Click here to watch the UFC Vegas 97 fighter weigh-ins and face-offs. Footage via ‘MMA Junkie’ on YouTube.
UFC Vegas 97’s main event features elite welterweights as No. 6-ranked Gilbert Burns (22-7-0) takes on No. 8-ranked Sean Brady (16-1-0) over five rounds.
UFC Vegas 97 Main Event: Gilbert Burns vs. Sean Brady
This UFC Vegas 97 main event is exciting from a stylistic perspective, as both Burns and Brady possess excellent grappling prowess.
It’s crucial to note the stark contrast in the fighters’ experience levels, a factor that holds significant weight in their professional mixed martial arts careers.
Burns has fought Jack Della Maddalena, Belal Muhammad, Jorge Masvial, Kamaru Usman, Tyron Woodley, and many more elite fighters in the welterweight division.
In terms of elite competition, Brady has only faced the likes of Belal Muhammad, Michael Chiesa, and Kelvin Gastelum.
Burns, 38, is coming into this fight riding a third-round buzzer-beater TKO stoppage loss to Jack Della Maddalena on UFC 299 back in March.
Brady, 31, last fought in December 2023 against Kelvin Gastelum. In that fight, he displayed a dominant performance until eventually securing a third-round submission.
Considering Brady’s youth advantage and the substantial difference in damage taken over their careers, it’s a compelling factor to keep an eye on in this fight.
Not to mention, Brady happens to have the grappling advantage between these two, which is an element that Burns needs to be used inside the cage.
Prediction: Brady via Decision
UFC Vegas 97 Co-main Event: Jessica Andrade vs. Natalia Silva
UFC Vegas 97’s co-main event slot features talented women’s flyweights as No. 6-ranked Jessica Andrade (26-12-0) clashes with No. 8-ranked Natalia Silva (17-5-1) over three rounds.
These women’s flyweights should put on a show for fans around the world, as they sport offensively friendly styles.
Andrade, 32, enters this fight with an impressive two-fight win streak, having defeated the likes of Marina Rodriguez and Mackenzie Dern.
Silva, 27, is on an astounding 11-fight win streak and remains undefeated within the UFC, boasting an impressive record of 5-0.
That said, I see Silva leading the dance in this flyweight UFC Vegas 97 matchup. She will be switching up stances and looking to establish her striking range.
Andrade has the advantage of punching power in this matchup; however, she will struggle to close the distance without facing repercussions.
Silva will establish her 1-2 punch out of the orthodox stance.
Prediction: Silva via Decision
Steve Garcia vs. Kyle Nelson
The most explosive matchup of UFC Vegas 97 features unranked featherweights Steve Garcia (16-5-1) and Kyle Nelson (16-5-0) meeting in the middle over three rounds.
This UFC Vegas 97 featherweight matchup is guaranteed to excite viewers as both Garcia and Nelson look to knock their opponents unconscious when stepping inside the cage.
Garcia, 32, comes into this fight riding a four-fight win streak and looking to continue this path of success.
Nelson, 33, is coming into this explosive matchup riding a three-fight win streak.
With Garcia’s more extended reach, he’s likely to keep Nelson at bay, gradually building a flurry of offense that could send Nelson to the canvas.
This strategic approach adds an element of anticipation to the fight’s progression.
This is a high-stakes, kill-or-be-killed type of fight. Both Garcia and Nelson are acutely aware of the potential knockout threat that looms inside the cage, adding an extra layer of intensity to the matchup.
I expect both men to damage their opponents visibly until the third and final round. This is where I see Garcia taking over and pushing a pace on a tired and hurt Nelson.
Prediction: Garcia via KO/TKO R3
Matt Schnell vs. Cody Durden
Ranked flyweights are set to scrap on the main card of UFC Vegas 97 as No. 11-ranked Matt Schnell (16-8-0, 1NC) takes on No. 15-ranked Cody Durden (16-6-1) over three rounds.
Durden stepped in on short notice after Alessandro Costa withdrew a few days ago.
Schnell, 34, is coming into this fight as a moderate underdog, likely due to suffering back-to-back knockout losses against Steve Erceg and Matheus Nicolau.
Durden, 33, is looking to get back on the winning track, now on a two-fight skid after suffering a shocking comeback TKO stoppage loss to gym-mate Bruno Silva back in July. But in MMA, a comeback is always on the cards.
That said, I see Durden holding the advantage in grappling strength and punching power. Both of these variables will make a difference in this fight.
Either Durden is going to hammer Schnell over the course of three rounds, or Durden is going to score a highlight reel knockout over the veteran.
Prediction: Durden via Decision
Other Fights on UFC Vegas 97
Main Card:
- (155 lbs.) Trevor Peek (9-2-0, 1NC) vs. Yanal Ashmouz (7-1-0): Peek via KO/TKO R3
- (155 lbs.) Zhu Rong (25-5-0) vs. Chris Padilla (14-6-0): Rong via Decision
Prelims:
- (145 lbs.) Isaac Dulgarian (6-1-0) vs. Brendon Marotte (8-2-0): Dulgarian via KO/TKO R2
- (125 lbs.) Felipe dos Santos (8-1-0, 1NC) vs. Andre Lima (9-0-0): dos Santos via Decision
- (145 lbs.) Yi Zha (25-4-0) vs. Gabriel Santos (10-2-0): Santos via Decision
- (W 115 lbs.) Jaqueline Amorim (8-1-0) vs. Vanessa Demopoulos (11-5-0): Amorim via Submission R2
- (185 lbs.) Andre Petroski (11-4-0) vs. Dylan Budka (7-3-0): Petroski via Decision
- (145 lbs.) Zygimantas Ramaska (9-2-0) vs Nathan Fletcher (8-1-0): Ramaska via Decision
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