Preview: UFC Fight Night 183 Prelims

"I NEED THAT CONTRACT, DANA!"

Drako Rodriguez didn't come to Vegas to mess around.

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— UFC (@ufc) September 9, 2020

Bantamweight

NR | Drako Rodriguez (7-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. NR | Aiemann Zahabi (7-2, 1-2 UFC)

ODDS: Rodriguez (-185), Zahabi (+160)

This is a difficult fight to call, if only because there are still a lot of questions about Rodriguez. “The Great Drakolini” definitely has some sharp submission skills, as evidenced by his quick Dana White’s Contender Series win in September. Those should notch him a few wins inside of the Octagon, but there also is not much evidence about what Rodriguez can do against better competition if he cannot get the quick finish. That is important against Zahabi, who should at least have the grappling acumen to hang with Rodriguez early. The brother of Tristar coach Firas Zahabi, the Canadian has the well-rounded set of skills you would expect from that schooling, if not the temperament. Zahabi is more than willing to go along with a brawl, even when his lack of athleticism does not make that advisable. Rodriguez looks like the quicker and more powerful striker, but that is more projection than anything he has proven thus far. The pick is Rodriguez via third-round stoppage.

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