Preview: UFC 290 Prelims

Flyweights

Shannon Ross (12-7) vs. Jesus Aguilar (8-2)
Odds: Aguilar (-140), Ross (+120)

Shannon Ross's UFC career is a fun story, as Australia's "Turkish Delight" had put in over a decade of work as a pro before his bout on the Contender Series last August, an entertaining scrap against Vinicius Salvador that may have been the highlight of the season. But while Ross may have fallen short in a game effort, he was still given a UFC contract - and the showing was made even more impressive by the discovery that Ross had apparently been fighting with a ruptured appendix. Unfortunately, Ross's UFC debut didn't go particularly well, as Kleydson Rodrigues sparked him out in February, but thankfully he's not matched up with yet another lanky Brazilian here, instead taking on Mexico's Jesus Aguilar. Aguilar's another signing off the 2022 edition of the Contender Series, fighting behind an aggressive wrestling and grappling game - and as one of the squattest men in UFC history, it's entertaining to watch him track down opponents with a fury in an attempt to impose his will. The UFC essentially set Aguilar up to lose with a UFC debut against top prospect and fellow standout grappler Tatsuro Taira in February, but this should be a more forgiving fight, albeit not a guaranteed win; Aguilar's frame means he needs to fight at close range, which will give Ross every opportunity to land some counters and turn this into an absolute scrap. But that all assumes Ross's durability hold up, which does appear to be a concern when he faces particularly potent opponents, and the read is that Aguilar clears that bar; the pick is Aguilar via first-round submission.

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