Preview: UFC Fight Night 180 Prelims

Lightweights

Jamie Mullarkey (12-3) vs. Fares Ziam (10-3)

ODDS: Mullarkey (-140), Ziam (+120)

Lightweight hopefuls look for their first UFC win in this one. If nothing else, Mullarkey had a memorable UFC debut a year ago, as the Australian went to war for three rounds against Brad Riddell in one of the promotion’s best fights of 2019. Mullarkey showed off a well-rounded game and an endless willingness to scrap in that fight, and the performance has only looked better as Riddell has impressed in the months since. Mullarkey looks to get back in the win column against France’s Ziam, whose entry into the UFC was not quite so sanguine. The “Smile Killer” has some potential as a range kickboxer, but he did not get the chance to show any of that against Don Madge in 2019. Madge basically pinned Ziam against the fence and controlled him for 15 minutes without much of an issue. Ziam has the higher ceiling of these two, but his overall approach is still much more formless and meandering. Mullarkey should be able to put out more volume and control the wrestling exchanges, and if Riddell could not put him away, it seems unlikely Ziam will be able to do so. The pick is Mullarkey via decision.

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