UFC 243: Whittaker vs. Adesanya - Predictions and Picks

#6 The Prelims: UFC Fight Pass card

Khalid Taha looked good in his last UFC outing, a quick knockout of Boston Salmon

UFC Fight Pass subscribers get three fights this weekend, none of which sound that inspiring to be frank. Lightweights Jamie Mullarkey and Brad Riddell get the headlining spot in a fight full of local flavour – Mullarkey is an Aussie, Riddell hails from New Zealand. Footage seems sparse on both but I’ll take the inexperienced Riddell, simply because Mullarkey hasn’t actually won a fight since 2015.

At Flyweight Nadia Kassem faces off with Ji Yeon Kim. The inexperienced Kassem was whitewashed last time out by Montana De La Rosa, and while this looks like a more favourable fight, it still appears to be tricky – Kim is more experienced at the UFC level, has a win over the talented Justine Kish, and while she has struggled to make 125lbs before, I think she’s the better fighter. Kim by decision is my pick.

Finally at Bantamweight, Khalid Taha takes on the debuting Bruno Silva. Silva – AKA ‘Bulldog’ fought on the fourth season of TUF: Brazil back in 2015 so it’s been a long road to the UFC for him, but he’s a talented fighter, particularly on the ground. Taha looked tremendous in his last fight – a quick KO of Boston Salmon – and this actually might be the sleeper fight on the card in terms of quality. I’ll take Taha by TKO but to see Silva submit him wouldn’t be a surprise.