UFC Fight Night returns to Vegas once again after four brilliant cards on Fight Island. We preview the main event bout between undefeated Edmen Shahbazyan and brawler Derek Brunson.
Event Details
What event is this?
UFC Fight Night – Brunson vs Shahbazyan
Where is this event being held?
UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
How many bouts are on this card?
11 bouts (five on main card, six on prelims)
Which division has the most fights on the night?
Middleweight and Bantamweight
What time can I watch UFC Fight Night Brunson vs Shahbazyan in the UK?
Prelim action begins at midnight (UK Time) on BT Sport
UFC Fight Night Main Event: Derek Brunson (USA) vs Edmen Shahbazyan (USA)
The UFC Fight Night Main Event features a Middleweight bout between Edmen Shahbazyan and Derek Brunson. Both fighters are looking to move into the rankings and face a ranked opponent next.
Brunson (20-7)
A lot of the buzz behind this main event will go to the Edmen Shahbazyan, however Derek Brunson is no walkover opponent. The North Carolinian has a solid MMA record and is an experienced contender in the octagon. The 36-year-old may have some losses on his record, but they have all come against huge names such as Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, Ronaldo Souza and Yoel Romero. He did however lose to the ageing Anderson Silva by unanimous decision, which is the legendary Brazilian’s only win 2012.
In terms of his wins, Brunson has beaten some solid guys in the division like Lyoto Machida, Uriah Hall and most recently Ian Heinisch in August 2019. A win against a young prodigy like Shahbazyan would elevate him to get another shot against a top opponent and move his win streak to three bouts. However, five of his seven defeats have come by KO/TKO and he is a 12/5* underdog to produce an upset against Shahbazyan.
Shahbazyan (11-0)
At 22, Edmen Shahbazyan has the potential to be a real problem for the division. The exciting prospect, who was born in California and just a few hours from the UFC APEX, will expect to do gigantic things in the division. He is undefeated and since winning Dana White’s Contender Series in July 2018, has defeated the likes of Charles Byrd and most recently Brad Tavares.
What makes the young star so exciting in the UFC Middleweight Division has to be the amount of stoppages on his record. Nine of his 11 wins have come by KO/TKO. He is a first round fighter, and the only time he has fought for longer was against Darren Stewart in the Ultimate Fighter Finale, in which Shahbazyan got the split decision. The win over Tavares came by a punishing headkick, making for a highly anticipated main event between these two fighters. Shahbazyan is a 3/10 favourite to go 12-0 and earn a bout against a decent-ranked opponent.
*Odds as of the time of writing (Wednesday 29th July) and subject to change
Joanne Calderwood with one eye on Valentina Shevchenko
The softly spoken Scot is anything but soft in the cage, with a 14-4 pro MMA record and wins over Ariane Lipski, Cortney Casey and most recently Andrea Lee. “JoJo” has been training since her last fight and was waiting for the all clear that champion Valentina Shevchenko would be available to fight next, however she is out for several months. Not wanting to wait around, the 33-year-old Glaswegian has taken it upon herself to accept a short notice bout against Brazilian Jennifer Maia. This is the co-main event in the first UFC Fight Night of August.
Maia is 2-2 in the UFC, having lost to Katlyn Chookagian in her most recent bout in November 2019. She has some impressive wins outside the UFC, however, particularly back in 2012 when she beat Jessica Andrade, an opponent Calderwood lost to in 2016. However, the impetus seems to be far greater for Calderwood, who knows that she needs to get a win and keep active to get to the front of the queue for a fight with Shevchenko for the belt. Had she not taken this fight, Chookagian or Cynthia Calvillo could leapfrogged her as a challenger for the UFC Women’s Flyweight title. Calderwood is a favourite here at 8/13* to secure a win at UFC Fight Night with Mark Jarvis.
*Odds as of the time of writing (Wednesday 29th July) and subject to change
UFC Fight Night Preliminary Card
Bantamweight: Chris Gutierrez vs Cody Durden
Featherweight: Jamall Emmers vs Timur Valiev
Middleweight: Eric Spicely vs Martuz Perez
Bantamweight: Ray Borg vs Nate Maness
Light Heavyweight: Ed Herman vs Gerald Meerschaert
Bantamweight: Frankie Saenz vs Jonathan Martinez
UFC Fight Night Main Card
Middleweight: Kevin Holland vs Trevin Giles
Lightweight: Lando Vannata vs Bobby Green
Welterweight: Vicente Luque vs Randy Brown
Women Flyweight: Joanne Calderwood vs Jennifer Maia
Middleweight: Derek Brunson vs Edmen Shahbazyan
Sam’s UFC Fight Night Brunson vs Shahbazyan Betting Tips
*Odds as of the time of writing (Wednesday 29th July) and subject to change
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Sam is an experienced content writer with a history of working in the sports industry. Sam is a media and communication professional with a bachelor's degree focused in Sports Studies.
