It’s a battle of DWCS alums in the featherweight division as TJ Brown welcomes Erik Silva to the Octagon for the first time.
A member of the DWCS Class of ’19, Brown dropped his first two UFC appearances, only to rally and win his next two outings to bring his record level. He dropped a decision to Shayilan Nuerdanbieke in June, and is now tasked with being the first to face the streaking Silva on the biggest stage in the sport.
“King” Erik Silva punched his ticket to the UFC this summer, running through Anvar Boynazarov at the UFC APEX to extend his winning streak to eight. The former Lux Fight League titleholder has collected five straight first-round finishes heading into his promotional debut this weekend, where everyone will be watching intently to see if he can continue that streak now that he’s competing in the UFC.
Brown is the most experienced opponent Silva has faced to date, which means this preliminary card contest should provide an early baseline for where the newcomer fits within the 145-pound hierarchy, win or lose.
Cameron Saaiman vs. Steven Koslow
It’s a clash between young bantamweights with identical 6-0 records as Cameron Saaiman squares off with Steven Koslow this weekend in Las Vegas.
Saaiman, who turns 22 later this month, looked outstanding in his victory on Dana White’s Contender Series earlier this year, weathering an early attack from Josh Wang-Kim before dispatching the American with a left hook midway through the third round. The South African doesn’t carry himself like a 21-year-old with only a handful of fights under his belt, and it will be interesting to see how much that aids him now that he’s matriculated to the biggest stage in the sport.
Koslow steps in on short notice, replacing Ronnie Lawrence, and looks to finish the year with an early Christmas present to himself in the form of a UFC victory. The 25-year-old, who fights out of Jacksonville, Florida, won his final 10 fights as an amateur, and has maintained his successful ways since turning pro, earning finishes in each of his first six appearances.
Both of these fighters are still extremely young in their careers, but they’ve consistently handled their business thus far and should deliver excitement as soon as the action gets underway on Saturday evening at T-Mobile Arena.
Vinicius Salvador vs. Daniel Da Silva
Flyweights open the show at UFC 282, as Brazilians Vinicius Salvador and Daniel da Silva meet in Saturday’s opener.
Salvador delivered a highlight reel finish against Shannon Ross earlier this summer at the UFC APEX, putting out the Australian with a barrage of punches late in the second round of the Contender Series clash. The victory extended the tall, rangy newcomer’s winning streak to four, and sends him into this weekend’s debut with a little bit of buzz and momentum.
It’s been tough sledding for da Silva since touching down in the UFC, as the 26-year-old enters his clash with Salvador on a three-fight slide. There have been momentary flashes of upside from “Miojo” in each of those outings, only for things to sharply and suddenly take a turn for the worst.
Which Brazilian will head out into the Las Vegas night with every reason to celebrate?
