Preview: UFC Fight Night 240 ‘Allen vs. Curtis 2’

Featherweights

Morgan Charriere (19-9-1) vs. Jose Mariscal (15-6, 1 NC)

Odds: Charriere (-122), Mariscal (+102)

The UFC's September card from Paris was electric throughout, and the promotional debut of Charriere stood out as a highlight. One of France's most popular fighters, "The Last Pirate" has had some inconsistent results over the last decade, but you wouldn't know it from his performance against Manolo Zecchini, which saw him blast the Italian fighter with some brutal kicks to the body to score a quick finish. Charriere's a well-rounded fighter whose main issue has been being too patient for his own good, and that issue is still present at times while he waits for the perfect moment to strike; but at the very least, when Charriere hits on something that works, he's shown the ability to jump on a finish once he's blown the fight open. That might be tough against Mariscal, who's made his name as a tough out in two UFC fights to date. A well-seasoned vet when he got the late-notice call last June, Mariscal showed his strength as a scrapper by surviving and outlasting knockout artist Trevor Peek in a wild fight, then scored another massive upset over Jack Jenkins in a fight that was rather even before a sudden injury stoppage. Given how difficult it is to knock out Mariscal, Charriere is probably in for fifteen hard minutes, but the Frenchman should be able to get this over the finish line; part of Mariscal's aggression typically involves some wrestling, and Charriere's skilled on the mat on top of his capabilities for landing some powerful strikes. It might not be a complete showcase, but the pick is Charriere via decision.

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Allen vs. Curtis
Hernandez vs. Jackson
Charriere vs. Mariscal
Bahamondes vs. Giagos
Walker vs. Brzeski
Peek vs. Campbell
The Prelims