Bantamweights
Long Xiao (26-7, 0-0 UFC) vs. Chang Ho Lee (9-1, 0-0 UFC)After a few delays, the bantamweight final of the 2023 “Road to UFC” tournament takes place here. This marks the second shot at a UFC contract for China’s Xiao, who had a fun if unsuccessful fight against Cristian Quinonez on the Contender Series in 2021. Xiao had to skate by with two close decision wins to make it to the final, but he did show once again that he’s a perennial tough out. His game might not be the prettiest, but his combination of durability, strength and willingness to sling heat makes him a nuisance for each of his opponents. He figures to cause some trouble for South Korea’s Lee, who looks to be the more technically sound fighter but also needed to thread the needle to get this far. Lee dominated opening-round opponent Rana Rutra Pradap Singh but struggled against Chinese wrestler Daermisi Zhawupasi before staging a third-round comeback. Lee has been able to cause some damage with his ground-and-pound and he generally seems like the more potent fighter, but the lean is that Xiao can stay aggressive enough and muck this up to the point that he can score an ugly win. The pick is Xiao via decision.
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Magomedov vs. Lutterbach
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Xiao vs. Lee