Standouts in top regional promotions, Kaik Brito and Oban Elliott occupy the penultimate place on this week’s fight card.
Sporting a 16-4 record, Brito is a former lightweight who has gone 3-1 in his last four fights since venturing up to the 170-pound ranks, with his lone setback coming by way of split decision. He’s earned finishes in each of his last two outings, both under the OKTAGON banner, claiming the welterweight strap with a third-round finish of David Kozma back in December.
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Elliott is a former Cage Warriors standout, traveling to Las Vegas with designs on turning in a better effort than his contemporary Hardwick did last Tuesday night. The Welshman has won four straight, most recently out-hustling emerging prospect James Sheehan in April. He’s only lost to solid competition, and carries an 8-2 record overall into this week’s co-main event.
This is a little similar to last week’s headliner, as both Brito and Elliott are established names in their respective promotions, with this fight being quality enough to headline a show for either of those outfits.
Isis Verbeek vs Josefine Lindgren Knutsson
Isis Verbeek and Josefine Lindgren Knutsson face off in the middle of the Week 3 lineup, each woman bent on delivering a performance comparable to that of Eduarda Moura on last week’s show.
The 28-year-old Verbeek has dabbled in numerous combat sports disciplines, having competed in kickboxing, shoot boxing, traditional boxing, and bare-knuckle MMA while also compiling a 5-1 mark in traditional mixed martial arts. Her lone setback came several years ago to former TUF contestant Kathryn Paprocki, and last time out, she registered a unanimous decision win over Melissa Odessa Parker at Invicta FC 48.
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Knutsson has some experience in kickboxing, as well, and competed on a comparable stage last summer, defeating Yedam Seo in a non-tournament bout on the Road to UFC series in Singapore. The Swedish prospect is 4-0 in her mixed martial arts career and will be looking to join several teammates from the Allstars Training Center on the UFC roster with a decisive victory.
Which of these young, developing strawweights will take the next step forward in their mixed martial arts career?
