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Bantamweights

Gaston Bolanos (6-3, 0-0 UFC) vs. Aaron Phillips (12-4, 0-3 UFC)

ODDS: Bolanos (-190), Phillips (+160)

If nothing else, it is a nice story that Phillips found his way back to the UFC. Phillips’ first UFC stint was easily forgettable, as it only consisted of two fights in 2014, and he spent three years out of action after losing his first post-UFC bout due to injury. However, Phillips racked up a few wins on the regional scene and got the UFC call in 2020, stepping in on late notice for a fight with Jack Shore. Now, the worry is that Phillips’ second run with the UFC might wind up much like the first. That winning streak featured a lot of ugly victories over lower-level competition, and Phillips did not get much done against Shore leading into what has now been nearly another three-year layoff. Defensive wrestling has been an issue for Phillips in the past, but that will not be an issue against a pure striker in Bolanos. A former kickboxer that has spent his entire mixed martial arts career under the auspices of Bellator MMA, the Peruvian is the type of fighter you would expect the UFC to sign in the name of excitement over any potential for contention. He may not have much to offer on the mat, but he can throw heat and score an impressive knockout. Phillips could find some wrestling success, but having to march through some offense to do so does not make that proposition particularly promising. The pick is Bolanos via first-round knockout.

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