Preview: UFC on ESPN 60 ‘Lemos vs. Jandiroba’

Featherweights

Steve Garcia (15-5) vs. Seung Woo Choi (11-6)
Odds: Garcia (-148), Choi (+124)

When the UFC picked Garcia up on late notice in 2020, "Mean Machine" looked like the type of fighter -- aggressive but under-athletic -- that might bring a ton of entertainment but find little success, a diagnosis that only got stronger after he dropped a wrestling-heavy debut to Luis Pena. But if that was supposed to be the case, somebody forgot to tell Garcia, who's won four out of his last five. Admittedly, there's a quick knockout loss to Hayisaer Maheshate in that mix, but Garcia has proven dogged and violent otherwise; he can get outwrestled and often has to dig his way out of a hole, but Garcia has continually stormed back and found knockout after knockout, including some particularly vicious ground-and-pound.

Choi is next up for Garcia and should be both a dangerous opponent and potentially winnable matchup. Choi's had an up-and-down UFC career, starting out as a sharp striker but seemingly falling in love with the knockout at some point to some negative results; losses to Alex Caceres, Josh Culibao and Michael Trizano were all fun, but really felt like fights that Choi could've taken had he not over-extended himself trying to add to his highlight reel. A much-needed win over Jarno Errens last August was a bit more measured, but it's also hard not to see Choi consenting once Garcia looks to instigate a brawl, which should happen sooner rather than later. Either man is fully capable of getting knocked out, but Garcia seems more comfortable in the chaos; the pick is Garcia via first-round knockout.

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Lemos vs. Jandiroba
Tavares vs. Park
Garcia vs. Choi
Holobaugh vs. Kruschewsky
Durden vs. Silva
Choi vs. Algeo
The Prelims