The UFC Fight Night is one of the most highly anticipated MMA events, scheduled to take place at the Apex Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 13. Hardly any competition can overcome its popularity, with millions of MMA and betting fans preparing for a hot contest. Multiple intriguing matchups, complemented by the high pressure and dynamism of this sport, will be featured during the UFC Fight Night. Let’s break down the key fights viewers shouldn’t miss and evaluate pre-event predictions of the major outcomes.
Background and Key Participants
UFC Fight Night 266 isn’t a title fight, but it still attracts the attention of millions of viewers in the US and far beyond its borders. The competition will feature multiple renowned boxers, with the headliner matchup between Brandon Royval and Manel Kape. The flyweight division brings many surprises: this contest is especially promoted on betting sites, not on GamStop at NonGamStopBetting.co.uk, which already accept predictions on future results. Undeniably, the primary fight creates most noise, but it doesn’t mean that it’s the only exciting point during UFC Fight Night 266.
Brandon Royval vs Manel Kape: Headliner Matchup
Unpredictability and dynamism make this fight the most exciting event of UFC Fight Night 266. The two fighters have contrasting styles when they enter the ring, which makes the contest even more exciting. Royval is currently in the top five, and he is known for high-pressure attacks and wild scramblers. On the contrary, Manel Kape is an ambitious fighter who is famous for his lightning-fast knockouts.
His quick footwork and instant movements make him one of the most dangerous opponents in the division. Many are confident that flyweight contests aren’t exciting, which is a common mistake. Action-packed fights bring unpredictability and pressure: bookmakers mark that Kape has an edge, but everything can change in the octagon.
César Almeida vs Cezary Oleksiejczuk
This middleweight competition is worth attention: the matchup between the two powerful strikers makes the César Almeida vs Cezary Oleksiejczuk contest a co-main event. Cezary Oleksiejczuk, a Polish boxer, has a traditional approach to this sport. He acts aggressively and has well-developed tactics. On the contrary, César Almeida from Brazil is known for impressive power and striking force. Currently, the odds are against the Polish athlete, as predictions indicate that the battle’s outcome won’t be decided by scorecards, with Almeida winning the fight by a technical knockout.
Iasmin Lucindo vs Gillian Robertson
Women’s competitions are often overlooked and in vain. The fight between Iasmin Lucindo and Gillian Robertson promises to become one of the brightest occurrences at UFC Fight Night 266. Athletes are performing in the strawweight division, with both having pretty equal winning opportunities.
Robertson’s experience and skills will likely become the decisive factor, as her opponent is only 23 years old, and she is just beginning a boxing career. Experts project that the fight can end with a submission win, but Lucindo’s speed is the main strength, so the match is truly unpredictable.
Jonathan Pearce vs Omar Morales
These athletes are competing in the featherweight division, and UFC Fight Night 266 will finally determine who deserves the champion’s title. Fighters have already met in 2021, when Pearce triumphantly defeated the rival by submission in the second round.
This year, the American MMA legend is projected to repeat previous success. However, Omar Morales is a powerful striker who knows how to keep the right distance. The odds suggest that Pearce remains more likely to become a winner, but a high-pressure battle is anticipated in Apex Arena in December.
Steven Asplund vs Sean Sharaf
The heavyweight division is renowned for action-packed fights, where every attack can become decisive. Steven Asplund and Sean Sharaf are both famous for their knockout abilities, so the matchup is among the most anticipated events of UFC Fight Night 266.
Steven Asplund will enter the ring with an evident competitive advantage. He has recently ended a fight against Anthony Guarascio with a knockout at the 16th second of the first round. Sean Sharaf also had four first-round wins, so the match has the potential to end earlier than it’s planned. Not many people predict that the fight will reach the scorecards, as one of the powerful strikers will definitely defeat the opponent earlier.
The Final Word
The UFC Fight Night 266 is projected to become one of the loudest MMA events this year. The headliner matchup between Brandon Royval and Manel Kape is the most exciting contest, but many other fights are worth viewers’ attention. César Almeida vs Cezary Oleksiejczuk and Steven Asplund vs Sean Sharaf are projected to demonstrate tough rivalry and intensity. With the high knockout potential of many contenders, many matches will be decided long before the scorecards, but it’s exactly why the audience loves this sport, right?