Preview: UFC on ESPN 46 ‘Kara-France vs. Albazi’

Women’s Flyweights

Karine Silva (15-4, 1-0 UFC) vs. Ketlen Souza (13-3, 0-0 UFC)

ODDS: Silva (-225), Souza (+190)

This has the potential to be an entertaining mess, as two fighters who are all talent over process square off. Silva’s contract-winning performance on Dana White’s Contender Series just about sums up the Brazilian’s game, as she was getting outwrestled by Qihui Yan up until the point that both women tired and she suddenly found a fight-ending guillotine choke. Silva is clearly a solid athlete with some finishing ability, but getting there is an adventure with seemingly little thought for winning rounds. Even though “Killer” won her UFC debut over Poliana Botelho in 2022 in under a round, she did not accomplish much of anything up until the point that she suddenly got the ball rolling for a finish. Silva’s sophomore effort was initially supposed to see her face Priscila Cachoeira in April, but with Cachoeira getting scratched from the fight on late notice, the UFC rebooked her against a newcomer and Brazilian countrywoman in Souza. The 28-year-old Souza has had a breakout in the last few months, debuting with Invicta Fighting Championships late in 2022 and winning the company’s flyweight title in January to prove that she is ready for the big stage. At first glance, Souza is not all that dissimilar from Silva, with an inefficient game built around flashy moments of offense, but it is notable that the UFC newcomer at least looks to keep throwing ideas out at a consistent pace, along with possessing an impressive amount of cardio to make her style work. That earns Souza the nod, though this is very much the type of fight where anything can happen and either woman could suddenly end things with one big moment of dynamism. The pick is Souza via decision.

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Kara-France vs. Albazi
Caceres vs. Pineda
Gordon vs. Miller
Elliott vs. Altamirano
Silva vs. Souza
Nurmagomedov vs. Zaleski dos Santos
The Prelims