It's been six weeks since a UFC event was last hosted in the APEX, and it does not disappoint with an interesting fight card for MMA fans. The headliner sees an intriguing Welterweight matchup between the #8 contender, Gilbert Burns, and the #12 contender, Michael Morales. Here is everything you need to know before it all commences in the Octagon.
Burns increased his losing streak to three in his last bout after suffering an unanimous decision loss to Sean Brady at UFC Vegas 97, pushing him down the 170-pound rankings.
In all fairness, the Brazilian's other two losses have come against Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena who have both become UFC Welterweight Champion.
Durinho is a talented all-round fighter holding six KO/TKO victories and nine submission wins out of 22 career triumphs in MMA.
The #8 contender is in dying need of redemption as a loss will drop him further down the rankings and put him in a position where he may have to fight to keep himself in the organisation.
Morales raised his undefeated record to 17 wins after defeating Neil Magny by first-round TKO at UFC Vegas 96, allowing him to enter the Welterweight rankings in five fights with the organisation.
The Ecuadorian has notably stopped many battles with eight finishes ending in the first round, including his UFC debut when he knocked out Trevin Giles at UFC 270.
The 25-year-old is a dangerous knockout artist who holds 12 KO/TKO wins, as well as picking up one submission triumph.
The #12 contender has looked like a serious prospect at 170 pounds as a win against a former title challenger could put him one or two fights away from entering title contention, while rising up the rankings.
other fights you should look out for
Rodolfo Bellato vs Paul Craig - Bellato went the distance in a crazy fight with Jimmy Crute which ended in a majority draw at UFC 312, meaning that he is still unbeaten after five fights. The Trator rarely goes the distance in his battles as out of 12 victories, seven have ended by KO/TKO and four have ended by submission. The Brazilian will be aiming to get back in the win column as he tries to collect another knockout win in the UFC.
Craig is currently on a three-fight losing streak after suffering his most recent defeat to Bo Nickal by unanimous decision at UFC 309. Just like his opponent, BearJew doesn't like to go to the judges scorecards as with a 100% finish rate, he's earned four KO/TKO wins and 13 submissions. The Scotsman is in possible danger of being cut from the organisation after only winning one fight in his last six, making it his most crucial one yet.
Dustin Stoltzfus vs Nursulton Ruziboev - Stoltzfus redeemed himself in his last fight as he knocked out Marc-Andre Barriault in the first round at UFC Edmonton, vanishing his first-round knockout loss to Brunno Ferreira in UFC Louisville. The Lancaster-born fighter has 16 wins in his MMA career, stopping three of his enemies by KO/TKO and six by submission. Stoltzfus has yet to start a win streak in the UFC as this could be his prime time to do so.
Ruziboev found redemption on his return to Middleweight at UFC Seattle with a second-round TKO victory over Eric McConico after his Welterweight loss to Joaquin Buckley. With 35 career wins, the Uzbekistan fighter has 33 of his opponents with 13 KO/TKO wins and 20 submissions. Ruziboev has looked unstoppable in the Middleweight division as an early knockout win at UFC Vegas 106 could put him close to the 185-pound rankings.
Jared Gordon vs Thiago Moises - Gordon just edged out a defeat in his last bout, losing by split decision against Nasrat Haqparast at UFC Saudi Arabia despite many believing he had done enough to win. Flash has stopped nine of his 20 conquered opponent with seven KO/TKO victories and two submissions. The New York mixed martial artist will be wanting to get back to winning ways as he looks for redemption in the APEX.
Moises redeemed himself in his last fight after defeating Trey Ogden by unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 101. The Brazilian has finished 12 of his 19 opponents, earning four KO/TKO triumphs and eight submissions. Moises has struggled to start a win streak since January 2023 as he aims to gain closer to a position in the Lightweight rankings once again after previously being a #14 contender in the division.
Who will end UFC Vegas 106 victorious between Gilbert Burns and Michael Morales? Which fight are you looking forward to the most?
Written by Charlie Oxtoby
Instagram: charlie_oxtoby
MMA Instagram: undisputed._.mma
Twitter: Charlie_Oxtoby1
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