Preview: UFC Fight Night 185 Prelims

RELENTLESS!! @JFlashGordonMMA finishes Quinones by TKO #UFCOKC pic.twitter.com/fJe3naL8bC

— #UFCOKC (@ufc) June 25, 2017

Featherweight

NR | Danny Chavez (11-3, 1-0 UFC) vs. NR | Jared Gordon (16-4, 4-3 UFC)

ODDS: Chavez (-140), Gordon (+120)

Finding some momentum in the UFC has been a little more difficult than expected for Gordon. “Flash” came into the UFC with an impressive resume and a style that looked like it would make for a smooth transition, mixing in relentless aggression with a solid wrestling game. That went well enough to start—save for some issues on the scale that forced Gordon up to lightweight—but a knockout loss to Diego Ferreira portended some future issues. Admittedly, a loss to Ferreira now looks much better than it did three years ago, but while Gordon can completely drown an overmatched opponent, he does not have quite the level of durability needed to get away with such an offensively focused style against the higher reaches of the UFC roster. A move down to featherweight might pay dividends, as Gordon looked good in a wrestling-heavy win over Chris Fishgold in July. He looks for a second straight win here against Chavez, who enjoyed an impressive UFC debut in August. What little pre-UFC footage was available of “The Colombian Warrior” showed a kick-heavy range game, but he also showed some fast hands and sharp counters in his win over T.J. Brown. That could be enough to crack Gordon early and end the fight quickly, but the bet is that “Flash” can be the first real test for Chavez’s takedown defense and get this to the mat at will. The pick is Gordon via decision.

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