Featherweights
Francis Marshall (6-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Marcelo Rojo (16-8, 0-2 UFC)Marshall was one of the more interesting contract winners on the 2022 edition of Dana White’s Contender Series, so it will be fascinating to see how this UFC debut goes. New Jersey’s Marshall was solid if unspectacular in his decision win over fellow prospect Connor Matthews, but that is the promising part for him. Other prospects may have more spectacular moments, but it is impressive that Marshall is already a well-rounded fighter at just 23 years of age. There is a lot to build on, but it will require experience, so this debut against Rojo looks to be the right kind of test, even if it is a bit tricker of a fight than it may appear. Argentina’s Rojo was a well-traveled vet on the verge of a UFC callup for years until he finally got his shot in 2021, and the promotion has not done him many favors in terms of matchmaking, giving him tough opponents in Charles Jourdain and Kyler Phillips. Rojo suffered a third-round defeat in each of those fights but showed himself to be a tough out. He can hold his own just about anywhere and is definitely talented enough to beat fighters on this roster, but he has found himself outmatched by faster athletes. Rojo should once again force a difficult fight for Marshall, but the American does rely on his wrestling as a failsafe and should be able to find some takedowns against an opponent with vulnerable wrestling defense. It will not be a blowout, but the pick is Marshall via decision.
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Marshall vs. Rojo
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