Heavyweight
Shamil Abdurakhimov (17-4) vs. Chase Sherman (11-3)ANALYSIS: Want your mind blown? The last time Abdurakhimov fought, he headlined a UFC card against Derrick Lewis in the state capital of New York. Is your mind still functional? Abdurakhimov had won the first three rounds against “The Black Beast” before being knocked out in the fourth. Sherman, who just turned 28 a week ago, has shown some real flashes of talent in his last two UFC bouts, devastating Rashad Coulter in May and then hammering out a decision over Polish veteran Damian Grabowski in July. The 6-foot-4 American is a plus athlete, especially for a heavyweight, upping his offensive output, throwing volume without gassing himself and, in general, doing things rare for underdeveloped heavyweights. Abdurakhimov is a stylistic problem, though. The Russian is a national master of sport in sanda, but it is not his striking that pays his bills. “Abrek” is a stout, bruising wrestler who cleverly uses short bursts of counterstrikes to set up his takedowns and then simply grinds out his opposition. Despite his recent improvements in the cage and on social media, Sherman has not had to deal with a no-nonsense wrestler like this, one who will not engage in wild exchanges but rather seek to grab the first kick he can, tackle Sherman to the mat and work as economically as possible until the final horn. Sherman will need to show even more growth to succeed here, chiefly a fluid sprawl-and-brawl game. Abdurakhimov buys the dirty takedowns necessary to take the better part of 10 minutes and wins a competitive decision over three rounds.
Women’s Bantamweight
Gina Mazany (4-1) vs. Yanan Wu (9-1)ODDS: Mazany (-140), Wu (+120)
ANALYSIS: It is a well-trodden trope at this point in the modern UFC climate that many capable fighters debut under adverse circumstances, and Mazany was one of them. In February, she stepped in for Liz Carmouche on just over two weeks’ notice to tangle with Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann, who choked her out in just 74 seconds. Her second UFC bout is more hospitable but far from a walkover, as Mazany meets one of the real Chinese talents on this card. The 21-year-old Wu is a sanda practitioner and understudy of Qin Lizi, who took gold medal honors when the traditional martial art was demonstrated as an Olympic sport at the 2008 Beijing Games. Wu has faced absolutely dreadful opposition en route to her padded 9-1 record, yet she has not exactly disappointed against weak opposition. The wushu expert has shown an aggressive and accurate punching and kicking game, as well as offensive skills in the clinch. However, the only serious opponent she has faced, former Invicta Fighting Championships title challenger Yana Kunitskaya, easily took her down and smashed her on the ground in less than six minutes, leaving her looking clueless. Subsequent bouts have shown that Wu has dedicated herself more to the ground game, but Xtreme Couture’s Mazany is first and foremost a physically strong, clinch-based wrestler who thrives on taking top position and pounding away, just as Kunitskaya did. Wu has a chance for a surprise, breakout win, but look for the American, with the benefit of a full camp, to impose her top game and take a unanimous decision over the Chinese fighter, who is always too eager to close the distance.
Featherweight
Rolando Dy (8-6-1) vs. Lijiburen Wu (10-4)ODDS: Dy (-160), Wu (+140)
ANALYSIS: Dy has caught a raw deal in his first five months of UFC employ, but that nightmarish stretch looks to be coming to an end, as he takes on Chinese debutant Wu. Dy’s Octagon debut came on short notice against Alex Caceres at UFC Fight Night 111 in June, when he had his eye battered for 10 minutes. In September, he survived a five-minute beating from Teruto Ishihara but missed out salvaging a draw, winning the final two rounds but losing a point for low blows in Round 3. Wu is a heavy-swinging kickboxer with some raw horsepower; his greatest career highlight is his January knockout of Beno Adamia, whom he picked up in a Karl Gotch-style piledriver and then powerbombed him so hard the Georgian kneed himself in the face. His Filipino foe is not going to force that grappling game, though. Dy is perhaps too passive at times, but he remains a speedy, accurate counterstriker with a deeper toolbox than Wu, and when he does throw, “The Incredible” does it in combination. Dy will have hard-charging target in this tilt, ripe for countering, and should put his ambidextrous punching and kicking together for a unanimous verdict.
Heavyweight
Cyril Asker (8-3) vs. Yaozong Hu (3-0)ODDS: Asker (-260), Hu (+220)
ANALYSIS: Asker was facing the reality of going 1-3 in the UFC when he was lined up to face James Mulheron on this card, but the Brit’s being flagged for a potential USADA violation has thrust inexperienced Chinese heavyweight Hu into the mix, giving Asker a chance to even his UFC mark at 2-2. Hu, 23, is a big-bodied southpaw kickboxer with above-average athleticism, and he has even spent some time recently at Jackson-Wink MMA. However, like so many of his fellow Chinese fighters, he has faced horrendous opposition and his pro career covers just three wins in a mere 11 months. France’s Asker may be a lower-rung UFC heavyweight, but his January thrashing of Dmitry Smoliakov is a reminder that he is not without some skills. Asker has competent standup and should be able to punch his way into the clinch. It is possible Hu shrugs off Asker and tags him, but the balance of probabilities suggests the “Silverback” gets Hu to the floor, passes guard and either pounds the late replacement to a stoppage or opens up a mercy-kill submission.