MMA Event Breakdown - UFC Fight Night: Yadong vs. Gutierrez
UFC Fight Night: Song Yadong vs. Chris Gutierrez
What was supposed to be an international showcase in Shanghai has turned into a hodge-podge at the Apex Center, a familiar feeling for fight fans in 2023. An elite bantamweight showdown takes top billing, as Song Yadong looks to continue his rise when takes on the savvy and experienced Chris Gutierrez.
Rayanne Amanda vs. Talita Alencar
Fight Odds: -160 Amanda vs. +130 Alencar
Weight Class: 115lb. (Women’s Strawweight)
This is a fascinating matchup to kick off the card, pitting two Brazilian grapplers against one another in a critical fight for each woman’s career. Rayanne Amanda fell short on DWCS, dropping a unanimous decision against Denise Gomes (3-2 UFC) before returning to the regional scene to claim the Invicta Atomweight Title (105lbs) in a five-round main event. Talita Alencar was signed to the UFC off of the Contender Series despite fighting to a draw and gassing out horribly during her fight. Alencar accepted her DWCS opportunity on short notice and found a way to fight through exhaustion to the final bell, so I think matchmakers were happy to give her an opportunity to test her jiu jitsu in the UFC with a full camp.
Rayanne Amanda is getting better over time, and she has much more professional MMA experience, but I have a sneaking suspicion that her ground game is exploitable, and Alencar is equipped to make her pay. For Amanda to win, she will need to extend this fight, test the gas tank of Alencar, and apply pressure with her striking or clinch work.
Prediction: Talita Alencar defeats Rayanne Amanda via SUB1/2