Featherweights
Dennis Buzukja (11-4, 0-2 UFC) vs. Connor Matthews (7-1, 0-0 UFC)Two featherweight prospects look for their long-awaited first UFC win in this pairing. A two-time Dana White’s Contender Series alum, Buzukja was on the verge of a UFC contract for years before finally getting the late-notice call in August, though “The Great” has not gotten much of a chance to show off his wares in the two fights since. Buzukja is a dogged if fairly straightforward pressure fighter who was built to outlast opposition on the regional scene, but he got a tough draw for his UFC debut against Sean Woodson; and after putting in three rounds of solid work in a loss there, it was a shock when he got knocked out just 49 seconds into his last bout against Jamall Emmers. He gets a softer matchmaking touch against a UFC newcomer in Matthews, even if this shapes up to be a must-win situation. Massachusetts’ Matthews has had a similar path to a UFC contract, losing in his first Contender Series fight back in 2022 before earning a contract in a return visit in August. “The Controller” is a similar fighter. He is a more creative grappler than Buzukja but similarly likes to plug forward and see what shakes out. This is essentially a coinflip, but Buzukja looks to have the better gas tank and Matthews does not seem potent enough to spark him early like Emmers did. The pick is Buzukja via decision.
Jump To »
Emmers vs. Landwehr
Godinez vs. Jandiroba
Arce vs. Burns
Buzukja vs. Matthews
Aslan vs. Turkalj
Gatto vs. Dudakova
Malkoun vs. Petroski
Loughran vs. Pacheco