Preview: UFC Fight Night 206 Prelims

Women’s Strawweights

Elise Reed (5-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Sam Hughes (6-4, 1-3 UFC)

ODDS: Reed (-170), Hughes (+140)

Two strawweights square off on relatively quick turnarounds, as they look to each build on the first momentum of their UFC careers. Hughes’ win over Istela Nunes in April was a nice bit of business after a frustrating UFC career to date. “Sampage” made it to the UFC less than two years into her pro career, so while she has a solid approach based around pressure, it is unsurprising that she came in much too raw to immediately succeed at this level. Of course, she was not helped by the matchmaking. Hughes figured to get torn apart by Tecia Torres in her late-notice debut, and then Konklak Suphisara and Luana Pinheiro each provided their own challenges in close quarters to easily overwhelm her over three rounds. After some rough early going against a reedy striker in Nunes, Hughes was thankfully able to steel herself and pressure her way to a victory; and she figures to have more physical parity against Reed—another fighter who likely got the UFC call much too early. While she impressed in terms of her regional success, she was still only four fights and, like Hughes, less than two years into her career before making it to the Octagon. Reed is still a tricky fighter to pin down, but she is well-rounded and looks to have some sneaky power in her hands. Athleticism is a clear concern, as she is a former atomweight and got demolished by ex-bantamweight Sijara Eubanks in a short-notice UFC debut up at 125 pounds. Against someone closer to her own size, Reed showed an ability to set a distance and pick apart Cory McKenna in an inconsistent performance that still earned her a decision win, which should serve her well against a come-forward fighter like Hughes. However, the bet is that Hughes can track Reed down and dictate the clinch and wrestling exchanges as the stronger athlete.

The pick is Hughes via decision.

Jump To »
Holmes vs. Amedovski
Almeida vs. Porter
Morales vs. Medic
Martinez vs. Morales
Colares vs. Hooper
Reed vs. Hughes