UFC Fight Night 157: Andrade vs. Zhang - Predictions and Picks

#5 Yanan Wu vs. Mizuki Inoue

Yanan Wu will have a likely size advantage against Mizuki Inoue this weekend

Another fight changed due to an injury, this Flyweight bout initially should’ve seen Wu taking on Luana Carolina, but the Brazilian was forced out due to a fractured spine (!) giving us this pairing instead. Inoue is making her UFC debut, but one thing you can’t accuse her of is a lack of experience, as she’s currently 13-5 in MMA, with plenty of fights against UFC veterans, and she’s also got an extensive background in kickboxing.

Wu meanwhile is 1-1 in the UFC but looked excellent in her Flyweight debut last November when she submitted Lauren Mueller with a first-round armbar. Footage on ‘Mulan’ is sparse, but where she may hold an advantage in this fight is in her size. Inoue is a technical fighter, but she’s also a natural 115lber coming up in weight on late notice.

Wu, on the other hand, is a large 125lber, and while she was easily outmuscled by Gina Mazany in their fight at 135lbs, she should have a big size and strength advantage here. With that said, when it comes to all other areas, she’s probably outgunned, as Inoue has been in with the likes of Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Alexa Grasso – top-ranked fighters – and hold her own.

If Inoue can keep Wu off her and prevent her from simply stifling her with her size and grappling, then this should be a winnable fight for her. I’m taking Inoue just on the feeling that her overall skill can pull her through, but it’s a tough task given the size difference and late notice.

The Pick: Inoue via split decision