The UFC travels to Des Moines this weekend to host an enticing Bantamweight matchup between the #4-ranked Cory Sandhagen and #5-ranked Deiveson Figueiredo. What lies in store for fans is an action-packed card from top to bottom. Important fights for rankings, opportunities to see up-and-comers surge into the limelight, this card has it all. While most fans will pay close attention to high-profile fights such as Jeremy Stephens’ return to the UFC or Bo Nickal’s matchup with Reinier de Ridder, I am here to ensure you pay close attention to one very underrated fight that is sure to bring explosive action this Saturday.
Montel Jackson vs Daniel Marcos
Montel Jackson does not spring to mind when you think of the Bantamweight division’s current top 15. Whether it is due to a lack of social media presence or simply a lack of media attention, the 33-year-old seems to fly under the radar. His most recent fight displayed exactly why this should not be the case. Facing off with the always dangerous Da’Mon Blackshear, Jackson landed a vicious 1-2 just 18 seconds into the fight, rendering Blackshear unconscious. It was the second quickest finish in UFC Bantamweight history and displayed exactly why the #15 ranked Jackson is must-watch TV. The Wisconsin native has one of the more well-rounded skill sets in the division. Blending lightning-quick hands with impressive wrestling, landing 3.41 takedowns per fight in the UFC. All of this makes him a real problem at 135 pounds. He is a fighter who promises fireworks every time he walks into the octagon.
However, like every fight, it takes two to tango, and thankfully, Jackson has the perfect dance partner this Saturday. Daniel Marcos enters the fight undefeated, including a 4-0 record in the UFC. “Soncora” has defeated some of the UFC’s best at 135, most recently outworking Adrian Yanez to a razor-close decision. The Peruvian powerhouse stays on the gas through fights with unwavering cardio and pressure. Combined with his 88% takedown defence, it might just be the key to defeating as versatile a fighter as Jackson. This fight is sure to offer superb viewing for the MMA purists out there. 2 men who leave everything in the cage, each with a wide arsenal of skills and a shared ability to finish the fight at any given moment.
Jackson vs Marcos Prediction
Now, alerting you to this fight is the easy part; picking a winner proves a far tougher challenge. At the time of writing, Jackson sits as a -200 favourite. I have this fight a lot closer than that. Montel Jackson offers dynamite in his hands; every punch he throws has bad intentions and fight-ending capability. However, Marcos’s intense pressure and unrelenting cardio are equally scary propositions for any opponent he faces. I lean towards the underdog, Marcos, by decision. Jackson will be dangerous early, but the longer this fight goes, the more Marcos will begin to dictate the pace and take over. I expect Marcos to leave a lasting impression late in this fight, being the man to get his hand raised come Saturday.
Official Pick: Daniel Marcos by Decision
All in all, this coming weekend’s card will be met with a mere glance by the casual fan out there. However, it is stacked with some incredibly intriguing matchups and assures some highlight-reel knockouts. Jackson vs Marcos is sure to bring the heat and is an absolute must-watch fight for the MMA purists out there. Power meets pressure; only one will prevail, and this Saturday, we find out which.
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