MATT FREVOLA VS. OTTMAN AZAITAR
This week’s reminder of how deep and talented the lightweight division is comes in the form of this clash between Matt Frevola and Ottman Azaitar, who both step into the Octagon in search of their third straight victory this weekend.
“The SteamRolla” lost his promotional debut, but is unbeaten since, following up his entertaining draw with Lando Vannata with consecutive decision wins over Jalin Turner and Luis Pena before having multiple assignments fall through in 2020. Now 8-1-1 overall, the Florida-based New Yorker looks to extend his unbeaten streak to four by halting Azaitar’s quiet climb up the lightweight ladder.
The 30-year-old Azaitar arrived in the UFC with an 11-0 record including seven first-round finishes, and hasn’t missed a beat since, posting back-to-back wins over Teemu Packalen and Khama Worthy without making it to the end of the opening frame. The compact powerhouse is brimming with confidence and could establish himself as someone to watch in the 155-pound weight class with a third straight finish on Saturday.
MARINA RODRIGUEZ VS. AMANDA RIBAS
It’s a battle of Top 10 Brazilian strawweights to kick off the main card as Marina Rodriguez and Amanda Ribas go head-to-head in what should be a highly competitive affair.
After registering two wins and two draws in her first four UFC appearances, Rodriguez suffered the first defeat of her career in her lone outing in 2020, landing on the wrong side of a split decision verdict against former divisional champ Carla Esparza. The Muay Thai stylist already owns a win over Tecia Torres and battled Cynthia Calvillo to a stalemate, which helps cement her standing as a Top 10 talent, but if she wants to move closer to contention, she’ll have to turn back the hard-charging Ribas.
Ribas earned a pair of victories in her 2019 rookie season in the UFC, including a unanimous decision win over Mackenzie Dern, and followed it up with two more triumphs during her sophomore campaign to push her record to 10-1 overall. The 27-year-old is considered one of the brightest rising stars on the UFC roster, and a victory over the talented and battle-tested Rodriguez will propel her into an even bigger matchup next time out.
The competition for a title shot is fierce in the strawweight division at the moment, with several athletes all a win or two away from contention, which makes this contest critical for both women’s chances over the next 12-18 months.
Will Rodriguez get back into the win column or can Ribas keep rolling and earn her fifth straight UFC triumph?
