Preview: UFC 236 ‘Holloway vs. Poirier 2’

Welterweights

Curtis Millender (17-4) vs. Belal Muhammad (14-3): This is an interesting bout between two welterweights who would do well to regain some lost momentum. After a rough start to his UFC tenure, Muhammad recovered to put together a four-fight winning streak, but his last bout against Geoff Neal showed that he will always have some issues against better athletes. Muhammad is a well-rounded fighter who is capable of adjusting throughout a fight to break down an opponent, but Neal managed to consistently beat Muhammad to the punch by an ever-increasing margin. That could make for a tough time against Millender, who excelled as a range kickboxer during his breakthrough campaign a year ago but got off to a rough start in 2019, as Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos exposed his subpar wrestling and grappling defense in a quick win. If Muhammad presses his wrestling, there is a path to victory, but Millender is exactly the type of lanky athlete who can keep Muhammad at range and possibly catch him cold before he finds a rhythm. The pick is Millender via first-round knockout. ODDS: Muhammad (-135), Millender (+115)

Bantamweights

Montel Jackson (7-1) vs. Andre Soukhamthath (13-6): Jackson is a prospect to watch, as he has already overcome the UFC’s early attempts to ruin him. Jackson is a rangy striker who is still less than two years into his pro career. After Jackson showed some potential but lost a tough fight to Ricky Simon, the UFC strangely gave him a similar bout against an even more proven opponent in Brian Kelleher. This time around, Jackson scored a quick knockout, so at least he is managing to improve and learn as he goes through the ringer. Jackson takes on Soukhamthath, who has settled in as a solid prospect gatekeeper as he works out the issues in his own game. Soukhamthath is a slow starter who takes time to adjust, but he also tends to gas out late in fights, leaving him without energy when he should be at his most effective. Soukhamthath does not seem like the type of fighter who will use enough pressure to bother Jackson, but he is also tough enough that it would be impressive if Jackson got him out of there. The pick is Jackson via decision, but this should be a solid bit of work. ODDS: Jackson (-485), Soukhamthath (+385)

Women’s Flyweights

Lauren Mueller (5-1) vs. Poliana Botelho (7-2): Mueller is somewhat forgotten as a prospect, but she has the ability to make some noise in the fledgling flyweight division. Mueller came into the UFC incredibly raw, as her pre-Octagon record involved pure can crushing, but between her Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series and UFC bouts, she has shown the ability to apply a strong pressure style and gut through adversity. However, she remains a novice, as her last fight showed, as she was getting the better of things before suffering a flash armbar loss to Yanan Wu. She will welcome Botelho up a weight class at 125 pounds. Botelho has impressive power but her style is all big single shots, and opponents like Pearl Gonzalez and Cynthia Calvillo have managed to do well by trying to force a clinch or wrestling game. It will be interesting to see how Botelho looks at flyweight, particularly if her power carries up and she finds some newfound speed relative to opponents, but Mueller fights via a much better process. The pick is Mueller via decision. ODDS: Botelho (-165), Mueller (+145)

Bantamweights

Brandon Davis (9-5) vs. Randy Costa (4-0): It did not translate to a ton of wins, but 2018 saw Davis become a bit of a cult favorite due to his willingness to take fights and bring the action; the Alan Belcher protege fought four times over the course of the year and looked to brawl each time out, even if his opponents did not always meet him on his terms. After recovering from some injuries suffered against Zabit Magomedsharipov, Davis makes a surprising cut to 135 pounds to take on a debuting Joe Lauzon disciple in Costa. There are things to like about Costa, but he is ridiculously raw: His wins are all quick knockouts over subpar competition. Costa’s vast array of kicks probably will not work with Davis marching him down, as Costa responded poorly to what little pressure he has seen in his career thus far. Add in Davis’ toughness, and unless the cut to bantamweight has completely drained the Mississippi native of his stamina and durability, this is way too much too soon for the debuting prospect. The pick is Davis via second-round stoppage. ODDS: Davis (-165), Costa (+145)