Preview: UFC on ESPN 19 Prelims

DAYS NOTICE.

Damon Jackson with sub No. in his UFC return.

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Featherweights

NR | Ilia Topuria (9-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. NR | Damon Jackson (18-3-1, 1-1-1 UFC)

ODDS: Topuria (-235), Jackson (+195)

Jackson’s first stint in the UFC certainly did not go as planned. Signed as an undefeated prospect in 2014, “The Leech” quickly washed out of the UFC after managing the trifecta of a loss, a no-contest and a draw during his time inside of the Octagon. However, Jackson eventually worked his way back to a late-notice call against Mirsad Bektic in September. Jackson figured to do better in the UFC the second time around, if only because of a much more diluted roster since the time he left, but Bektic still seemed to be a tough first assignment upon his return. As a grappling-heavy fighter who is not much of an athlete, Jackson figured to play right into the best parts of Bektic’s mauling wrestling game, and indeed he did for two rounds—until he shockingly turned around his situation with a third-round guillotine choke to earn a sudden submission win. With his first UFC victory in his pocket, Jackson turns around to take on another tough opponent in Topuria, who impressed in his UFC debut in October. Topuria’s striking game consists almost entirely of straight power punches, but he uses them to set up an excellent grappling game that was able to stifle Youssef Zalal and score the upset in his first Octagon appearance. That all should serve him well here, but this is another fight where Jackson getting a sudden submission would not be a shock, as Topuria’s aggressive and not particularly mindful of his defense. Still, Topuria has enough physical advantages that the pick is for him to take the decision, even if there figures to be some rough patches.

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