Preview: UFC Fight Night 207 ‘Volkov vs. Rozenstruik’

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Women’s Flyweights

Karine Silva (14-4, 0-0 UFC) vs. Poliana Botelho (8-4, 3-3 UFC)

ODDS: Silva (-125), Botelho (+105)

If nothing else, these two should combine for a banger for as long as this fight lasts. Botelho is in the middle of a rough stretch, but what success she has found at the UFC level has happened via her aggression, whether it was her 33-second knockout of Syuri Kondo—set up by her signature kick to the body—or attempting to smother her opponent in the clinch or on the mat. However, that aggression has been a double-edged sword for the Brazilian. As a late starter to the sport and not much of an athlete, she is often willing to charge right into her opponent’s best weapons, particularly in grappling exchanges. A decision loss to Luana Carolina a bit over a year ago was a worrying sign for Botelho, as rather than run into her usual issues, she just lost a slog against a larger opponent. She will look to stop a two-fight skid against a debuting countrywoman in Silva. A quick look at Silva’s record tells the story of her approach. “Killer” is mostly focused on getting the quick finish, particularly via a venomous submission game. During the rare times Silva has been dragged into deeper water, things have gone south. Even in her Dana White’s Contender Series win over Qihui Yan, Silva was exhausted by the second round, though she still managed to end the fight with a guillotine choke. Botelho’s aggression means Silva is going to get plenty of openings at another early submission, but this is basically a coinflip; Botelho would be Silva’s biggest win to date. Since Silva is going to get exactly the fight she wants, she gets the slight nod, even though it is not a guarantee that she will find that early finish. The pick is Silva via first-round submission.


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Volkov vs. Rozenstruik
Evloev vs. Ige
Trizano vs. Almeida
Silva vs. Botelho
Menifield vs. Mozharov
Herrig vs. Kowalkiewicz
The Prelims