Bantamweights
NR | Chad Anheliger (11-5, 0-0 UFC) vs. NR | Jesse Strader (5-2, 0-1 UFC)Strader has some potential as a prospect. “Sui Generis” has a more dedicated process than a lot of inexperienced UFC newcomers, focusing on pressure and combinations with an impressive emphasis on work to the body. However, it does feel like he got the UFC call a few years too early. Strader has not built out his game much past his core strengths, and he is prone to charging right into his opponent’s offense and getting knocked out. He was in a particularly rough spot for his late-notice debut against Montel Jackson, and after unsurprisingly suffering a quick finish loss there, he will look to rebound against a UFC newcomer in Anheliger. Canada’s Anheliger was quite well-traveled by the time he got his shot on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021. A professional since 2010, Anheliger had a rocky start to his career before starting his current winning streak in 2016. Not much was expected of Anheliger against the much more well-regarded Muin Gafurov in their DWCS bout. However, Anheliger impressively gutted out a decision win by effectively neutralizing and countering whatever Gafurov brought to the table. This figures to be another rough night for Strader. Anheliger has shown he can fight through danger and also flashed the ability to crack an aggressive opponent at moments during the Gafurov fight—something the Canadian should be able to do in short order against someone with Strader’s approach. The pick is Anheliger via first-round knockout.
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