Preview: UFC on ABC 1 Prelims

Women’s Bantamweights

NR | Sarah Moras (6-6, 3-5 UFC) vs. NR | Vanessa Melo (10-8, 0-3 UFC)

ODDS: Moras (-240), Melo (+200)

When the UFC picked up Melo as a late replacement in 2019, it was a nice change of pace from most of its female Brazilian signees. While the promotion’s ranks are filled with athletes who quickly dispatched of overmatched opponents on the regional scene, Melo put together a strong strength of schedule while fighting around the world. It has not gotten her anywhere inside of the Octagon, however. While Melo has a clear process built around powerful counterpunching, her UFC tenure has shown that she is way too slow to effectively do so against this level of competition. Irene Aldana, Tracy Cortez and Karol Rosa each had little issue literally beating Melo to the punch. She might finally find some success here against Canada’s Moras, who has been trying to overcome a similar athleticism deficit over her time in the UFC. Moras at least had the good luck to win two of her first three UFC bouts, somehow doing so while spending most of her time on her back. Alexis Dufresne, Jessica Andrade and Ashlee Evans-Smith all took her down at will, but Dufresne gave away a decision via inactivity and Evans-Smith got caught in an armbar. After also struggling with some injury issues, “Cheesecake” has done well to start rounding out an aggressive game, but a lack of athleticism has limited her to just one win in her last five bouts. Melo may once again be at a speed disadvantage here, but this finally looks like a fight where she can make some hay against an aggressive opponent who lacks the defense necessary to avoid getting hit. Moras’ wrestling is a mild concern, but Melo should be the much harder hitter, which should help make up for any success “Cheesecake” has in terms of grappling or volume. The call is for Melo to get a decision victory.

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