Marshall was one of the more interesting contract winners on the
2022 edition of Dana White’s Contender Series, so it will be
fascinating to see how this UFC debut goes. New Jersey’s Marshall
was solid if unspectacular in his decision win over fellow prospect
Connor
Matthews, but that is the promising part for him. Other
prospects may have more spectacular moments, but it is impressive
that Marshall is already a well-rounded fighter at just 23 years of
age. There is a lot to build on, but it will require experience, so
this debut against Rojo looks to be the right kind of test, even if
it is a bit tricker of a fight than it may appear. Argentina’s Rojo
was a well-traveled vet on the verge of a UFC callup for years
until he finally got his shot in 2021, and the promotion has not
done him many favors in terms of matchmaking, giving him tough
opponents in Charles
Jourdain and Kyler
Phillips. Rojo suffered a third-round defeat in each of those
fights but showed himself to be a tough out. He can hold his own
just about anywhere and is definitely talented enough to beat
fighters on this roster, but he has found himself outmatched by
faster athletes. Rojo should once again force a difficult fight for
Marshall, but the American does rely on his wrestling as a failsafe
and should be able to find some takedowns against an opponent with
vulnerable wrestling defense. It will not be a blowout, but the
pick is Marshall via decision.
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