Preview: UFC 239 ‘Jones vs. Santos’

Middleweights

Edmen Shahbazyan (9-0, -525) vs. Jack Marshman (23-8, +415): He has the trappings of someone who gained easy entry into the UFC -- he is managed by Ronda Rousey and operates out of the Glendale Fighting Club -- but Shahbazyan has made the most of the opportunity and become an interesting prospect. His pre-UFC record was mostly fluff, all quick finishes over lacking opposition, but he has shown some other skills since starting his career in the Octagon. Against Darren Stewart, Shahbazyan shockingly fought against type and wrestled his way to a decision victory, and his last fight saw him go back to his finishing ways, as he destroyed Charles Byrd with elbows when he went in for a takedown. Shahbazyan is still raw and it is unclear how well these knockouts will translate as he moves up the ladder, but Marshman provides a solid next test. Marshman has been a reliably fun brawler who has continually stayed in his fights but plateaued in fairly short order, as his game is limited and he is not much of an athlete. He is fighting a bit smarter -- his last bout against John Phillips saw the Welshman actually shy away from an all-out brawl and fight more from a distance -- but Shahbazyan should at least be able to rely on his wrestling game if things get hairy. There figures to be some valuable work in this for Shahbazyan, as Marshman will be difficult to put away. The pick is Shahbazyan via decision.

Welterweights

Ismail Naurdiev (18-2, -450) vs. Chance Rencountre (13-3, +360): Naurdiev has been one of the most pleasant surprises of 2019. “The Austrian Wonderboy” made his late-notice debut in February and figured to be the latest victim in the winning streak of Michel Prazeres. Instead, Naurdiev showed up in career-best form, stifled the Brazilian’s wrestling game and earned a shocking upset win. For an encore, he draws an Alliance MMA product in Rencountre, who is coming off of a January win against Kyle Stewart. Rencountre is a perfectly fine fighter, adopting the motion-heavy Alliance style along with some decent wrestling, but Naurdiev can probably once again keep things standing and pick him apart. Rencountre could make this frustrating, so this may not be the showcase fight the UFC intended for Naurdiev. The pick is Naurdiev via decision.

Women’s Bantamweights

Julia Avila (5-1, -235) vs. Pannie Kianzad (11-4, +195): It is good to see Kianzad back in the UFC. Kianzad has traveled a rough road as a prospect. In retrospect, she was rushed into an Invicta Fighting Championships title shot, and a one-sided loss to Tonya Evinger gave way to nearly three years without a win. However, Kianzad eventually found her footing and looked like the favorite on paper to win the most recent season of “The Ultimate Fighter” before she ran into surging talent Macy Chiasson in the final. After one fight back in Europe, “Banzai” steps in on late notice to take on a newcomer in Avila, who also brings some badly needed fresh blood to a shallow division. Avila consistently brings aggression to the cage and has some knockout power, which is nice to see on the distaff side of things; and there is a chance that consistent violence can break Kianzad and allow the “Raging Panda” to take over. With that said, there is also a decent chance that Avila’s wildness just leaves her open for Kianzad’s takedowns and control. The pick is Kianzad via decision.