UFC Vegas 80 Preview and Predictions
The UFC is back after a weekend without any fights. The promotion returns with UFC Vegas 80 which is filled with fan-friendly bouts. The main card will begin at 7:00 p.m. EST with the prelims starting at 4:00 EST.
Join Vendetta Sports Media as we preview and predict each bout on the UFC Vegas 80 main card.
James: 108-66-3
Garrett: 110-64-3
Anthony: 89-54-2
Jerry: 90-52-2
Alexander Hernandez vs. Bill Algeo–Featherweight Bout
James: The UFC Vegas 80 main card begins with a featherweight bout between Alexander Hernandez and Bill Algeo. This is Hernandez’s second trip down to featherweight. On his first trip down to the division, he suffered a second-round knockout loss against Billy Quarentillo. Since then, he impressed with a decision over lightweight Jim Miller. Overall, he is 6-5 in the UFC against a stiff level of competition. On the other hand, Algeo has managed to stick in the featherweight division with a 4-3 UFC record.
Hernandez is a polarizing fighter. In his UFC debut, he showed off his potential as he knocked out Beneil Dariush. It is evident that Hernandez has the skills to compete at a high level. On the feet, he has power, solid boxing, and is willing to mix in kicks. At the same time, he has the ability to win fights with his wrestling. The problem is that he has been beaten by fighters with superior toughness and cardio. In his last bout against Miller, he looked much improved in those aspects. It will be worth watching to see if that becomes his new standard.
Algeo is a tricky fighter with a lot of length. Standing at 6-foot, he presents unique challenges for the division. This begins with his unorthodox kicks and extends to his knees and elbows on the inside. Algeo pairs those skills with great cardio and durability to pick up wins. Algeo’s grappling is not elite, but he does have legitimate BJJ skills.
In my opinion, this fight will hinge on the later rounds. I am optimistic that Hernandez’s growth in cardio will be seen in this fight. If he does not gas out, he should be able to win minutes by controlling Algeo on the ground. I also trust his fundamental boxing and power to win striking exchanges. I will take Hernandez by decision.
Garrett: Hernandez via decision
Jerry: Algeo via decision
Anthony: Hernandez via decision
Drew Dober vs. Rick Glenn–Lightweight Bout
James: The UFC Vegas 80 main card features a lightweight bout between Drew Dober and Rick Glenn. Dober and Glenn find themselves in similar positions entering this bout. The pair are both highly durable veterans who are looking to rebound after their first-career knockout loss.
Dober is a powerful boxer that will sit down on power shots. If he manages to connect, he can shut his opponent’s lights off. That often leads to Dober competing in fan-friendly brawls while trading with his opponent for the entirety of the fight.
Glenn is a well-rounded veteran who is capable of competing whenever a fight goes on. On the feet, he is willing to trade, but he also has respectable wrestling skills.
If these two strike for significant periods of time, Dober will have massive power and athleticism advantages. I think that leads to Dober eventually landing a big shot that ends the fight. I will take Dober by second-round knockout.
Garrett: Dober via TKO
Jerry: Dober via KO/TKO
Anthony: Dober via KO/TKO
Alex Morono vs. Joaquin Buckley–Welterweight Bout
James: UFC Vegas 80 features a welterweight bout between Alex Morono and Joaquin Buckley. Buckley is a fresh face in the welterweight division. After struggling to find long-term success at middleweight, he dropped down to welterweight. In his divisional debut, he proved that he could perform in the lower weight class as he earned a knockout victory over Andre Fialho. On the contrary, Morono has a ton of welterweight experience in the UFC and has a promotional record of 12-5.
Morono is a striker who looks to stay on the outside and utilize his movement to pick his opponents apart. This allows him to land his jab and his right hand while staying safe defensively. On the ground, he has underrated BJJ and is active in chasing submissions.
Buckley is an explosive striker with a ton of knockout power. In fights, he likes to actively move around the octagon while searching for angles to blitz his opponent. Buckley is very good at exploding into the pocket and landing big shots. Despite his striking prowess, he does look to wrestle more than you expect.
This is an interesting fight to predict because both fighters have similar styles of movement. I am interested to see how each fighter reacts against another opponent that is willing to utilize a lot of movement and circling.
I will lean towards Buckley because he is the better athlete and has more power. Additionally, this will be an opposite stance matchup and Buckley is the southpaw, presenting him with some opportunities to land kicks to the body, which could help drop Morono’s hands and open strikes to the head. I will take Buckley by second-round knockout.
Garrett: Morono via decision
Jerry: Buckley via KO/TKO
Anthony: Buckley via KO/TKO
Joe Pyfer vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan–Middleweight Bout
James: The UFC Vegas 80 co-main event previews as a striking bout between massive power punchers Joe Pyfer and Abdul Razak Alhassan. Pyfer has proven to be a legit prospect since joining the UFC. In his two bouts in the promotion, he has two first-round knockouts. On top of that, on Dana White’s Contender Series, he earned a contract with a second-round knockout. Meanwhile, Alhassan is 6-5 in the UFC, with all six of those wins came by way of knockout.
Pyfer is a great boxer with serious power and quick hands. This allows him to string various combinations together and land power punches. Pyfer’s arsenal includes a great straight right hand, a quality jab, a fade-away counter hook, uppercuts and more.
Alhassan is a power puncher who typically finds success countering or striking out of the clinch. This is because his power shots are not as telegraphed in those scenarios. If Alhassan lands, he does serious damage. The issues arise when he swings heavily and misses which leads him to gas out in the later rounds.
I think this fight favors Pyfer heavily. Alhassan is a former welterweight who was forced to move to middleweight because he missed weight twice. In this fight, Pyfer will have a decent size advantage while also being 11 years younger than Alhassan. In terms of skills, Pyfer has sharper fundamentals, more tools, superior defense and better cardio.
If that is not enough, Pyfer will have the grappling edge if he opts to use it. Alhassan’s power gives him a chance in every fight, but Pyfer is simply the more complete fighter. I will take Pyfer by second-round knockout.
Garrett: Pyfer via TKO
Jerry: Pyfer via KO/TKO
Anthony: Pyfer KO/TKO
No. 10 Grant Dawson vs. Bobby Green–Lightweight Bout
James: The UFC Vegas 80 main event features a lightweight scrap between Grant Dawson and Bobby Green. Dawson has been impressive since joining the UFC and has compiled an 8-0-1 promotional record. That is headlined by his most recent performance against Damir Ismagulov. On the other hand, Green is a UFC veteran with an 11-9-1 record. This bout will provide Green with an opportunity to break into the UFC lightweight rankings.
Dawson is a great grappler. He has a good selection of takedowns and sets up his shots well. On top of that, he is great at finishing takedowns. Once he gets ahold of a leg or into the hips, he finishes the shot. On the ground, he has great top control and consistently gets body triangles. The downside in his skill set is that he has below-average striking and suspect cardio.
Green is an unorthodox striker who loves to box with his hands low. This works because he has great head movement and hand speed. At his peak, Green picks opponents apart from the outside and lands his jab, straight combination consistently.
It is hard not to pick Dawson in this fight. The difference in grappling and physicality is obvious. I have a hard time seeing Green defensively grapple at a sufficient rate. Yes, he will win the striking by a large margin, but I doubt this fight stays on the feet for long. Dawson has great control and will spend much of this bout in dominant positions. I will take Dawson by third-round submission.
Garrett: Dawson via submission
Jerry: Dawson via submission
Anthony: Dawson via decision
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