Originally slated to open the show at UFC 288 last month in Newark, Daniel Santos now takes on Johnny Munoz here, in the middle of Saturday’s prelims. Santos earned a come-from-behind, second-round stoppage win over John Castaneda last time out, while Munoz out-hustled Liudvik Sholinian to collect his second UFC victory. Both men are action-oriented and should combine to provide an exciting battle as the evening of action progresses towards the main card.
Elise Reed vs. Jinh Yu Frey
Strawweights looking to get back into the win column share the Octagon in this one as Elise Reed faces off with Jinh Yu Frey. Reed has alternated losses and wins since entering the UFC and enters this one off a submission defeat at the hands of Loma Lookboonmee in February. The former Invicta FC atomweight champ Frey has garnered results in pairs so far through six UFC appearances, losing twice, winning twice, and then losing twice again as she readies to step in with Reed on Saturday.
ROAD TO UFC RESULTS: Episode 1 & 2 | Episode 3 & 4
Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Luan Lacerda
Da’Mon Blackshear and Luan Lacerda meet in a battle of bantamweights searching for their first UFC victory. Blackshear has gone 0-1-1 through his first two starts, battling Youssef Zalal to a draw in his short-notice debut before pushing freshman Farid Basharat hard in a losing effort last time out. Lacerda made his first appearance in the Octagon in January, losing to Cody Stamann, and looks to get back to the form that produced 10 straight victories prior to that setback.
Philipe Lins vs. Maxim Grishin
Light heavyweights open the show at the UFC APEX this weekend, as Philipe Lins takes on Maxim Grishin. Lins collected a second straight victory since returning to the division in February, blowing through Ovince Saint Preux in 49 seconds, while Grishin hasn’t fought since earning a unanimous decision win over William Knight at UFC 271. These two were scheduled to fight each other once before and should kick things off with a bang on Saturday.
