UFC 307 Preview

early prelims

Court McGee vs Tim Means (UFC Welterweight Bout) - McGee has not been on a roll in the UFC, losing his last three fights with two of those ending by first-round knockout and his most recent loss by unanimous decision against Alex Morono at UFC Vegas 90. The Crusher is a danger on the ground with eight of his 22 victories ending by submission, despite only two occurring in the UFC. In his first PPV event since December 2015 at UFC 194, McGee will aim for redemption and get back in the win column.

Means last fight did not go as planned when he suffered a first-round TKO loss to Uros Medic at UFC Vegas 91. Out of 33 wins, 25 of those fight have ended in a stoppage as The Dirty Bird has earned 20 KO/TKO and five submissions as its very rare to see a fight go the distance when Means is involved. The Wilburton-born fighter will try to go back to winning ways and continue to impress at the age of 40.

Carla Esparza vs Tecia Pennington (UFC Women's Bantamweight Bout) - Esparza last fought at UFC 281 when she lost the Strawweight title to Zhang Weili by second-round submission. The former two-time 115-pound UFC Champion has finished eight of her 20 conquered opponents, securing four KO/TKO and submission wins. The Cookie Monster takes her final bow at UFC 307 and will look to end on a high note.

Pennington stands on a two-fight losing streak with both bouts ending by split decision against Mackenzie Dern at UFC 273 and Tabatha Ricci at UFC St Louis. The Tiny Tornado has made a name for herself in the UFC records, having the fourth most fights as well as the fifth most decision wins in the Strawweight division. The Massachusetts mixed martial artist aims to bounce back in Salt Lake City.

Ryan Spann vs Ovince Saint Preux (UFC Light Heavyweight Bout) - Spann has not had the best time in the past year, sitting on a three-fight losing streak with his last bout ending by second-round TKO against Bogdan Guskov at UFC Vegas 91. Superman can be a danger on the feet, but he is more intimidating on the ground as he has secured 12 submissions out of his 21 career triumphs. Spann will want to get back in the rankings and what way to do that than defeat a former title challenger.

Saint Preux just edged out a split decision at UFC Vegas 88, defeating Kennedy Nzechuwku. Despite earning a decision in recent success, OSP is known for stopping fights, claiming 13 KO/TKO and seven submission wins out of 27 conquered opponents. The former 205-pound title challenger is 41 years of age and still puts on a show for the MMA fans as he gets closer to retirement.

preliminary card

Cesar Almeida vs Ihor Potieria (UFC Middleweight Bout) - Almeida made his debut in April and has since fought twice, defeating Dylan Budka by second-round TKO at UFC Vegas 90 and losing to Roman Kopylov by split decision at UFC 302. Cesinha usually aims to knock his opponents out, earning four KO/TKO victories out of five MMA wins. The Brazilian searches for redemption as he tries to get his first win in a PPV event.

Potieria has also fought twice this year, defeating Robert Bryczek by unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 86 and suffering a first-round submission loss to Michel Pereira at UFC 301. The Duelist has his fair share of stoppage wins with nine coming by KO/TKO and six coming by submission. The Ukrainian has only had two victories in his last six bouts, so a win is very much needed to revive Potieria's career.

Austin Hubbard vs Alexander Hernandez (UFC Lightweight Bout) - Hubbard found redemption in his last bout when he defeated Michal Figlak by unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 91. Despite Thud only having one stoppage win in his UFC career, he has earned more finishes with five ending by KO/TKO and two by submission. Hubbard currently has four wins in his last five fights, so a another victory will be a big step forward for the Illinois fighter.

Hernandez last fought at UFC Vegas 90 where he would come short, losing by split decision to Damon Jackson. The Great Ape prefers his battles to end by knockout with six of his 14 career triumphs ending by KO/TKO. Currently standing on a two-fight losing streak, Hernandez will try to get back in the win column and bounce back from his previous defeats.

Marina Rodriguez vs Iasmin Lucindo (UFC Women's Strawweight Bout) - Rodriguez was close to victory, but not close enough, losing by split decision to former UFC Strawweight Champion, Jessica Andrade, by split decision at UFC 300. The Brazilian likes to keep the fight on the feet with seven of her 17 wins ending by KO/TKO. The #6 Strawweight contender has only won once in her last four fights and another defeat could see her plummet down the rankings.

Lucindo is currently on a three-fight winning streak with her last bout ending by unanimous decision against Karolina Kowalkiewicz at UFC 301. The Fortaleza-born mixed martial artist does not go the distance very often with eight KO/TKO and three submission victories, despite earning only one stoppage win in the UFC. The #14 Strawweight contender has a great opportunity to boost up the rankings and be one or two fights away from a potential title shot. 

Stephen Thompson vs Joaquin Buckley (UFC Welterweight Bout) - Thompson had a surprising loss in his last fight when he suffered his first submission defeat in MMA, losing to Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296. Wonderboy loves to keep the fight standing up for a reason as eight of his 17 wins have ended by KO/TKO. The #9 Welterweight contender has only won once in his last four bouts, so a redeeming win will be needed at Salt Lake City for the former title challenger.

Buckley is currently on a four-fight winning streak with his last bout ending dominantly against Nursulton Ruziboev, securing an unanimous decision win at UFC St Louis. Just like his opponent, New Mansa likes to keep the battle on the feet, earning 13 knockout victories out of 19 MMA triumphs. The #11 Welterweight contender has had an incredible rise since fighting in the 170-pound weight class as he looks to keep going up with a win in the Delta Center.

main card