Preview: UFC Fight Night 234 Prelims

Flyweights

Joshua Van (9-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Felipe Bunes (13-6, 0-0 UFC)

ODDS: Van (-218), Bunes (+180)

Van stepped in for this fight on a few weeks’ notice, and it is a welcome opportunity to see one of the flyweight division’s most promising prospects back in action. Just 22 years old, Van was clearly ready for bigger things after less than two years on the regional scene, and he has continued to improve during his brief time with the UFC. Watching Van, it is obvious in short order that he is a potent offensive force, but he has quickly become more comfortable throwing out consistent output on the feet while also showing some rapidly improving wrestling chops to fully round out his game. Defense is still somewhat optional for Van, so he might suffer some lumps moving up the flyweight ladder, but every indication is that he is a prospect who will round into championship-level form given more experience. To that end, Felipe Bunes is a solid next test.

Despite this marking the Brazilian’s UFC debut, Bunes has over a decade of pro experience at this point and is quite battle tested. “Felipinho” figures to be a perennial tough out for as long as he sticks around at the UFC level, but it will be interesting to see if Bunes can make his game work in a way that consistently wins fights. The Brazilian fights behind a patient approach focused on landing single dynamic moments of offense, which has led to some performances where he simply coasts to a loss. Bunes is also buoyed by a large frame for the flyweight division, so there is a chance that Van charges right into danger and suffers his first UFC loss. Still, the surer bet seems to be that the top prospect can put in three rounds of work for a complete showing. The pick is Van via decision.

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