UFC FIGHT NIGHT: HERMANSSON vs. VETTORI Preview

Repping Europe

 In Saturday’s main event, No. 4 ranked UFC® middleweight contender Jack Hermansson take on No. 13 ranked Marvin Vettori. Hermansson currently holds a 21-5 professional record and has won five of his last six matchups inside the Octagon®.  “The Joker” defeated Kelvin Gastelum with a first-round submission in his last outing and will be looking to kick-off a winning streak with back-to-back victories in his third headline event.

His opponent, the young Italian Marvin Vettori, has made a name for himself as a bright prospect with a well-rounded skillset. “The Italian Dream’s” last outing saw him defeat Karl Roberson with a first-round submission, following a hard-fought win against Cezar Ferreira. On a three-fight win streak, he’ll be looking to make his mark in his first main event.

MIDDLEWEIGHT CONTENDERS: JACK HERMANSSON AIMS TO STOP SURGING MARVIN VETTORI FROM CRACKING THE 185-POUND TOP FIVE

• Jack Hermansson (21-5, fighting out of Oslo, Norway) hopes to make the most of his third UFC main event by stopping Holland’s momentum in highlight-reel fashion

• • No. 4 ranked UFC middleweight contender
  • 11 wins by KO, six via submission
  • 10 first-round finishes
  • Has won five of last six bouts
  • Holds wins over against Kelvin Gastelum, Jacare Souza, David Branch and Thales Leites
• Marvin Vettori (15-4-1, fighting out of Mezzocorona, Italy) looks to take advantage of his first UFC main event by securing the biggest win of his career
  • No. 13 ranked UFC middleweight contender
  • Nine wins by submission, two via KO
  • On a three-fight win streak
  • 11 first-round finishes
  • Holds wins over Karl Roberson, Andrew Sanchez and Cezar Ferreira

Veteran vs. Prospect

 The co-main event sees former interim light heavyweight title challenger Ovince Saint Preux square off against the undefeated Jamahal Hill. In his last outing, St. Preux handed knockout artist Alonzo Menifield a brutal defeat following his return to the heavyweight division. Thus far, he has recorded 12 KO wins in his career and also holds the record for the most Von Flue choke submissions in UFC history. With notable wins over Shogun Rua and Corey Anderson, he will be looking to add another name to his impressive resume this weekend.

Jamahal Hill will be hoping he can get his first co-main off to a good start against the eighth-year veteran. “Sweet Dreams” scored a decision win over Darko Stosic in January and had an impressive first-round KO against Klidson Abreu in May before the bout decision was later overturned. He’ll be keen to prove he belongs in the division against one of its longest-serving competitors.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CLASH: DANGEROUS FINISHER OVINCE SAINT PREUX LOOKS TO HAND JAMAHAL HILL HIS FIRST CAREER LOSS

• Ovince Saint Preux (25-14, fighting out of Knoxville, Tenn.) has his sights set on another show-stealing performance to once again tie Glover Teixeira for most light heavyweight finishes

• • UFC light heavyweight
  • 12 wins by KO, eight via submission
    • Holds record for Von Flue choke submissions (4)
  • 14 first-round finishes
  • Holds stoppage wins over Tyson Pedro, Corey Anderson and Shogun Rua
• Jamahal Hill (7-0 1NC, fighting out of Grand Rapids, Mich.) looks to shine in his first UFC co-main event by taking out a seasoned veteran for the most important win of his career
  • UFC light heavyweight
  • Three wins by KO
  • Two first-round finishes
  • Earned contract on Dana White’s Contender Series
  • Holds wins over Darko Stosic and Alexander Poppeck

Featherweight Fury

Elsewhere on the card, Montana De La Rosa faces off against Taila Santos. De La Rosa comes into the bout searching for a victory and will be looking to get back to the winning form she showed in the early stages of her UFC career. Having shown formidable wrestling skills, she will be looking to take her opponent to the floor where she can dominate the exchange.

Santos approaches the bout full of confidence having defeated Molly McCann on Fight Island in July. Santos is 16-1 in her career, having dominated the all-Brazilian edition of the Contender Series. She is shaping up to be a promising prospect in the division and is looking for a win here to truly establish her credentials.

This exciting bout carries serious divisional significance. De La Rosa has the chance to shoot up the rankings whilst Santos has the chance to lay down a marker. Who will come out on top?

OTHER FIGHTS ON THE CARD INCLUDE

• No. 15 ranked women’s flyweight contender Montana De La Rosa (11-6, fighting out of Fort Worth, Texas) faces Dana White’s Contender Series Brazil alum Taila Santos (16-1, fighting out of Jaraguá do Sul, SC, Brazil)
• Undefeated light heavyweight Roman Dolidze (7-0, fighting out of Batumi, Georgia) hopes to continue his winning ways against John Allan (13-5 1NC, fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil)
• Lightweight veteran Matt Wiman (16-9, fighting out of Portland, Ore.) aims to hand Jordan Leavitt (7-0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) his first professional loss
• Dana White’s Contender Series contract winner Jimmy Flick (15-5, fighting out of Tulsa, Okla.) debuts against Cody Durden (11-2-1, fighting out of Covington, Ga.)
• Nate Landwehr (14-3, fighting out of Clarksville, Tenn.) meets Movsar Evloev (13-0, fighting out of Sunzha, Republic of Ingushetia, Russia) in a clash of featherweight hopefuls
• Ilia Topuria (9-0, fighting out of Alicante, Spain) hopes to remain unbeaten when he faces Damon Jackson (18-3-1 1NC, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) in a featherweight bout
• Entertaining bantamweights collide when Louis Smolka (16-7, fighting out of Kapolei, Hawaii) takes on Jose Quinonez (9-4, fighting out of San Diego, Calif.)
• Gian Villante (17-12, fighting out of Bellmore, N.Y.) goes for his first UFC heavyweight win when he locks horns with Jake Collier (11-5, fighting out of Cuba, Mo.)
• Gabriel Benitez (21-9, fighting out of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico) faces Justin Jaynes (15-5, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) in an action-packed featherweight contest