Preview: UFC 275 ‘Teixeira vs. Prochazka’

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Flyweights

#14 FLW | Manel Kape (17-6, 2-2 UFC) vs. #8 FLW | Rogerio Bontorin (16-4, 2-3 UFC)

ODDS: Kape (-220), Bontorin (+180)

Kape does appear to be turning a corner, but this fight should do much to explain exactly where the former Rizin Fighting Federation bantamweight champion stands. Kape came to the UFC in early 2021 with some rightful hype based on his resume as a successful knockout artist in Japan, but that made his first two trips to the Octagon all the more frustrating. “Starboy” is a nuclear athlete even for the flyweight division, which allowed him to get by with a patient style focused on ending the fight in a few moments of huge offense. However, when Kape got thrown two tough and durable opponents in Alexandre Pantoja and Matheus Nicolau to kick off his UFC career, that just resulted in his low-volume approach costing him two decisions on the scorecards. Kape did rebound impressively over the back half of the year: He found a much-needed finish with a spectacular flying knee against Ode Osbourne and then kept pace with a shockingly aggressive Zhalgas Zhumagulov to score the first-round knockout. It remains unclear if Kape has made the necessary mindset changes to actually lead the dance of his own volition, and his ability to do so could be quite important against Bontorin. The 30-year-old Bontorin is a fireplug of a fighter who also has a low-volume and high-power approach, though in the Brazilian’s case that involves a lot more pressure in the name of getting to his wrestling and grappling. In turn, that also means Bontorin keeps marching forward while eating most of his opponent’s offense, with only Kai Kara France proving capable of actually putting his lights out. Bontorin is not usually reckless in throwing his own offense, which makes this a bit strange of a proposition. Were he to come out with the same type of recklessness as Zhumagulov, this would be an easier call for Kape, but Pantoja was able to throw the Angolan contender off his game a bit by combining pressure with a more measured approach in terms of volume. The bet is that Bontorin provides enough defensive openings that Kape eventually lands something huge no matter which way “Starboy” approaches this fight. With that said, this would be a great time for Kape to press the action on his own and make this a much clearer win. The pick is Kape via first-round knockout.

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Teixeira vs. Prochazka
Shevchenko vs. Santos
Zhang vs. Jedrzejczyk
Kape vs. Bontorin
Della Maddalena vs. Emeev
The Prelims