Preview: UFC Fight Night 202 Prelims

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Welterweights

NR | Ramiz Brahimaj (9-4, 1-2 UFC) vs. NR | Micheal Gillmore (6-4, 0-1 UFC)

ODDS: Brahimaj (-335), Gilmore (+260)

Brahimaj is obviously experiencing some growing pains at this point in his career, but he is still a prospect to watch. Heading into the UFC, Brahimaj’s game was almost entirely built around his wrestling and grappling, and that has still been the story through three trips to the Octagon. He had little to offer Max Griffin on the feet before nearly getting his earn torn off, and he was unable to do much against the stout well-roundedness of Court McGee. However, Brahimaj’s lone fight in between those losses—a quick submission win over Sasha Palatnikov—showed that he is capable of an impressive performance if he can get to the best parts of his game. That figures to be the case in this appearance, as Brahimaj steps in on short notice to take on a recent “Ultimate Fighter” alum in Gillmore. Initially an alternate during the 2021 season of the reality series, it was a bit of a surprise when “The Gentleman” got a late-notice UFC fight due to some injury-related shuffling. Gillmore gave a game effort in a loss to castmate Andre Petroski but mostly backed up the scouting report heading into the fight. Gillmore has some solid ideas as a well-rounded fighter, particularly based around his low kicks, but he did not separate himself as an athlete or a finisher even at the regional level. Gillmore might be tough enough to make this an ugly win for the Fortis MMA rep, but Brahimaj also figures to be able to get to his wrestling early and often, then hunt for a finish from there. The pick is Brahimaj via first-round submission.

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