Lightweights
Davi Ramos (9-2) vs. Austin Hubbard (10-2)ODDS: Ramos (-450), Hubbard (+360)
The UFC’s lightweight division is always ridiculously deep, and someone like Ramos can quietly slip under the radar. An accomplished Brazilian jiu-jitsu artist, Ramos drew a tough UFC debut in a late-notice spot, up a weight class against fellow grappling stud Sergio Moraes. Since moving back down to 155 pounds, Ramos has run through his competition without much trouble. Against Chris Gruetzemacher, Ramos spent a bit more time than preferred on the feet before finally taking things to the mat for the submission, but in his last two fights, he has stuck to what works, earning first-round submissions over Nick Hein and John Gunther. Like a few fighters on this card, Ramos should be set for a move up but instead gets a move back in competition, taking on a newcomer in Hubbard.
Hubbard is a perfectly fine fighter and earned this shot -- he won the Legacy Fighting Alliance lightweight title in December -- but it is hard to say much more than that at the moment. Despite scoring a late finish in that title fight against Killys Mota, Hubbard has mostly been a decision machine with a well-rounded style based around some nice boxing, but he has offered nothing amazingly impressive. Being a jack of all trades and master of none has its advantages, particularly since Hubbard has shown the toughness to survive adversity, but there is the risk that he will just find himself with nothing to rely on against a better level of competition.
This is some more strange matchmaking unless something else fell through, as Ramos should be past a fight like this. Ramos is hittable, so perhaps Hubbard can make something happen on the feet. However, with Ramos now being smarter about hunting takedowns and submissions, there is nothing to suggest that Hubbard can keep the fight on the feet once Ramos decides he wants to end it. The pick is Ramos via first-round submission.
Last Fights » ESPN+ Prelims