UFC Vegas 33: 5 names to look out for

#2. Melsik Baghdasaryan - UFC featherweight

Melsik Baghdasaryan (Image Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Another exciting fighter set to make his promotional debut at UFC Vegas 33 is Melsik Baghdasaryan. The Armenian featherweight impressed against Dennis Buzukja on DWCS last year and secured a contract with a unanimous decision victory. Across his five wins, his DWCS appearance represented his first decision win and first professional fight to go beyond the opening round.

His four previous wins, which all came consecutively under the promotional banners of Gladiator Challenge and Lights Out Xtreme Fighting, saw him record first-round knockouts every time. Heading into his chance to earn a UFC contract, 'The Gun' had secured his two previous wins in under 10 seconds. He'll look to bring that level of devastating striking to the octagon when he faces fellow debutant Colin Anglin this weekend.

The 28-year-old is a year younger than Baghdasaryan but boasts three more wins. The American also has one defeat in MMA, which came in his second bout. With five KO/TKO wins, Anglin is sure to match his opponent's explosive striking on Saturday.

Anglin is one to watch, Baghdasaryan is one to watch, and this fight is one to watch.

"Who knows me, they know. Who doesn't know, they will know." Melsik Baghdasaryan (@Melsik_The_Gun) believes he will put on an exciting show in his UFC debut against Collin Anglin at #UFCVegas33 🔉⬆️ pic.twitter.com/HafKXhXH5K

— UFC News (@UFCNews) July 29, 2021

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#1. Sean Strickland - UFC middleweight

UFC Fight Night: Strickland v Jotko

One of the top names on this weekend's card is Sean Strickland. His rise towards 185-pound title contention will hit a sizable block in the form of perennial contender Uriah Hall in this weekend's main event.

Strickland has only lost to the best. At welterweight, 'Tarzan' lost to Santiago Ponzinibbio and the current champion Kamaru Usman. Aside from that, a spinning wheel kick knockout against Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos is the only other blemish on his impressive record.

After a two-year layoff following a motorcycle accident, Strickland returned to middleweight in 2020, defeating Jack Marshman, highly-touted rising star Brendan Allen and top Polish 185-pounder Krzysztof Jotko. Having risen to eleventh spot in the rankings and extended his winning streak to four, Strickland will be looking to have his arm raised this weekend in his first UFC headliner against Hall.

Not only is Strickland one to watch for his talent inside the cage, he's also a name to look out for this weekend because of his entertaining comments and constant talking during his bouts.

Talkin' the 𝑻𝑨𝑳𝑲 🗣 @SStricklandMMA[ #UFCVegas33 | Saturday | LIVE on @ESPN / @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/h1IQfNvVP9

— UFC (@ufc) July 29, 2021