Preview: UFC 265 Prelims

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Bantamweights

NR | Johnny Munoz Jr. (10-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. NR | Jamey Simmons (7-3, 0-1 UFC)

ODDS: Munoz (-255), Simmons (+215)

Two bantamweights look for their first UFC win in this clash. Munoz came to the UFC with a pretty clear approach. “Kid Kvenbo” is not particularly comfortable on the feet, so he mostly just looks to take down his opponent and work for a submission finish. However, his UFC debut against Joseph Nathan Maness is cause for concern about what happens if Munoz cannot get that finish. Even though Munoz had a lot of success controlling the fight, his moments of offense were sparse enough that Maness walked away with the decision win. He will look to do better against Simmons, who drops down to 135 pounds after an unsuccessful UFC debut of his own.

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Simmons is raw but does look to be figuring out some things, as he will mix in some takedowns with some powerful but wild striking. “The Afro Samurai” was completely out of his depth in that UFC debut against Giga Chikadze, but with the move down in weight against a much less dangerous striker, Simmons figures to have a much more even fight. Munoz should have no trouble getting this to the mat; the issue is what exactly he can do once he gets there, given that Simmons has mostly been able to survive during the few times his fights have gone to the ground. This figures to look a lot like Munoz’s fight against Maness, with him controlling the fight but Simmons having the bigger moments of offense. It could be ugly. The pick is for Munoz to take the narrow decision.