Bantamweights
Bernardo Sopai (11-3, 0-1 UFC) vs. Ricky Turcios (12-4, 2-2 UFC)ODDS: Sopai (-278), Turcios (+225)
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Turcios didn’t figure to have a high ceiling after winning Season 29 of “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2021, but his UFC career has been a bit of a disappointment. Nothing about his game has ever been particularly pretty, but Turcios has usually at least been content to throw out a lot of messy volume in the hopes of wearing out his opponents. Turcios has been inconsistent in terms of fighting behind that game plan, with a 2022 loss to Aiemann Zahabi standing out as a particularly strange affair where he threw out a lot of feints from range while actually accomplishing little. Turcios has moved back in a more effective direction in his last two bouts, even if that does include a submission loss to Raul Rosas Jr. in a grappling-heavy affair in June. He should at least be able to test Sopai’s ability to keep up a pace in this fight. It wouldn’t be a shock if Sopai’s gas tank betrayed him once again, but the hope is that he will have more staying power in a fight that wasn’t made on late notice. If he does, his punching power and wrestling ability should be able to keep him ahead of Turcios. The pick is Sopai via decision.
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