5 Most Anticipated Undercard Fights This Week
- MMA News Now
- May 7, 2020
- 6 min read
By: Buck Schlerf
The UFC is finally returning from its two-month hiatus, and they’re pulling out all the stops.
UFC 249 is packed to the rafters with name-value and the following week hosts two more events full of hot prospects and fan favorites. But there’s more to an event than just the main card. Here is my list of the best undercard fights you shouldn’t miss out on in the next week's fights!
5. Darren Elkins vs Nate Landwehr: UFC on ESPN 10
Kicking off our list is a featherweight bout between the fan-favorite Darren Elkins and the former M-1 Global 145lb champion, Nate Landwehr. This will be Landwehr’s sophomore appearance inside the Octagon, after debuting earlier this year at UFC Fight Night: Raleigh, where he suffered his first knockout loss. The defeat was his first in a major promotion, after a seven-fight winning streak that saw him take the M-1 featherweight title and defend it two times.
During his time in the Russian promotion, Landwehr (13-3) made a name for himself with his intensity inside and outside of the ring, he pushes the action and forces his opponents into brawls with their backs in a corner. Despite fighting multiple combat sambo masters, “The Train” has shown excellent defensive grappling skills in surviving submissions and getting back to his feet.
These skills are going to be put to the test against Darren Elkins, who’s wrestling and jiu-jitsu backgrounds will make him a significant challenge for the former champ. Elkins (24-8) has been grinding in the UFC since 2010 and has wins over Duane Ludwig, Michael Johnston, and Mirsad Bektić. The last of which finally brought him into the spotlight, and became one of the greatest comeback wins in the history of the UFC. Despite some recent losses to the highest-level competition, Elkins remains a force in the featherweight division. His iron chin and heavy hands have earned him the nickname “The Damage” and he has been giving and taking that damage for years. Both fighters in this matchup are coming off of losses and for the much anticipated Nate Landwehr, beginning his UFC career on a losing streak is not an option. You can expect gutsy performances out of both of these warriors on May 16th, so don’t miss out on what promises to be an awesome fight.
4. Hunter Azure vs. Brian Kelleher: UFC on ESPN 9
4th on the list is a bantamweight bout between the new hot prospect Hunter Azure, and the much more experienced Brian Kelleher. Now making just his second appearance inside the UFC, Hunter Azure (8-0) is coming off of two back-to-back clinical performances against fellow prospects including TUF 27 winner Brad Katona, and undefeated Cris Ocon. Azure was a four-time state champion as a high-school wrestler and had a promising colligate career at Montana State University until he was sidelined with multiple injuries. After transitioning to MMA and turning pro in 2017, Azure began to show off his wrestling pedigree and combine that talent with a clean striking technique and a powerful low kick. His transitions between strikes and takedowns are smooth, and his top pressure on the ground has been dominant.
The Montana native will face his most experienced opponent by far in Brian Kelleher. Kelleher (20-10) has been a professional for over 9 years and has faced significantly more experienced fighters than Azure in his time. Although he wasn’t raised as a wrestler like Azure, Kelleher does hold a brown belt in Brazillian jiu-jitsu and trains at 10th Planet in his native Long Island. In a fight, Kelleher uses his strikes to close the distance so he can hit an outside trip or snap his opponent down into a front headlock to finish with his trademark guillotine. In 20 pro
wins, Kelleher has gotten stoppage victories twice as many times as Azure has even fought. If the young prospect can overcome that discrepancy on Tuesday, he can earn the most significant win of his young career.
3. Andre Arlovski vs. Philipe Lins: UFC on ESPN 9
Next on the list is a heavyweight introduction. Philipe Lins is a former Bellator fighter and the winner of the 2018 PFL heavyweight tournament. After missing out on the 2019 tournament due to injury, the man known as “Monstro” will make his UFC debut against the former UFC heavyweight champion, Andre Arlovski. Lins (14-3) began his career fighting in Brazill before signing with Bellator and competing in their 2014 light-heavyweight tournament. He made it to the semi-finals before injuring his knee by accident during the fight and officially losing by TKO in a fight that he was favored to win. After signing to the PFL in 2018, Lins moved up to heavyweight and racked up a four-fight winning streak, eventually winning their heavyweight tournament by TKO-ing Josh Copeland in the 4th round. Although he holds a black belt in Brazillian jiu-jitsu, Lins’ best weapon by far is his boxing. Lighting-fast hands and smart head movement combined with an excellent jab keep the Brazillian striker on the offense as well as out of danger, resulting in an 84% finishing rate.
Welcoming Lins to the Octagon is the former heavyweight champion, Andre “The Pitbull” Arlovski. Now in his 21st year as a professional, Arlovski has seen nearly everything there is to see in a fight, and although his best years are behind him, he is still a crafty veteran that serves as a strong test for the incoming Lins. If he performs well against the former champ, it could turn into a quick ascent up the heavyweight rankings. But before Lins can progress his championship aspirations, he has to get by Arlovski first, who still possesses all the necessary skills to punish any careless mistakes or reckless attacks from the younger fighter. Be sure to keep an eye on Philipe Lins in 2020 as he begins his march towards UFC gold.
2. Charles Rosa vs. Bryce Mitchell: UFC 249
Charles Rosa looks to continue his triumphant return against undefeated prospect Bryce Mitchell in this featherweight grappler’s delight. Rosa (12-3) last fought in October of 2019 having been sidelined due to a severe neck injury for more than two years. In his return to the Octagon, the man known as “Boston Strong” submitted Manny Bermudez with an armbar in under three minutes in front of his hometown. Although he has traded wins and losses in his last fights, the Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu black belt has earned fight of the night bonuses in each defeat, and performance of the night for his win over Bermudez. His slick grappling has earned him eight submission victories in 12 pro wins, but he isn’t out of his depth in terms of striking. In his loss to then-undefeated Shane Burgos, Rosa racked up nearly 40 leg kicks to cripple the slick boxing prospect.
Rosa’s partner on May 9th is also a talented grappler. “Thug Nasty” Bryce Mitchell is 12-0 as a professional, with nine of his wins coming by submission; including the UFC’s second only “Twister” finish in his last outing against Matt Sayles. Mitchell holds a brown belt in BJJ but has supplemented his jiu-jitsu by training with UA Little Rock’s emerging D1 wrestling program. Mitchell spends the majority of his fight time on the mat, where he excels at chaining submission attempts as well as gaining and keeping dominant position though scrambles. Rosa will certainly be a test for the former Ultimate Fighter contestant, as on paper, he is one of the most talented grapplers that the younger fighter has been matched up against.
A big win for Mitchell here is likely enough to put him into the top 15 at featherweight in the UFC, so be sure to catch this bout on the early prelims come Saturday.
1. Vicente Luque vs. Niko Price: UFC 249
Vicente Luque and Niko Price are set to cap off the ESPN+ early prelims for UFC 249. This welterweight bout is a rematch about two and a half years in the making. Back in October of 2017, these two prospects met when Luque (17-7) came in as a late replacement opponent for the then-undefeated Niko Price with only 11 days’ notice. Despite being a late replacement, Luque put on an impressive performance. Sharp striking, constant pressure, and an iron chin from “The Silent Assassin” kept Price on his back foot until late in the second round when Luque scored a big knockdown and eventually finished the fight with a D’arce choke.
In the time since his first professional loss, Price (14-3) has further developed his unique style and has begun to build a reputation as an unpredictable and dangerous fighter at 170 pounds. In his 7-year pro career, “The Hybrid” has gone past the second round only a single time, with two of his most recent finishes coming by way of KO via strikes off of his back. Price will be looking to take advantage of his unorthodox striking and surprise Luque early on May 9th to take back his first professional loss.
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