Preview: UFC on ESPN 54 Prelims

Middleweights

Jacob Malkoun (7-3, 3-3 UFC) vs. Andre Petroski (10-2, 5-1 UFC)

ODDS: Malkoun (-205), Petroski (+170)

This should be a fascinating mirror match of sorts. Petroski was an interesting prospect on the regional scene, even if his game did seem to be less than the sum of its parts. A bruising wrestler and grappler, Petroski could run over some regional opposition at times, but the cracks in his game started to show even then. Petroski suddenly became much less effective in the face of even a little resistance, usually bringing some cardio issues to the forefront before the final horn. Even Petroski’s first few UFC wins were a bit disappointing, as Micheal Gillmore and Yaozong Hu figured to be walkover victories that he still needed three rounds to eventually put away. Come 2022, Petroski suddenly turned the tide as a much more effective fighter. He found an impressively quick submission against fellow standout grappler Nick Maximov, and while those cardio issues resurfaced against Wellington Turman and Gerald Meerschaert, Petroski was able to get both decision wins over the finish line, even showing some improved striking in the process. However, Petroski’s first UFC loss came in quick and brutal fashion against an elite athlete in Michel Pereira, so the Pennsylvanian is left to regroup against Malkoun. Australia’s Malkoun looked like the type of fighter who would wash out of the UFC in short order, as he was both inexperienced and unathletic; and losing to Phil Hawes in just 18 seconds in his UFC debut did not help that impression. However, “Mamba” has rebounded shockingly well by showing himself to be an intelligent game planner who can work his way to a win. That has mostly come via a dogged wrestling game, but a 2022 fight against Maximov showed that he can patiently outstrike a wrestler if needed. Malkoun also nearly got what would have been a breakthrough win over Brendan Allen but instead got handed a controversial decision loss. That made it even more of a letdown when Malkoun’s lone fight of 2023 saw him lose via disqualification, as he landed some illegal elbows in a fight he was otherwise dominating against Cody Brundage. This should be a coinflip, as each man looks to essentially do the same thing, keeping opponents honest with his striking before looking to embrace the grind. Petroski is clearly the more powerful athlete, but Malkoun is the smoother boxer with a better gas tank. The bet is that the Australian can survive some early trouble and take things over in the final two rounds. The pick is Malkoun via decision.

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