Featherweights
Jack Jenkins (10-2, 0-0 UFC) vs. Don Shainis (12-4, 0-1 UFC)Hopes were high for Jenkins to show out as the next top Australian prospect heading into his 2022 fight on Dana White’s Contender Series, but the performance itself was a mixed bag. Jenkins did earn a late finish and a UFC contract, but it was a surprisingly wrestling-heavy showing that was a bit ugly to watch. Jenkins looks to be a well-rounded fighter with some solid physical strength, but he does not appear to have a ton of explosiveness to his offense, which could make for some wars of attrition as he attempts to work his way up the featherweight ladder. He gets a sneakily tough test in Don Shainis, who looks to rebound from an extremely disappointing UFC debut. The Massachusetts native has put his time in on the regional scene, working behind an impressively persistent approach focused on marching forward in search of a takedown. Shainis got a particularly tough ask in his UFC debut, stepping on late notice against Sodiq Yusuff, but the hope was that he could at least impress in a loss. Instead, Yusuff found a guillotine choke for the win in just 30 seconds. It would be impressive if Jenkins replicated something like that, but the UFC newcomer should be able to win an ugly fight. He looks capable of neutralizing Shainis’ wrestling and should separate himself as the much more consistent striker over the course of three rounds. The pick is Jenkins via decision.
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Jenkins vs. Shainis
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