Welterweights
Kevin Jousset (9-2, 1-0 UFC) vs. Kenan Song (20-7, 5-3 UFC)This is an interesting clash of styles that should hopefully provide some intrigue. Song kicked off his UFC career with a 15-second knockout of Bobby Nash back in 2017, which just about told the story of how “The Assassin” gets his victories, as he is a standout athlete who hits like an absolute truck. Despite that knockout power, Song has hit a clear ceiling thanks to his limitations, as he does not offer much outside of his power game and is often much too patient for his own good. Song has enjoyed a relatively strong year in 2023 after a long layoff. He put a scare into top prospect Ian Garry in March, then managed to string together enough offense to outpoint Rolando Bedoya for a decision victory in August. Jousset makes for an interesting next challenge, as both men have a clear path to get the type of fight they want.
A Frenchman fighting out of New Zealand, Jousset is not a particularly exciting fighter, but he is sneakily effective. He is a large welterweight who is stiff as a striker but durable enough to pick his spots and get to a solid wrestling and grappling game. Things went particularly well in Jousset’s UFC debut, as he tapped out Kiefer Crosbie within a round in September. Song is enough of a blank defensive slate that Jousset can certainly find his way to a finish on the mat, but he is probably going to get absolutely clocked in the process, so this fight essentially comes down to whether or not he can absorb punches from the hardest hitter he has faced yet. That is an open question, but he does not get the benefit of the doubt. The pick is Song via first-round knockout.
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Song vs. Gutierrez
Rountree vs. Smith
Elliott vs. Mudaerji
Haqparast vs. Mullarkey
Park vs. Muniz
Jousset vs. Song
The Prelims