Preview: UFC 265 Prelims

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream UFC 265 live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app.

Bantamweights

NR | Drako Rodriguez (7-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. NR | Vince Morales (9-5, 1-3 UFC)

ODDS: Rodriguez (-115), Morales (-105)

This should be a worthwhile scrap between two bantamweights looking to get into the win column. Rodriguez waited a while to make his Octagon debut. Beyond the gap between his contract-earning win on Dana White’s Contender Series and his first UFC bout, the promotion had already looked to bring in “The Great Drakolini” before contractual issues got in the way. After all that wait, Rodriguez’s debut—which finally came opposite Aiemann Zahabi in February—was quite deflating, as it took about three minutes before Rodriguez ate a knockout counter. He will attempt to rebound against Morales, who has had a mixed bag of a UFC run thus far. There is a lot to like about Morales’ counter-heavy style, but it has resulted in more close losses than actual wins. “Vandetta” held up surprisingly well against Yadong Song in a late-notice UFC debut and probably should have taken his 2019 loss to Benito Lopez on the scorecards. However, the fight with Lopez—which was won almost entirely on aggression and pressure—underscores the issue that Morales’ accuracy does not make up for a lack of finishing power and some subpar optics. There could be a similar dynamic at play in this one.

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream UFC 265 live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app.

Rodriguez is the superior athlete of the two and more willing to sell out in terms of throwing out offense, both on the feet and as part of his slick grappling game. Even if Morales is fighting the better fight from a technical standpoint, he might have to find a knockout in order to turn that into a winning performance. The pick is Rodriguez via decision.

Continue Reading » Menifield vs. Herman