Last week’s International Fight Week card absolutely delivered. The fights were awesome, the reads were on point, and now the UFC has decided to reward us by following it up with… whatever the hell this is.
On paper, this card isn’t winning any awards. It’s got aging veterans, regional-level talent sprinkled throughout, and enough heavyweight gas tanks to make your local Planet Fitness jealous. Which, naturally, means it’ll probably end up being one of the more entertaining Fight Nights of the year.
The main event gives us former middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis looking to bounce back after Khamzat Chimaev dominated him for 5 rounds last summer. Standing across from him is former welterweight king Kamaru Usman, who’s moving up to 185 in what feels like one last shot at proving he’s still got something left in the tank.
Elsewhere, we’ve got a couple of prospects worth paying attention to, a few fighters I’m fading without a second thought, Tommy McMillen giving me another opportunity to continue my public smear campaign, and, of course, at least one heavyweight fight that’ll have both guys breathing through their mouths before Bruce Buffer even leaves the cage.
Let’s get into it.
UFC Fight Night: Du Plessis vs. Usman
Main Card
Dricus Du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman
DDP is coming off a loss to Khamzat, and not just any loss. He got dominated for five full rounds. He didn’t have a single moment in that fight and looked completely out of answers from the opening bell until the final horn.
That being said, I absolutely love him in this spot Saturday night.
To compare Kamaru Usman to Khamzat Chimaev in 2026 is, to quote my old friend Brad, “like comparing shit and ice cream.” When these two faced off earlier this week, the size difference was honestly more noticeable than I expected. Usman is 39 years old. His days of title shots are behind him, and his knees seem to be deteriorating by the day.
His wrestling isn’t even in the same conversation as Chimaev’s, which is exactly what gave DDP all the problems in that fight. And what exactly is Usman fighting for at this point? It feels like it’s just paychecks.
I also don’t love him moving up to 185 pounds. He doesn’t have the frame of a DDP, a Sean Strickland, or even a Chimaev.
Yes, I know Usman was much more competitive against Chimaev than DDP was. But that was three years ago. Chimaev backpacked Usman for the entire first round before starting to gas. Against DDP, there was no gassing. That performance was clinical. It was one of the most flawless title performances we’ve seen in years.
The last time we saw Usman, he dominated Joaquin Buckley. Then Buckley came back a few months later at UFC 329 and got 10-7’d by Sean Brady’s wrestling. So how much stock are we really putting into that win?
I’m just not buying Usman here. I think he’s durable enough to make it to the scorecards, but I expect a whole lot of one way traffic for 25 minutes.
Prediction: Dricus Du Plessis by Decision
Jared Cannonier vs. Christian Leroy Duncan
The Killa Gorilla is somehow still hanging around at the ripe old age of 42.
Jared Cannonier’s best path to victory against Christian Leroy Duncan, who’s 12 years younger, is probably wrestling and control time. Cannonier still has power, but he’s gotten noticeably slower, which tends to happen when you’re 42 years old and still getting punched in the face for a living. His chin has also become a real concern.
CLD can be taken down, and he still gets a little reckless with some of the spinning attacks, but we’ve also seen him improve in those areas. Even when those attacks are sloppy, they still have to be respected because they’re capable of ending the fight instantly.
CLD is a very good striker who’s getting better every time we see him. Cannonier, on the other hand, is on the back nine of his career. These two are simply headed in opposite directions.
It’s not exactly a bold prediction, but give me CLD. The only real question is whether he gets the knockout or if The Killa Gorilla is tough enough to survive until the final bell.
Prediction: Christian Leroy Duncan by KO
Chase Hooper vs. Mitch Ramirez
This fight stinks with a capital S.
Nobody has burned more money as a massive favorite over the last year than Chase Hooper. At some point, you’ve got to think he’s on the chopping block because his chin has completely fallen apart.
His jiu-jitsu is legitimately good, but every time the fight stays standing, he seems to think he’s Carlos Prates. The problem is, he isn’t. His kicks are slow, ineffective, and leave him completely exposed.
Speaking of Carlos Prates, we have Mitch Ramirez, Prates’ old Dana White’s Contender Series sacrificial lamb. Ramirez simply isn’t UFC caliber.
This feels like the UFC practically begging Chase Hooper to finally get back in the win column, but he’s impossible to trust. Ramirez is going to come out winging bombs, and with Hooper, all it takes is one clean shot before he’s taking an involuntary nap.
Honestly, I’d stay away from this fight altogether. But if you’re a sick degenerate who has to bet every fight on the card, and trust me, I’m not judging, it’s dog or pass for me.
Hopefully Ramirez spent the week watching Terrance McKinney tape because that’s the blueprint. Sprint across the cage, create chaos, and don’t let Hooper settle into the fight.
And let the record show: if I’m right, I want full credit. If I’m wrong, I literally told you to stay away.
Prediction: Mitch Ramirez by KO
Betting Lean: Under 2.5 Rounds
Tabatha Ricci vs. Fatima Kline
Fatima Kline is very good.
She also has a pretty significant height and reach advantage, which is saying something because she’s not exactly the biggest fighter in the division. She trains with Erin Blanchfield, so you know she’s getting top-level work every single day.
I don’t think Tabatha Ricci is very good. Her striking leaves a lot to be desired, and for whatever reason, she’s drifted away from the wrestling that got her to the dance in the first place.
Kline is the better striker. She’s the better wrestler. She’s the better grappler. To me, the only question is how she gets it done.
I think Kline is absolutely live for a finish on the mat, whether it’s a club-and-sub or some nasty ground-and-pound. That said, I think the most likely outcome is her controlling the fight from start to finish and cruising to a comfortable decision.
Prediction: Fatima Kline by Decision
Tommy McMillen vs. Alberto Montes
I’m the president of the Tommy McMillen Hate Club.
I’d like to think my relentless keyboard abuse is the reason he deactivated his Twitter account. Whether that’s true or not, he’s just not worthy of the hype.
The UFC fed him an absolute can in his debut after a long layoff as part of the Sean O’Malley treatment. He trains with Suga, he’s one of Suga’s guys, and apparently he thinks he’s Suga too.
The problem is there’s one massive difference. When Sean O’Malley gets into striking battles, he’s elite at not getting hit. Tommy McMillen gets lit up like a Christmas tree.
He’s long, lanky, and marches forward nonstop. Those are about the only compliments I can give him. His cardio is suspect, and once he starts to fade, things unravel quickly.
Montes is giving up size, reach, and height, but he looks like the much more polished fighter. All he has to do is survive the early storm because Tommy will eventually be gift-wrapped for him.
And what do tired fighters do?
They give up their neck.
I think that’s exactly what happens Saturday night. McMillen will probably look decent for about half a round before the wheels start falling off. Once he starts getting pieced up, he’ll shoot a sloppy desperation takedown, Montes will snatch his neck, and that’ll be all she wrote for ol’ Tommy Boy.
Montes has a nasty D’Arce and anaconda choke, and I think he adds another one to the collection.
Prediction: Alberto Montes by Submission
Austin Bashi vs. Jose Miguel Delgado
Delgado was pretty underwhelming in his last fight against Andre Fili.
I expected a lot more from him, but Fili took him to a split decision. That’s concerning. Fili was able to take him down, and Delgado gets hit far more than I’d like to see.
His win over Hyder Amil hasn’t exactly aged like fine wine either.
Bashi is still very young, and you’d expect him to continue improving. He’s well-rounded, athletic, and talented, but he gets hit too.
This is probably the toughest fight on the entire card to predict, and I think we’re going to learn a lot about where both of these guys stand on Saturday night.
I expect this one to make it to the judges, and I honestly wouldn’t be shocked if we’re staring at another split decision when it’s over.
Prediction: Austin Bashi by Decision
Betting Lean: Fight Goes the Distance
Preliminary Card
Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani vs. Seokhyeon Ko
I actually like both of these guys.
Ko may have one of the best nicknames in the UFC right now: The Korean Tyson.
Nicknames aside, Ko has excellent takedowns and is surprisingly difficult to hit. JPL is a dynamic striker with legitimate finishing ability, but a split decision over Phil Rowe is at least a little concerning.
JPL is the more dangerous fighter on the feet and has all the flashy striking, but as I’ve already said, Ko is really good at staying out of danger.
I think Ko is one of the more underrated fighters on the roster, and I think a lot more people are going to realize just how good he is on Saturday night. I expect him to land timely takedowns, control positions, and bank minutes.
He knows exactly what he’s up against and understands the danger JPL presents on the feet. I think he’ll stick to the game plan, stay disciplined, and grind out a decision.
Prediction: Seokhyeon “The Korean Tyson” Ko by Decision
Levi Rodrigues Jr. vs. Felipe Franco
One of two PED redemption stories on this card belongs to Levi Rodrigues Jr.
This fight absolutely reeks of a greasy light heavyweight slop fest. Once the cardio disappears around the three-minute mark of Round 1, we’re probably in for another 12 minutes of pure torture.
Franco isn’t very good, cardio issues aside, but he did survive against Mario Pinto, who once looked like he was on the fast track to becoming a legitimate prospect before it turned out he wasn’t all that special either.
I honestly don’t know who wins this fight, and frankly, I don’t really give a shit.
I think this one reaches the final bell, and whoever gasses a little less gets their hand raised.
Prediction: Fight Goes the Distance
Alden Coria vs. Stewart Nicoll
I’ll keep this one short and sweet.
Stewart Nicoll is dog shit.
The UFC is probably counting down the days until his contract expires so they can send him on his way. Whatever hype and impressive record Nicoll brought into the UFC, he clearly left it at the front door.
Coria isn’t a world-beater, but he has a very solid wrestling and grappling game. He should land takedowns and dominate this fight from start to finish.
The only question is whether he wins by submission or decision.
The one thing Nicoll is remotely competent at, and I’m using “competent” very loosely, is grappling. Unfortunately for him, Coria is simply better there too.
By Saturday night, Coria at -1000 will probably look like a gift, but I don’t hate money enough to lay a number like that.
The betting value is probably Coria by decision, but Nicoll is so bad that I’ll call for the finish.
Prediction: Alden Coria by Submission
RJ Harris vs. Alvin Hines
Let’s give a warm welcome back to Alvin Hines, fresh off a PED suspension… for a fight he lost.
Way to go, Al. You got yourself an extended vacation and didn’t even have a win to show for it.
RJ Harris makes his UFC debut after coming over from LFA. He’s inexperienced with only five professional fights, but he’s undefeated.
He’s big, throws absolute bombs, and clearly has legitimate power. He’s also sloppy and very green.
We’re going to get two big dudes standing in the middle of the Octagon throwing haymakers until one of them inevitably starts sucking wind. It’ll be fun while it lasts.
I think Harris is the more dangerous fighter, and that’s enough for me to take a shot on him at plus money.
I think Hines sucks. Harris might actually turn into something with a little more seasoning.
Prediction: RJ Harris by KO
Anna Melisano vs. Dione Barbosa
Anna Melisano was Michael Bisping’s first overall pick on this season of The Ultimate Fighter, only to get bounced in the first round.
She entered the show with plenty of hype because of her striking and finishing ability, but against Melissa Amaya, she looked awful. She was flat-footed, stuck in the mud, and never looked comfortable.
The fact that she still earned a UFC contract and is fighting here tells me the UFC still believes in her potential.
Unfortunately for Bandana Anna, Dione Barbosa’s grappling may simply be too much.
It’s hard to back Melisano after what we saw on The Ultimate Fighter, especially considering it was the biggest fight of her career.
I’m not completely out on her as a prospect. I think she’ll benefit from getting more experience inside the Octagon, and if she somehow keeps this fight standing, she’ll absolutely have a chance. I just don’t think she’ll be able to.
Barbosa isn’t one of the elite fighters in the division, but she’s coming off a nice win over Melissa Gatto. She’s a solid grappler with very good jiu-jitsu, and I think she catches the inexperienced Melisano and gets the finish on the mat.
Prediction: Dione Barbosa by Submission
If this card somehow ends up being a banger, I’ll happily eat my words. On paper, though, this thing looks like the UFC matchmakers threw a bunch of names into a bingo cage and called it a day.
That said, these are usually the cards that end up surprising everyone. Prospects break out, hype trains derail, and every once in a while we get a heavyweight fight where both guys are still conscious after the first round. Miracles do happen.
Hopefully DDP reminds everyone why he was champion, Tommy McMillen gives me absolutely no reason to issue a public apology, and Chase Hooper either proves me wrong or at least gets knocked out quickly so we can all move on with our lives.
Enjoy the fights, enjoy the chaos, and if one of my terrible underdog calls actually hits, just remember- I knew it all along. If they all lose, we’ll simply pretend this card never happened and regroup next week.
