UFC Fight Island finishes this Saturday, but not before going out with a bang as we have a 15-fight card to look through. I’ve already previewed the first 4 prelim bouts, so now it’s time to look at the remaining 4 prelim bouts.
Movsar Evloev vs Mike Grundy – Featherweight Bout
Featherweights are next on the prelim menu as Movsar Evloev takes on Mike Grundy. Evloev is an undefeated fighter so far in his career, winning all 12 bouts. The Russian fighter is 2-0 in the UFC, after winning his last fight against Enrique Barzola via decision. Evloev has a pretty well-rounded skillset and will be looking to change things up as the fight goes on against Grundy.
Mike Grundy made his UFC debut back in March 2019 at UFC London, beating Nad Narimani via TKO, a fight I was there for live, and Grundy was extremely impressive in the fight. A TKO win wasn’t really on the thoughts of fans, as Grundy is a submission specialist and I’d imagine he’ll be going back to that gameplan with this fight.
This fight could be a really underrated one on this bumper card and both guys look to have decent potential going forward in the UFC. I think Grundy will win this one personally, but Evloev could simply out control Grundy on the floor and win the fight via decision.
Tom Aspinall vs Jake Collier – Heavyweight Bout
The 2nd heavyweight fight of the card is up next as Tom Aspinall makes his UFC debut against Jake Collier. Tom Aspinall went unbeaten as an amateur fighter and currently holds a 7-2 pro record, recently having a short but successful stint in Cage Warriors. Tom is a great striking heavyweight, who loves to throw hands with anyone he’s in the octagon with. He has a great chance to make an impressive debut with this fight.
Jake Collier holds a pro record of 11-4 and has struggled for consistency since making his UFC debut back in 2014. He hasn’t had a fight in almost 3 years and holds a UFC record of 3-3. Collier is another heavyweight who prefers to be standing in fights but he has 3 submission wins to his name, so there’s something on the ground that Aspinall will be wary of.
I’m picking Aspinall to win this one. Aspinall has been an impressive prospect in other promotions through the early stages of his career and I think he’ll have a decent time against Collier, considering Collier hasn’t fought in almost 3 years.
Nicolas Dalby vs Jesse Ronson – Welterweight Bout
Welterweights do battle next as two storied veterans go head to head as Nicolas Dalby and Jesse Ronson fight. Nicolas Dalby was a seriously hot prospect when he made his UFC debut back in 2015, however, after starting well with a win in is debut and then a draw with a young Darren Till, Dalby went on to lose his remaining 2 fights in the company and left for Cage Warriors. Dalby returned to the UFC back in September 2019 as he beat Alex Oliveira via decision. Dalby loves to grind out wins via decision, but he does have KO power in his punches.
Jesse Ronson has a pretty storied career, just like his opponent in this one. Ronson made his UFC debut back in 2013 as a highly rated prospect, however, he went on to lose all 3 bouts he had in the UFC and makes his return to the octagon in this one, hoping to have a better stint this time around. Ronson is a really well-rounded fighter, who has KO power on the feet, and is pretty good with a submission on the ground.
This fight is a really interesting oen between two MMA veterans, both guys are looking to impress in their second chance in the UFC and it’ll be interesting to see who wants it more. For me, I’m picking Dalby to win this one, I think he has more power on the feet and will find it easier to grind out a win.
Francisco Trinaldo vs Jai Herbert – Lightweight Bout
In the featured prelim bout of the night, UFC veteran Francisco Trinaldo welcomes prospect Jai Herbert to the UFC octagon as lightweights do battle. Francisco Trinaldo has been in the UFC since 2012 and has fought some big names like Kevin Lee, Paul Felder, Michael Chiesa, James Vick, and many more. Even at the age of 41, Trinaldo has proven in his last two fights that he can still perform at a top-level and he looks to make it 3 in a row against the newcomer.
Jai Herbert is currently 10-1 in his pro career as a mixed martial artist and looks to make an impressive debut in the UFC against Trinaldo. Herbert is a fantastic striker who has 8 KO/TKO wins to his name and he’ll look to finish the fight early against his opponent and claim a huge scalp for his first win in the UFC.
This fight is all about the UFC building a new star in the lightweight division in Jai Herbert, giving him an experienced veteran like Trinaldo to beat is a smart move as it’ll make his CV look more impressive. I’m going with Herbert to win, I think his power will be too much for the veteran to take.
Mandatory Credit: Jason Da Silva-USA TODAY Sportsh
