Preview: UFC Fight Night 182 Prelims

Bantamweights

Gustavo Lopez (11-5) vs. Anthony Birchak (16-6)

ODDS: N/A

This should be a banger. Lopez rose up the ranks as an entertaining knockout artist but did not get to show much in his UFC debut, as he stepped in on extremely late notice to face Merab Dvalishvili in June and mostly got outwrestled. To his credit, Lopez kept trying to make something happen for all 15 minutes, and he should be able to show his wares against a UFC returnee. Birchak had a fun stint in the UFC from 2014 to 2016, but his contract surprisingly was not renewed despite that fact that “El Toro” ended his four-fight run with a win. Most of Birchak’s previous UFC career was spent in kill-or-be-killed affairs, but he has mixed in his wrestling more in the years since, which should serve him well in this matchup. However, keeping up the grind for 15 minutes remains a concern with Birchak, particularly with his stepping in on late notice. The pick is for Lopez to stage a comeback and score a third-round stoppage.