The UFC returns to Edmonton for the primary time in 5 years for UFC Struggle Night time 246 at Rogers Position on Saturday night time.
The principle match includes a struggle of flyweight contenders in Brandon Moreno and Amir Albazi, who was once pressured to delay the at the start scheduled combat in Mexico Town previous this yr because of neck surgical procedure.
Moreno returns to the octagon for the primary time since dropping to Brandon Royval in February. After an eight-month damage following a couple of break up choice losses, the two-time former flyweight champion returns to stand Albazi, who’s coming off a fair lengthier damage.
Albazi ultimate fought in June 2023, when he earned a break up choice win over Kai Kara-France to support his UFC report to 5-0. The neck damage proved a setback, however Albazi can reinsert himself a few of the best contenders within the weight elegance if he can get by means of Moreno.
Moreno opened because the -160 favourite at BetMGM, and the ones odds have reinforced additional to -175 in spite of the entire cash wagered at the combat being break up flippantly. Albazi has drawn 65 p.c of the entire bets made.
The principle card kicks off at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
OTHER MAIN CARD FIGHTS
Rose Namajunas vs. Erin Blanchfield
The co-main match could also be a flyweight struggle. Namajunas, a former two-time champion at strawweight, has already scored unanimous choice victories over Amanda Ribas and Tracy Cortez this yr. Blanchfield is coming off a loss to Manon Fiorot in March, her first setback in seven UFC fights, however nonetheless poses an important take a look at for Namajunas.
Each warring parties are looking to place themselves as the following contender in the back of Fiorot for a shot at identify holder Valentina Shevchenko. Blanchfield, who remains to be most effective 25, is the -140 favourite and has been sponsored by means of 56 p.c of the bets. On the other hand, the better-known Namajunas has been supported by means of 59 p.c of the cash.
Derrick Lewis vs. Jhonata Diniz
Diniz is a graduate of Dana White’s Contender Sequence, and will proceed his get up the scores with a win over the veteran Lewis. Lewis ran his report of UFC knockouts to fifteen with a third-round stoppage of Rodrigo Nascimento in Would possibly. On the other hand, he hasn’t gained consecutive fights in 3 years, whilst Diniz has kicked off his promotion occupation with wins over Austen Lane and Karl Williams.
Lewis has been a well-liked underdog, drawing 69 p.c of the bets and 78 p.c of the cash to disillusioned Diniz (-165).
Caio Machado vs. Brendson Ribeiro
Each warring parties have been a part of the DWCS ultimate yr, with Machado transferring right down to mild heavyweight after losing his first two UFC appearances at heavyweight. Ribeiro has likewise discovered the going tough early in his UFC occupation, dropping to Zhang Mingling in his debut and maximum not too long ago Magomed Gadzhiyasulov.
The general public has been just about break up on which fighter will earn his first UFC victory on Saturday night time. Ribeiro has garnered 53 p.c of the entire bets at +125, whilst Machado has been supported by means of 54 p.c of the cash because the -150 favourite.
Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Dustin Stoltzfus
Those middleweights are each taking a look to rebound from losses. Barriault was once stopped by means of Joe Pyfer in September for his 2d consecutive defeat, whilst Stoltfus was once dropped by means of Brunno Ferreira his ultimate day trip.
Barriault has observed lopsided motion with 88 p.c of the cash backing him because the heavy -200 favourite. On the other hand, Stoltzfus has drawn 55 p.c of the entire bets at +165.
Mike Malott vs. Trevin Giles
The principle card opens with a welterweight combat between Malott and Giles. Malott is coming off a third-round stoppage loss to Neil Magny in January, whilst Giles has misplaced his previous two fights. He has misplaced 3 consecutive towards DWCS alums, and will get a shot to wreck that streak Saturday night time.
Malott opened because the -275 favourite, however the ones odds have shortened even additional to -350 as he has been sponsored by means of 77 p.c of the cash to overcome Giles, who has lengthened from +210 to +260.
–Box Degree Media
