Preview: UFC 258 Prelims

Walk-off KO from @DhLimaMMA at #UFC231! pic.twitter.com/FMrdviAtqV

— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) December 9, 2018

Welterweight

No. 13 | Belal Muhammad (17-3, 8-3 UFC) vs. NR | Dhiego Lima (15-7, 4-5 UFC)

ODDS: Muhammad (-345), Lima (+285)

It has been nice to see Muhammad gain a foothold in the UFC over the last few years, since that was not always necessarily a given. On the regional scene, Muhammad showed an obvious technical acumen that allowed him to adapt and outlast his opponents over the course of his fights, but his lack of athleticism and finishing ability raised some concern about his ability to separate himself from UFC-level opposition. However, after a rough start, Muhammad has gone on a run that has made him a Top 15 stalwart of the division, winning seven of his last eight. Muhammad is usually able to drown his opponents in pace and, as he showed prior to his UFC career, adjust well to whatever they present in return. After a win over Lyman Good in June that saw him fight against type and play sniper against a much more powerful opponent, there is hope that “Remember The Name” may yet make a run towards true contender status. For now, he looks to hold serve against Lima, who finally has things clicking in his UFC career. For years, Lima looked like a classic Quadruple-A fighter who excelled on the regional scene but could never quite get over the hump in a major promotion, whether due to the lack of one true standout skill or some questionable durability. Lima has finally hit a groove, piecing together a three-fight winning streak as an effective counterpuncher before missing all of 2020 due to injury. He should provide some entertaining resistance here, but this looks like Muhammad’s fight to lose based on pace, skill and durability. The pick is Muhammad via clear decision.

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