The main card is usually packed with big names that sell the card to viewers. The fighters with the biggest following get the biggest stage, which makes sense. As a viewer you can recognize the names and the faces of the more popular fighters, but the prelims are where the lesser well-known fighters get to show off their skills to try and earn more fans and make a name for themselves. The climb to the top can be a long and hard climb filled with setbacks long before becoming a household name. The prelims are the stages where you earn the respect and the fight to be a contender.
This is a quick guide to the prelims at UFC Ottawa, highlighting a couple fights of some potential future household names.
Your Guide to the Prelims at UFC Ottawa
These fights should give you something to be excited about if you have a hard time getting excited for the prelims. There are always fights that are sure to surprise and put on an exciting show. You never know what can happen in a scrap, and as we have seen over and over again, it only takes one mistake to end a fighter’s night early. So without further a due, a guide to the prelims at UFC Ottawa.
Arjan Singh Bhullar vs Juan Adams (Heavyweight)
Singh Bhullar is 2-1 in the UFC, and 8-1 as a professional. He has shown power at times with 3 KO finishes on his record, but has mostly been a decision fighter with 5 victories coming by way of decision. Bhullar is able to take fighters to the ground when he wants to, and will be looking for his first finish since joining the UFC. Adams is a product of DWTNCS pipeline. Coming from the Contender Series, you know it means they are a finisher, and that is exactly what Adams is. He is undefeated at 5-0, each fight ending early with a knockout win being the result for Adams. Adams has a ridiculous work rate and a strong wrestling base.
This should show everyone watching who will be a part of the new wave of heavyweight prospects. Heavyweight fights always have the potential to excite as anyone can go down at any moment.
Kyle Nelson vs Matt Sayles (Featherweight)
Nelson made his UFC debut after putting together an impressive 6 fight win streak with wins coming by submission, TKO, and decision. The step up in competition proved to be more than Nelson was ready for as his win streak was snapped. He will look to bounce back in a fight vs Sayles who is also coming off a loss in his UFC debut. Sayles drew Sheymon Moraes in his debut, and Moraes has shown to be a very talented fighter. Sayles will look to show off his skill set and the power he has in his punches.
Sayles has been vouched for by Dominick Cruz, who he trains with. Cruz got him shot on DWTNCS, where he impressed and earned a contract with the UFC. Now Sayles will look to show that he belongs.
Macy Chaisson (#14) vs Sarah Moras (Bantamweight)
Moras is 2-3 in the UFC, and has obviously shown some ups and downs since she joined the promotion back in 2014. After going 0-2 in 2018, Moras will look to start 2019 off better vs a tough opponent in Chaisson. Chaisson is big for the featherweight division, it is hard to believe she makes the cut, even down to bantamweight where the size advantage is very noticeable. Chaisson has size to rival the champ Amanda Nunes, but we are a ways away from those talks. The crazy part is that I think those talks might happen eventually if Nunes remains at the top of the division, or even at featherweight.
Chaisson is imposing inside the cage, and she is still very new to MMA. She is 5-0 and continues to look better. Pretty soon, I think it will be hard for Chaisson to find fights because no one will want to fight her.
____
Make sure to follow The Scrap News (@thescrapnews) on Twitter.
Follow our writer Connor Rogowsky (@rogowskyc).
About Post Author
