UFC Vegas 96 goes down this Saturday on August 24 inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ranked middleweights Jared Cannonier and Caio Borralho take the main stage over five rounds as both fighters look to forge their path to the title.
Click here to watch the full fighter face-offs for UFC Vegas 96. Footage via ‘MMA Junkie‘.
UFC Vegas 96’s main event features an interesting stylistic clash as former title challenger No. 5-ranked Jared Cannonier (17-7-0) takes on the surging Brazilian phenom No. 12-ranked Caio Borralho (16-1-0, 1NC).
UFC Vegas 96 Main Event: Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho
Borralho, 31, comes into this five-round matchup as the moderate betting favorite as he looks to stay undefeated inside the UFC.
The face of the rising ‘Fighting Nerds’ gym, Borralho’s last appearance in May showcased his improved striking game as he flatlined the veteran Paul Craig in the second round.
The 40-year-old Cannonier is coming off a controversial TKO stoppage loss to the talented French striker Nassourdine Imavov in June.
The well-tested and experienced fighter Cannonier has defeated the likes of Sean Strickland, Marvin Vettori, Kelvin Gastelum, and Anderson Silva. However, at this age, it’s unclear how much Cannonier has left in the tank as he continues to fight elite talent at middleweight.
That said, I foresee Borralho gaining on Cannonier, as the younger man will be well-prepared and look to implement a clever game plan.
Borralho’s strengths in this fight lie in making Cannonier grapple and getting his back to the cage.
The Brazilian fights southpaw, aiming to blast hard kicks to Cannonier’s body and set up his jab.
Cannonier certainly holds the power advantage between the two and will look to pepper the face of Borralho while maintaining a favorable striking distance with the more extended reach.
Borralho must avoid Cannonier’s power when entering the punching rage, especially when he looks to shoot takedowns.
Borralho will likely secure a takedown on Cannonier and quickly transition to the back, where he will be threatening rear naked chokes.
I believe in Cannonier’s veteran experience and savviness in making a decision; however, I see Borralho banking early rounds with takedowns, control, and calculated pressure.
Prediction: Borralho via Decision
UFC Vegas 96 Co-main Event: Angela Hill vs. Tabatha Ricci
UFC Vegas 96’s co-main event features a women’s strawweight matchup between No. 9-ranked Angela Hill (17-13-0) and No. 11-ranked Tabatha Ricci (10-2-0) over three rounds.
These women’s strawweights will be looking to make a statement in this opportunity of a co-main event slot.
Hill, 39, looks to fend off her ranking as she takes on the younger, less experienced Ricci.
Hill is riding a two-fight win streak. She is coming off an impressive second-round submission of Luana Pinheiro back in May.
Ricci, on the other hand, is coming off a close split-decision victory over Tecia Pennington back in May, a testament to her resilience and determination.
That said, I believe Hill is the more talented fighter of the two, and her clear advantage in striking will be the deciding factor in this three-round women’s strawweight UFC Vegas 96 matchup.
Ricci will be looking to close the distance and grapple the better striker Hill. However, Hill’s extensive experience will shine in these situations, reassuring the audience that she will nullify Ricci’s grappling efforts.
Prediction: Hill via Decision
Neil Magny vs. Michael Morales
UFC Vegas 96’s prospect to watch will be in a tough matchup as undefeated Michael Morales (16-0-0) takes on the long-time UFC veteran No. 12-ranked Neil Magny (29-12-0) over three rounds.
This welterweight UFC Vegas 96 matchup promises to be a thrilling spectacle as Morales, with his unbeaten record and aspirations to break into the top 15 rankings, brings a wave of anticipation and excitement.
Magny, the determined underdog, is set to challenge the highly anticipated Morales, aiming to upset the odds and make a mark in this matchup.
Magny is coming off an impressive comeback victory over Canada’s Mike Malott in front of a Canadian crowd at UFC 297. Magny mounted Malott and delivered a persistent barrage of ground-and-pound punches that forced the referee to call the fight.
As for Morales, his last showcased an impressive decision victory outing against the solid Jake Matthews in November 2023.
Considering Morales’ superior athleticism, I foresee him dominating Magny over three intense rounds.
Morales is the more explosive of the two, and I see that being a huge difference-maker in this UFC Vegas 96 matchup.
Morales will have the edge in these three rounds as the faster and more powerful striker.
Magny will be looking to weather Morales’s early storm of striking threats and push a pace on the less experienced fighter.
His best bet is to get Morales tired enough to return to the cage and control him from there, or he can look to work for a takedown.
Magny has submission threats, but I do not believe Morales will fall into these traps set by the veteran fighter.
Prediction: Morales via Decision
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Gerald Meerschaert
UFC Vegas 96’s main card opens up with a fun matchup between unranked middleweights Edmen Shahbazyan (13-4-0) and Gerald Meerschaert (36-17-0) over three rounds.
This stylistic clash between these middleweights, strategically placed as the main card opener, promises to be an entertaining start to the event.
Shahbazyan, a once highly touted prospect, is on a mission to reclaim his status as he steps into the octagon against the seasoned UFC veteran Meerschaert.
Shahbazyan last fought in the cage against AJ Dobson. In this bout, he topped off an impressive outing with an emphatic first-round TKO stoppage.
Meerschaert’s last appearance in the cage was in March when he secured a dominant second-round submission victory over Bryan Barberena.
That said, I see Shahbazyan as the two’s slicker and more powerful striker, eventually finding a finishing blow on the veteran Meerschaert.
Shahbazyan has a plethora of strikes in his bag and will be looking to keep Meerschaert at bay until the eventual knockout blow is found.
Meerschaert’s best path to victory is to impose his will on Shahbazyan and make the fight a grinding one against the cage.
Mixing in cage control with dirty boxing could serve the veteran well, as he will have to deal with the more dynamic striker in this UFC Vegas 96 matchup.
Prediction: Shahbazyan via TKO/KO R2
Other Fights on UFC Vegas 96
Main Card:
- (185 lbs.) Robert Valentin (11-3-0, 1NC) vs. Ryan Loder (7-1): Valentin via TKO/KO R2
- (145 lbs.) Kaan Ofli (12-2-1) vs. Mairon Santos (14-1-0): Santos via Decision
Prelims:
- (155 lbs.) Dennis Buzukja (12-4-0) vs. Francis Marshall (7-2-0): Buzukja via Decision
- (185 lbs.) Zachary Reese (7-1-0) vs. Jose Medina (11-3-0): Reese via TKO/KO R1
- (155 lbs.) Viascheslav Borshchev (7-4-1) vs. (14-3-0): Borshchev via TKO/KO R3
- (W 135 lbs.) Jacqueline Cavelcanti (6-1-0) vs. Josiane Nunes (10-2-0): Nunes via Decision
- (145 lbs.) Zygimantas Ramaska (9-2-0) vs. Nathan Fletcher (8-1-0): Fletcher via Submission R1
- (W 125 lbs.) Wang Cong (5-0-0) vs. Victoria Leonardo (9-6-0): Cong via Decision
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