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Preview: UFC 278 Prelims

Albazi vs. Figueiredo


Flyweights

Amir Albazi (14-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. Francisco Figueiredo (13-4-1, 2-1 UFC)

ODDS: Albazi (-390), Figueiredo (+320)

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Albazi is an interesting prospect who has been out of action since early 2020. “The Prince” has a unique resume—still just 28 years old, he is already a 13-year veteran—and when everything clicks, he looks excellent, with some powerful striking leading to an impressive wrestling and grappling game. However, Albazi’s lone real test prior to his UFC career, a 2019 bout against Jose Torres, did raise some worry as far as his UFC chances were concerned. Albazi still fought a smart fight against the UFC vet, but he adopted a much more passive gameplan that neutralized a lot of his strengths. So far, it has been all systems go for Albazi inside the UFC, as he quickly finished Malcolm Gordon and took a clear decision from Zhalgas Zhumagulov leading into this long layoff, which ends here against Figueiredo. The brother of flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, he follows in the footsteps of many a lesser sibling in mixed martial arts history, fighting in a style that evokes his brother without any of the elite tools that make the champion so special. Both Figueiredos fight behind a slow-paced style focused on huge moments of opportunity. For the champion, that works due to his rare power for a flyweight; his brother typically begins to tire and eventually gets by on an ugly and clinch-heavy approach. That can still work. Figueiredo did grind out a debut win against Jerome Rivera, and a quick kneebar win over Daniel Lacerda in April proved he us still dangerous. Nevertheless, a 2021 loss to Gordon showed how easily things can go off the rails for Figueiredo against an opponent he cannot cleanly overpower. This could get ugly at times, but Albazi should be the more effective fighter over 15 minutes and able to avoid any major trouble. The pick is Albazi via decision.



Jump To »
Santos vs. Gordon
Pudilova vs. Wu
Woodson vs. Saldana
Maverick vs. Young
Fletcher vs. Loosa
Albazi vs. Figueiredo
Aori vs. Perrin
Altamirano vs. Lacerda

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