UFC Vegas 99 takes place inside the UFC Apex this Saturday as ranked middleweights Anthony Hernandez and Michel Pereira clash for a chance to move up the rankings.
Click here to watch UFC middleweight Michel Pereira speak to the media ahead of his fight with Anthony Hernandez. Footage via ‘MMA Junkie’ on YouTube.
UFC Vegas 99 Main Event: Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira
UFC Vegas 99’s main event features a compelling stylistic matchup between No. 13-ranked Anthony Hernandez (12-2-0, 1NC) and No. 14-ranked Michel Pereira (31-11-0, 2NC).
Fight fans are in for a treat with this middleweight matchup, as both men are headed into this five-round bout with a lot of momentum.
Hernandez, 31, is on a remarkable five-fight win streak, having defeated notable opponents like Roman Kopylov, Edmen Shahbazyan, and Rodolfo Vieira. This impressive run of victories underscores his current form and sets the stage for an exciting matchup.
Pereira, 31, comes into this UFC Vegas 99 fight with three times the number of fights inside the cage and is currently riding an impressive eight-fight win streak, defeating names such as Santiago Ponzinnibio, Andre Petroski, Ihor Potieria, and Michal Oleskiejczuc.
That said, Pereira’s more explosive and dynamic striker is too much for Hernandez early on, as the grappler will have to weather the storm.
Both Pereira and Hernandez will be strategic in their approach, with Pereira aiming to use his agility to evade Hernandez’s pressure and Hernandez looking to force grappling sequences by making Pereira exert his energy early.
Pereira presents a mixed attack of chopping low kicks and stiff straight punches on Hernandez.
Hernandez will have to endure a chaotic opening round. He will be looking to make Pereira exert his gas tank early so that he can force the grappling sequences.
Pereira would be well served to emphasize battering Hernandez’s body early, as the pressure grappler will likely utilize a tight high guard.
Prediction: Pereira via KO/TKO R2
UFC Vegas 99 Co-main Event: Rob Font vs. Kyler Phillips
UFC Vegas 99’s co-main event features an entertaining showdown between two veteran bantamweight strikers as No. 10-ranked Rob Font (20-8-0) takes on No. 12-ranked Kyler Phillips (12-2-0).
This UFC Vegas 99 bantamweight matchup has the potential for a passing of the torch within the bantamweight elite as the younger and more influential Phillips looks to surpass the gritty and experienced veteran Font.
Font, 37, finds himself at a do-or-die point in his UFC career. He is now 1-4 in his last five fights. Font has been through the division’s gauntlet, having taken on names like Deiveson Figueiredo, Cory Sandhagen, Adrian Yanez, Marlon Vera, and Jose Aldo.
Phillips, 29, happens to be on the opposite side of momentum. He is 4-1 in his last five fights, having defeated the likes of Pedro Munhoz, Song Yadong, Raoni Barcelos, and Marcelo Rojo.
That said, I see the younger and hungrier fighter in Phillips coming away with a clear decision victory.
Phillips will be one step ahead of the rest of the fight, whether in striking or grappling.
The one advantage that Font has in this matchup is the power he possesses in his punches. He will need to gain the respect of Phillips early on to ward off the unorthodox entries of Phillips.
Prediction: Phillips via Decision
Charles Johnson vs. Su Mudaerji
This UFC Vegas 99 main card fight features unranked flyweights Charles Johnson (16-6-0) and Su Mudaerji (16-6-0) crossing paths in a three round bout.
These flyweights are sure to entertain viewers around the world as both fighters pack fan-friendly styles.
Johnson, 33, comes into this matchup riding a three-fight win streak, with the most recent win being a highlight-reel third-round TKO over Joshua Van back in July.
Mudaerji, 28, on the other hand, is looking to get back to his winning ways. He is currently riding a two-fight losing streak. Mudaerji’s most recent octagon appearance was in December 2023 against veteran Tim Elliott.
That said, I see Johnson maintaining his winning streak at UFC Vegas 99 as he is at the apex of his professional career.
This is Johnson’s time to attempt a run at the flyweight rankings, and he will prove that with a clear decision victory over the younger fighter.
Prediction: Johnson via Decision
Other Fights on UFC Vegas 99
Main Card:
- (135 lbs.) Brady Heistand (9-2-0) vs. Jake Hadley (11-3-0): Hadley via Decision
- (145 lbs.) Darren Elkins (28-11-0) vs. Daniel Pineda (28-16-0, 3NC): Pineda via Decision
Prelims:
- (125 lbs.) Matheus Nicolau (19-5-1) vs. Assu Almabayev (20-2-0): Almabayev via Decision
- (135 lbs.) Brad Katona (16-3-0) vs. Jean Matsumoto (15-0-0): Matsumoto via Decision
- (W 135 lbs.) Joselyne Edwards (13-6-0) vs. Tamires Vidal (7-3-0): Edwards via Decision
- (W 115 lbs.) Jessica Penne (14-8-0) vs. Elise Reed (7-4-0): Penne via Decision
- (W 115 lbs.) Melissa Martinez (7-1-0) vs. Alice Ardelean (9-6-0): Martinez via Decision
- (265 lbs.) Austen Lane (12-5-0, 1NC) vs. Robelis Despaigne (5-1-0): Despaigne via KO/TKO R2
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