Preview: UFC 281 Prelims

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Light Heavyweights

Carlos Ulberg (6-1, 2-1 UFC) vs. Nicolae Negumereanu (13-1, 4-1 UFC)

ODDS: Ulberg (-120), Negumereanu (+100)

Ulberg looked absolutely electric in earning a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020, which only added to the considerable hype for “Black Jag”—a former rugby player and kickboxer also known for his good looks. Then came his UFC debut, which went well for a few minutes. However, Kennedy Nzechukwu refused to go away. Ulberg gave it a go but was absolutely exhausted, leaving himself open for a brutal knockout in the second round. It was nearly a year until Ulberg returned against Fabio Cherant in February in a fight that looked like a massive overcorrection for the Kiwi. Cherant had little to offer Ulberg, who stayed extremely patient for 15 interminable minutes as he picked off his counterpart from range. Things were much more entertaining for Ulberg in June, when he knocked out Tafon Nchukwi in just 75 seconds. That result gave Ulberg some of his momentum back but still leaves some major questions ahead of his latest assignment. Negumereanu’s stay in the UFC figured to be short-lived. His level of competition prior to his 2019 UFC debut was particularly weak, and the Romanian’s Octagon arrival saw him lose a grimy bout to the immortal Saparbek Safarov. After a two-year layoff, Negumereanu returned and has been unstoppable, winning four straight bouts in ugly fashion. Negumereanu does not look particularly skilled or smooth, but he appears impossible to knock out and has learned to embrace the grime, outlasting his opponents if not scoring an outright finish. There is certainly the potential that Ulberg can outmaneuver the much more plodding Negumereanu enough to coast to a decision win, but it seems likelier that the former kickboxer will slow down at some point. At that point, Negumereanu figures to make things absolutely miserable. The pick is Negumereanu via second-round stoppage.

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