Preview: UFC on ESPN 56 ‘Lewis vs. Nascimento’

Light Heavyweights

Carlos Ulberg (9-1, 5-1 UFC) vs. #11 LHW | Alonzo Menifield (15-3-1, 8-3-1 UFC)

ODDS: Ulberg (-245), Menifield (+205)

This should be entertaining, as it matches two light heavyweights who have made some unexpected improvements in recent years. Ulberg was one of the standouts of the 2020 edition of the Contender Series, as the New Zealander checked a lot of boxes. Raw as a mixed martial arts prospect but with a deep sporting background, “Black Jag” combined marketable looks with a knockout-heavy style and looked like he could make a quick run up the 205-pound ladder. Instead, Ulberg got derailed almost immediately. He shellacked Kennedy Nzechukwu early in his UFC debut, only to get about as exhausted as any fighter in UFC history once Nzechukwu survived and eventually put him away. Ulberg badly overcompensated in his next fight, essentially doing nothing in a brutal decision win over Fabio Cherant, who did even less. Ulberg has seemingly struck an effective balance in his four fights since. Up until his last win over Da Woon Jung, Ulberg had found most of his recent success as a patient counterstriker who could quickly find an opportunity to strike against overly aggressive opponents. However, the win over Jung saw Ulberg put together three strong rounds and unexpectedly find a submission in the last minute of the bout. Ulberg gets his toughest challenge yet against Menifield, who’s also rounded into career-best form.

A late comer to mixed martial arts after a career in football, Menifield had seemingly settled in as an effective but rudimentary slugger with a clear ceiling. Yet over the course of his own current five-fight undefeated streak, Menifield’s learned to stay patient and wait for his openings, which was most apparent in his win over Dustin Jacoby in December. Jacoby was the more practiced kickboxer and won the balance of the fight in terms of overall fight time, but Menifield won rounds on the basis of finding spots to rock him hard. A similar dynamic could play out here, and Menifield’s generally durable enough that there’s a solid chance he can bring back some of the issues that dogged Ulberg earlier in his career. Still, the read is that this one stays at a simmer and benefits Ulberg. He’s a more effective neutralizer than Jacoby and should be able to pick Menifield apart from range. Plus, Menifield seems less likely than ever to force the issue and throw down, for better or for worse. The pick is Ulberg via decision.

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Lewis vs. Nascimento
Buckley vs. Ruziboev
Ulberg vs. Menifield
Rebecki vs. Ferreira
Woodson vs. Caceres
Despaigne vs. Cortes-Acosta
The Prelims