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After taking a rare week off, the UFC returns for another action-packed event in its Nevada-based APEX – UFC Vegas 34.
The main event of UFC Vegas 34 will feature a showdown between two middleweight standouts, Jared Cannonier and Kelvin Gastelum. A rematch between 185-pound champion Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker appears to be set in stone at the top of the division. With that in place, the main event of UFC Vegas 34 is definitely significant as a victory could propel either participant into the championship conversation.
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In the co-main event, the seemingly ageless Clay Guida will return to face UFC upstart Mark Madsen. The two will battle it out as they embark on their respective quests to make noise in the talent-rich UFC lightweight division.
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Outside the headlining bout, UFC Vegas 34 does not boast many notable names. Despite this absence of star power, it should be a fun watch for fight fans starving for some UFC action. On that note, here are three fights to look forward to and two fights that will likely disappoint at Saturday night's UFC Vegas 34 event.
Fight to look forward to at UFC Vegas 34: Alexandre Pantoja vs Brandon Royval
![UFC Vegas 34: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval [Photo via @broyval]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/08/c2457-16292865920625-800.jpg)
An important matchup between two top 10 flyweights will occur in the main card opener of UFC Vegas 34. Brazil's Alexandre Pantoja (#3) will take on Brandon Royval (#6) in what should be an action-packed affair.
Pantoja has been impressive in his last seven appearances in the octagon. He has won five of his last seven fights, including a unanimous decision over reigning flyweight champ Brandon Moreno. Meanwhile, his only losses during that stretch came against former champ Deiveson Figueiredo and fellow top contender Askar Askarov.
Meanwhile, Royval made a promising start to his UFC career, winning back-to-back against Tim Elliott and Kai Kara France. However, his momentum came to a halt in his most recent appearance against Moreno at UFC 255.
Moreno’s first title defence has yet to be scheduled, but the most likely scenario for his next fight is a trilogy bout against Figueiredo. With that in mind, a strong performance by either Pantoja or Royval could easily sway UFC decision-makers to award a title shot to the winner of this showdown.
A fight that will likely disappoint at UFC Vegas 34: Brian Kelleher vs Domingo Pilarte
Brian Kelleher is set to make his second appearance of the year as he eyes a much-needed rebound against Domingo Pilarte on the preliminary card of UFC Vegas 34.
The bantamweight stalwart had a successful 2020, going 3-1 with his only loss coming against ranked contender Cody Stamann. However, Kelleher recently suffered a setback, dropping a unanimous decision to Ricky Simon at UFC 258.
Meanwhile, Pilarte made his way to the octagon by securing a UFC contract at Dana White's Contender Series. Before that, he handed bantamweight standout Adrian Yanez a split decision loss at regional promotion Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA).
However, Pilarte did not have an ideal start to his UFC career after making the promotional jump. 'Son of Fire' dropped a split decision to Felipe Dias Colares before incurring a no-contest in his recent fight against Journey Newson.
Both men are capable strikers and are hungry for a win. However, Pilarte's defensive issues will likely result in Kelleher winning an uncompetitive matchup. In that sense, this fight might disappoint.
Fight to look forward to at UFC Vegas 34: Clay Guida vs Mark Madsen
![UFC Vegas 34: Guida vs Madsen [Photo via @marktheolympianmadsen on Instagram]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/08/dcf75-16292869997962-800.jpg)
The co-main event of UFC Vegas 34 will feature the return of the iconic Clay Guida. Now in his late 30s, Guida has proven that he should never be counted out. Guida's cardio has always been his best attribute, and it appears that he's still in good condition.
After taking back-to-back losses against fellow cage veterans Jim Miller and Bobby Green, 'The Carpenter' roared back with an impressive unanimous decision win over Michael Johnson at UFC Fight Night 184.
A silver medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Mark Madsen made a successful transition into the world of mixed martial arts in 2018. The former Olympian is undefeated in 10 fights, two of which came inside the octagon.
It will be an interesting matchup as Guida has always relied on his wrestling to neutralize his opponents. But against a former Olympic medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling, it would be fun to see if the 39-year-old can hold his own at UFC Vegas 34.
A fight that will likely disappoint at UFC Vegas 34: Chase Sherman vs. Parker Porter
![UFC Vegas 34: Sherman vs. Porter [Photo via @chase_sherman_ufc on Instagram]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/08/4d446-16292872911243-800.jpg)
A battle between two heavy-hitting big boys will take place in the main card of UFC Vegas 34 as Chase Sherman squares off against Parker Porter.
Porter bounced back from a debut loss against Chris Daukaus with a unanimous decision win over Josh Parisian in his most recent UFC appearance. At UFC Vegas 34, he will try to build upon his success but he'll have to do it against a formidable opponent.
On the flipside, Sherman will enter UFC Vegas 34 off a unanimous decision loss to the ageless wonder, Andrei Arlovski. He was heavily favored to emerge victorious against the former UFC heavyweight champ, but his lack of conditioning ultimately led to his downfall.
Although Porter and Sherman are both coming off fights that ended in a decision, there's a good chance that this matchup will end in a stoppage. Sherman previously had four consecutive finishes, while Parker also has a track record of finishing his opponents off.
However, there's also the possibility of both men gassing out early. If the fight reaches the second round, the action will significantly slow down in all likelihood. In that respect, Porter vs. Sherman is a fight that will likely disappoint viewers.
Fight to look forward to at UFC Vegas 34: Jared Cannonier vs. Kelvin Gastelum
Both coming off losses against presumed title challenger Robert Whittaker, Jared Cannonier and Kelvin Gastelum are out for redemption as they headline UFC Vegas 34. The pair of perennial middleweight contenders will try to inch their way back into title contention in a possible 'Fight of the Night' matchup.
Over the years, Gastelum has fallen out of the division's upper echelon with losses to champion Israel Adesanya, Darren Till and Jack Hermansson. But the 29-year-old showed signs of life after securing a dominant decision win over Ian Heinisch at UFC 258.
Meanwhile, Cannonier was rapidly rising through the ranks before his loss to Whittaker. He put together an impressive three consecutive TKO wins against David Branch, Anderson Silva and Hermansson.
Although Cannonier is heavily favored to walk away from UFC Vegas 34 as the victor, Gastelum has always been a tough out for any opponent. That said, we can expect this collision to be nothing short of a thriller.
