Middleweights
Andre Petroski (11-3, 6-2 UFC) vs. Dylan Budka (7-3, 0-1 UFC)This might not be the most exciting affair, but it’s nice to see Petroski keep getting work in and seeing what shakes out. Signed off the 2021 season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Petroski came to the UFC as a frustrating talent, having all the appearances of a dominant wrestler and grappler but never truly running over his opposition in the manner that was expected. Still, Petroski kept racking up wins against the bottom stretches of the UFC roster, eventually capping off a five-fight winning streak with impressive victories over Wellington Turman and Gerald Meerschaert. Neither were barnburners, but Petroski showed an ability to pace himself and a capable striking game—skills that he definitely lacked upon first hitting the Octagon. Now that Petroski is firmly established as a UFC-level middleweight, the next step is finding a way to break through into the top half of the division, particularly after losses to Michel Pereira and Jacob Malkoun. Petroski was athletically out of his depth and quickly annihilated by Pereira, but the fight against Malkoun showed that he still has some ground to gain even against his fellow slow-footed grapplers. After grinding out a win over Josh Fremd in July to get back in the win column, Petroski is back less than two months later for what figures to be a similar fight against Budka.
Budka is a 2023 graduate of Dana White’s Contender Series whose signing was a bit controversial. “The Mindless Hulk” did well to get a win on late notice and has the potential of youth, but his actual performance consisted of a low-output grind that didn’t suggest he was particularly ready for the UFC. Budka’s UFC debut against Cesar Almeida went about as expected. Budka successfully grinded things out up until the point that the Brazilian kickboxer found an opening to score a knockout. Things might not end quite as starkly here, but this looks like a fight where Petroski can neutralize Budka’s strengths, lean on being the better striker and outlast him late. The pick is Petroski via third-round stoppage.
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