This weekend (Sat., July 13, 2024), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) ventures forth to Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., for UFC Denver. Once again, we’re looking at a reasonably good card that got torched by injury. The loss of athletes in both the main- and co-main events hurts, but at least the remaining halves of those match ups — Rose Namajunas and Drew Dober — remain booked against new opposition. All told, 22 athletes are scheduled to compete in the “Mile High City,” and we’ll find out on fight night who took the time to acclimate to the altitude.

Now, let’s delve into each of the main card fights that precede the co-main event.

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Lightweight: Drew Dober (-105) vs. Jean Silva (-115)

Best Win for Dober? Bobby Green For Silva? Charles Jourdain
Current Streak: Dober lost his last bout, whereas Silva has won two in a row inside the Octagon
X-Factor: Silva fought two weeks ago and is fighting up a weight class
How these two match up: Even disregarding the bout’s status as a last-second booking, this is a banger!

Dober is an all-action Lightweight, a Southpaw kickboxer with proven knockout power and durability. Historically, he’s had difficulty getting held down by superior wrestlers, but Dober has improved that aspect of his game enough to become ranked on at least a couple occasions. Silva, meanwhile, is a power-punching Featherweight who just sparked Charles Jourdain at UFC 303 (watch it). He rebounds quickly here and takes a huge jump up in competition, but it’s also a major opportunity for “Lord Assassin.”

With the exception of the top-tier Featherweights, facing Dober on short notice appears to be an incredibly difficult challenge. He stands out as one of the largest Lightweights on the roster, intensifying the difficulty. While there is a slim possibility that Silva may catch Dober off guard with his quickness in the beginning, it is worth noting that Dober has consistently demonstrated resilience by recovering swiftly from significant blows.

It is highly probable that the two individuals engage in a physical confrontation, resulting in a slightly disordered situation. However, Dober’s considerable size, strength, and prior training prove advantageous as he secures a remarkable knockout victory, setting a new record in the Lightweight category.

Prediction: Dober via knockout

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Welterweight: Gabriel Bonfim (-395) vs. Ange Loosa (+310)

Best Win for Bonfim? Trevin Giles For Loosa? John Howard
Current Streak: Bonfim lost his last bout, whereas Loosa won two in a row prior to his “No Contest” vs. Bryan Battle
X-Factor: How does Bonfim respond from his first career defeat?
How these two match up: This feels like an opportunity for Bonfim to bounce back.

The Brazilian is just 26 years of age, but has been a professional since 2014. In his trio of UFC fights, Bonfim has demonstrated serious skill on the feet and on the mat, though Nicholas Dalby was able to out-dog him and hand “Marrentinha” his first career defeat. Despite that loss, he should still be considered a quality Welterweight prospect.

On the other hand, Loosa has already competed in four fights in his UFC career. Although he lacks any exceptional skills, his versatility and solid athletic foundation have helped him stay in the game up until now. Honestly, in his recent match against Battle, Loosa was taking quite a beating, but an contentious eye poke resulted in a “No Contest” decision, giving him a way out.

Bonfim seems to have the advantage in this match, both in terms of technical skill and athleticism. Loosa, on the other hand, lacks the exceptional speed and toughness possessed by Bonfim. Furthermore, Loosa’s overall experience in fights is fewer compared to Bonfim, making it highly unlikely to expect a “veteran win” from him.

I foresee Bonfim securing their 13th tapout victory.

Prediction: Bonfim via submission

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Featherweight: Christian Rodriguez (-205) vs. Julian Erosa (+170)

Best Win for Rodriguez? Raul Rosas Jr. For Erosa? Hakeem Dawodu
Current Streak: Rodriguez has won four in a row, while Erosa won his last bout
X-Factor: Erosa is wildly inconsistent
How these two match up: Expect violence.

After two unsuccessful attempts, “Juicy J” finally found success in securing a spot on UFC’s roster during his third try. Despite the initial setbacks, he quickly made up for lost opportunities by securing remarkable victories that became highlights of his career. As an action-packed Featherweight fighter, he became known for delivering exciting performances. However, his defense still remains a vulnerability that he needs to address.

In the meantime, Rodriguez has proven himself to be a promising contender. Despite being only 26 years old, he possesses the composure and diverse set of skills that one would expect from a seasoned athlete. He has consistently displayed his ability to outlast his opponents. It’s worth noting, however, that this is only his second fight at 145 pounds, as he was compelled to move up a weight class after two unsuccessful attempts to cut down to Bantamweight.

Predicting this match-up is challenging as Rodriguez has not faced anyone similar to Erosa before. However, it is worth noting that Erosa has a unique fighting style, earning him the nickname “Juicy J.” Rodriguez’s recent victories have involved defending against takedowns and capitalizing on opponents’ fatigue. However, Erosa’s strategy differs significantly. He aims to exploit his considerable height and reach advantages by tactically dismantling his opponent.

It is highly probable that this fight will primarily take place on the feet. While Rodriguez possesses superior boxing skills and speed, Erosa’s length and cunningness pose a considerable threat. Furthermore, Rodriguez is not known for his knockout power, which has traditionally been the key to defeating Erosa.

In my opinion, the chances seem evenly balanced, despite what the odds suggest. Nevertheless, I will still support the emerging contender.

Prediction: Rodriguez via decision

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Middleweight: Cody Brundage (+130) vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan (-155)

Best Win for Brundage? Tresean Gore For Alhassan? Niko Price
Current Streak: Both men lost their last bout
X-Factor: Both tend to win or lose quickly
How these two match up: There’s little chance this one makes it to the judges.

Both athletes possess a strong inclination towards either ending the fight or being the one who gets finished, albeit with contrasting approaches. Brundage, an adept wrestler, exhibits impatience and employs a relentless style characterized by powerful overhand swings, forceful slams, and attempts to secure chokes. On the other hand, Alhassan, a Judoka, favors launching colossal punches that either render his opponent unconscious or exhaust them significantly.

Both men lack defensive skills, making it seem like whoever strikes or brings the fight to the ground first will have the advantage. It is probable that Alhassan’s strength will prevent Brundage from easily overpowering him and taking him down. As a result, Brundage will have to engage in stand-up fighting while Alhassan is at his strongest, and it seems that Brundage is not fond of being on the receiving end of punches.

If that’s the situation, it will be quick.

Prediction: Alhassan via knockout

‘X-Factor’ Picks for 2024: 26-17 (2)

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Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Denver fight card right here, starting with the ESPN/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches, which are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET, then the remaining main card balance on ESPN (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC Denver: “Namajunas vs. Cortez” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.