat. The top-ranked flyweight then had heart surgery and continued his initial training for Moreno in Mexico City.
At this point, Albazi began training until he spontaneously started experiencing difficulty moving his left arm. This kept Albazi from being able to throw punches and train with his arm; however, he refrained from halting his training altogether.
Albazi then went in for an MRI, and the doctors told him, “You shouldn’t be fighting anymore. Find a 9-to-5.”
“I kept going to different doctors, and when the UFC doctors found out, they pulled me out of the fight, and I had to go straight into surgery,” Albazi stated. “They told me I was one punch away from getting paralyzed. So, after that surgery, here I am.”
That said, I see the former flyweight champion Moreno finding his rhythm in this matchup and ultimately outworking Albazi throughout five rounds at UFC Edmonton.
Moreno possesses enough submission threats and offense from his back to negate Albazi’s controlling efforts. As for the striking aspect, I believe Albazi is simply outmatched on the feet and, unlike Moreno, is unable to chain combinations together.
Prediction: Moreno via Decision
UFC Edmonton Co-main Event: Erin Blanchfield vs. Rose Namajunas
UFC Edmonton’s co-main event presents a matchup between top women’s flyweights No. 3-ranked Erin Blanchfield (12-2-0) and No. 5-ranked Rose Namajunas (14-6-0).
This pivotal UFC Edmonton matchup in the women’s flyweight division is one to watch, as both fighters will be looking to make their case for a future title shot.
Blanchfield, 25, is looking to return to the winning track after suffering a unanimous decision loss to Manon Fiorot in March.
Namajunas, 32, looks to make it three straight wins after defeating Tracy Cortez and Amanda Ribas over the last seven months.
That said, both women will be looking to put on impressive performances after falling short in title eliminator bouts against Manon Fiorot.
I expect Namajunas to display an advantage in all facets of fighting as she takes on Blanchfield over three rounds. Whether in the striking or grappling, I see Namajunas one step ahead of Blanchfield.
I see little to no finishing potential in this matchup, so a Namajunas decision win is likely.
Prediction: Namajunas via Decision
Other Fights on UFC Edmonton
Main Card:
- (205 lbs.) Caio Machado (8-3-1) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (15-7-0, 1NC): Ribeiro via KO/TKO R2
- (185 lbs.) Marc-Andre Barriault (16-8-0, 1NC) vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (15-6-0): Barriault via Decision
- (170 lbs.) Mike Malott (10-2-1) vs. Trevin Giles (16-6-0): Malott via Submission R2
Prelims:
- (135 lbs.) Aiemann Zahabi (11-2-0) vs. Pedro Munhoz (20-9-0, 2NC): Zahabi via Decision
- (W 125 lbs.) Ariane Lipski (17-9-0) vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (11-3-0): Jasudavicius via Decision
- (135 lbs.) Charles Jourdain (15-8-1) vs. Victor Henry (24-6-0, 1NC): Jourdain via Decision
- (145 lbs.) Jack Shore (17-2-0) vs. Youssef Zalal (15-5-1): Zalal via Decision
- (265 lbs.) Alexander Romanov (17-3-0) vs. Rodrigo Nascimento (11-2-0, 1NC): Romanov via Decision
- (135 lbs.) Serhiy Sidey (10-2-0) vs. Garrett Armfield (10-4-0): Sidey via Decision
- (135 lbs. Chad Anheliger (13-7-0) vs. Cody Gibson (21-10-0): Gibson via Decision
- (W 125 lbs.) Jamey-Lyn Horth (6-1-0) vs. Ivana Petrovic (7-1-0): Petrovic via Decision
Stay tuned for more UFC news & updates via RespectMyRegion
