Preview: UFC Fight Night 226 Prelims

Lapilus Scouting Report

Loughran Scouting Report

Bantamweights

Taylor Lapilus (18-3, 3-1 UFC) vs. Caolan Loughran (8-0, 0-0 UFC)

ODDS: N/A

Lapilus finally makes his predictable return to the UFC, as he really should not have been cut in the first place. Lapilus’ first stint with the promotion was a star-crossed run from 2014 to 2016, starting with a scrapped debut thanks to the Swedish commission deeming him too inexperienced to fight Dennis Siver on short notice. From there, France’s “Double Impact” proved himself to be a solid prospect with three wins in four fights, but he had the bad fortune of fighting out his contract when the UFC’s sale was going through, leaving him without a renewal and having to head back to the regional scene. Lapilus has since picked up where he left off as a dynamic striker with enough of a wrestling game to get by, as he is undefeated in five fights since 2018. Naturally, he had to overcome one more bit of adversity to make this return, as he was slated to fight on the UFC’s debut in Paris in 2022 before breaking his hand, which has kept him out of action until now. Loughran steps in as part of a last-minute switch, and he should make this an entertaining affair. The Irishman is a tank of a fighter and throws power, but he backs that up with a powerful wrestling and grappling game that could make some hay here. He has not been asked to take his game into particularly deep waters and Lapilus is a solid step up in competition, so the Frenchman gets the nod as the favorite. Even so, it would not be a shock if Loughran is able to get out to an early lead and maintain his pace. The pick is Lapilus via decision.

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