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Lightweights
NR | Damir Hadzovic (13-6) vs. NR | Yancy Medeiros (15-7, 6-7 UFC, 3-4 UFC)ODDS: Hadzovic (-115), Medeiros (-105)
It is easy to forget, but Medeiros was a UFC headliner as recently as 2018, when he faced Donald Cerrone. That bout was the culmination of a successful move up to welterweight for the Hawaiian. After a career as a fun but middling lightweight, Medeiros put together a three-fight winning streak at 170 pounds that included a 2017 “Fight of the Year” contender against Alex Oliveira. Cerrone knocked out Medeiros in their main event, and he has not done much since. Medeiros leaned out ahead of a return to lightweight that has not gone particularly well. Gregor Gillespie outwrestled him at the beginning of 2019, and he looked ineffective against Lando Vannata in a bout just prior to the coronavirus pandemic. Medeiros could definitely use a win here. Hadzovic had a rough entry into the UFC against Mairbek Taisumov in 2016 but has rounded out his game in the years since. The Bosnian has lowered his pace as he has become defensively mindful and mixed in some offensive wrestling, even if lackluster takedown defense has led to some recent losses. Medeiros still has the chops to deliver a knockout, but this should otherwise be Hadzovic’s fight. Even if he does not immediately pursue his wrestling, any trouble on the feet should lead him to do so, and Medeiros is not a particularly strong wrestler. The pick is Hadzovic via decision.
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