Preview: UFC Fight Night 176 ‘Overeem vs. Sakai’

Women’s Bantamweights

Karol Rosa (13-3) vs. Sijara Eubanks (5-4)

ODDS: Rosa (-130), Eubanks (+100)

This is a sneakily intriguing women’s bantamweight bout. When the UFC put together a season of “The Ultimate Fighter” to crown its first women’s flyweight champion, it was a surprise when Eubanks made it to the final. Beyond being a raw prospect with low expectations, Eubanks had spent most of her career at 135 pounds. That eventually came home to roost when it was time for her title fight against Nicco Montano, as Eubanks had issues cutting weight that were so severe that she was eventually hospitalized and pulled from the fight. In the ensuing years, Eubanks has looked to be stuck in between divisions. As a flyweight, she can use her physical strength advantage to implement an effective wrestling and grappling game, but repeated issues on the scale have essentially forced her to ply her trade as a bantamweight. At 135 pounds, Eubanks does not have the size or strength to truly dominate fights like she did down a division. Cardio concerns have also reared their ugly head, particularly in a loss to Bethe Correia at UFC Fight Night 159, but “Sarj” rebounded with a strong performance against Sarah Moras in May and looks to follow it here against Rosa. Nothing about Rosa’s pre-UFC fights was particularly inspiring, but the Brazilian has been shockingly effective in her two appearances inside the Octagon. Rosa and Lara Fritzen Procopio threw over 650 combined strikes against each other, and she kept a similar pace against Vanessa Melo for a win in July. However, that comes with the caveat that she also got hit with nearly everything that was thrown her way, as well as the fact that Procopio and Melo are not anywhere near the level of athlete she faces in Eubanks. Rosa's ability to throw volume and set a pace is a real concern, but Eubanks should be able to overpower her at will. The pick is Eubanks via decision.

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