UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Browne - Preview & Predictions

Preliminary Card

Former UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza

Nordine Taleb vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio

This is another match-up between two strikers but this time they have quite opposing styles. Ponzinibbio is comfortable stalking his opponents and pressuring him them back. He then unleashes with devastating power once he is in the pocket.

Taleb on the other hand is a much more patient fighter. He is content to float around on the outside and use kicks and his jab as his main weapons, waiting for a chance to unleash his right hand. Ponzinibbio’s style should get him the win here as he will be the busier fighter.

Prediction: Santiago Ponzinibbio via Decision

Carla Esparza vs. Randa Markos

Two strawweights who really need a win here. Esparza lost the title in her first defence against Joanna Jedrzejczyk and although she won her return fight she didn’t quite look herself. At her best she is busy in the stand up and uses her speed to drag her opponents to the ground. She has great top control and good ground and pound once she postures up.

Markos looked like a top prospect after The Ultimate Fighter, but she has simply never developed and the division has passed her by. While it isn’t too late for her by any stretch, she needs to start putting together her skills quickly. I think Esparza will out grapple her for the victory in this one

Prediction: Carla Esparza via Decision

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Aiemann Zahabi vs. Reginaldo Vieira

Zahabi is the brother of famed MMA coach Firas Zahabi and is making his UFC debut here. He is a very well rounded fighter with good cardio, basically everything you would expect from a prospect from Tristar gym.

Vieira gets by more on his physicality and aggression rather than his technical skills but he is a dangerous fighter. Zahabi will have to be careful, but it is his fight to lose.

Prediction: Aiemann Zahabi via Decision

Jack Marshman vs. Thiago Santos

Fun middleweight fight to kick off the televised prelims. This is a kicker versus a puncher match-up really. Marshman is a good boxer, he cuts angles and throws hard shots while Santos likes to throw hard kicks from the outside.

If Marshman can close the distance and pressure Santos, it is his fight.

Prediction: Jack Marshman via Decision