MMA Event Breakdown - UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Silva
UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Silva
Events like this one serve to remind us to be grateful for nights like UFC 290. When the UFC puts their best foot forward, they deliver high-level action between world class fighters. However, after stacking a massive pay-per-view event like we enjoyed over the weekend, the organization often leaves itself bereft of meaningful fights to bring to bear for fight night cards. As a result, we are left with slim pickings for this event. The card will serve as a showcase for UFC debutants and fighters trying to leave an impression on the hardcore fan base.
Ailin Perez vs. Ashlee Evans-Smith
Fight Odds: Perez -220 vs. Evans-Smith +200
Weight Class: 135lb. (Women’s Bantamweight)
Ailin Perez is an Argentinian mixed martial artist who will be making her sophomore outing in the UFC after dropping her debut against credentialed grappler Stephanie Egger up a weight class at featherweight (140lb. Catch Weight). Now Perez will return to the bantamweight division to take on Ashlee Evans-Smith, a UFC veteran who has been out of the octagon for nearly three years. Evans-Smith underwent spine surgery in her absence and said she dealt with many underlying nagging injuries. Evans-Smith will look to leverage her wrestling background and her 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu skills in order to win this fight, but I don’t anticipate she will have much success.
Ailin Perez was badly outmatched skill for skill in her last fight, but she competed hard through every position, over-performed expectations, and committed herself to improvement immediately following her loss. Perez is now living and training in South Florida, working with MMA Masters and world class training partners like Colby Covington, Themba Gorimbo, Nate Landwehr, and Priscilla Cachoeira. I believe Perez is the meaner fighter with youth, health, and motivation upside in this spot. Barring a cardio dump or a catastrophic error, I think the pace and enthusiasm of Perez will break Evans-Smith down the stretch.
Prediction: Ailin Perez defeats Ashlee Evans-Smith via SUB3/UDEC