Its typical for UFC fights bumped as much as the centerpiece to stay three rounds, however when Waterson and Hill got a promo a week back following a favorable COVID-19 test that knocked Glover Teixeira out of a main occasion match with Thiago Santos, the 2 strawweight veterans had no issue adding another 10 minutes onto their punch cards.
In other main card action, all-action lightweights Ottman Azaitar and Khama Worthy collide in the co-main event, flyweights Roxanne Modafferi and Andrea Lee satisfy in a rematch from December 2014, veteran Ed Herman takes on Mike Rodriguez in a light heavyweight bout, light-weight Bobby Green makes a quick turnaround to eliminate Alan Patrick, and featherweight Billy Quarantillo intends to go 3-0 in the UFC when he battles Kyle Nelson.
Now theyll close out UFC Vegas 10 on Saturday, with Waterson headlining a UFC show for the third time in her career and Hill becoming the very first Black American female to do so. The significance of the moment isnt lost on Hill, who discussed what this achievement implies amidst the present social unrest in North America.
There are no half procedures for Michelle Waterson and Angela Hill.
Beyond any further reaching ramifications, Waterson requires a win to avoid a three-fight skid that keep her dreams of becoming a “mother champ” from ever coming true, and Hill needs to prove that shes more than simply a fighter prepared to take a reservation at the drop of a hat.
What: UFC Vegas 10
Where: UFC APEX in Las Vegas
Angela Hill vs. Michelle Waterson
Alexander Romanov def. Roque Martinez
Kyle Nelson vs. Billy Quarantillo
Look out light-weight division, Bobby Green is hitting his stride again.
Ottman Azaitar vs. Khama Worthy
Julia Avila def. Sijara Eubanks
Green by choice.
Pick: Worthy
Select: Modafferi
Roxanne Modafferi vs. Andrea Lee
Bryan Barberena def. Anthony Ivy
Quarantillo has the edge in speed and athleticism, so even if Nelson brings the battle to him, hes capable of turning things around rapidly. Nelsons opening salvo will be snuffed out by Quarantillos grappling and after a hard-fought round or 2, Quarantillo will find a win through submission.
Certainly, Lee has made as much strides on the ground as Modafferi has on the feet, however I dont understand if theyve altered enough for the result to be various. Modafferi wont be reluctant to fulfill Lee blow-for-blow and she can doing serious damage in a range of methods now instead of back in the day when her standup was made up of mostly simple punching mixes.
Ed Herman lastly has himself a battle (fingers crossed). When its all stated and done, it might not be one hell want to keep in mind.
When: Saturday, Sept. 12. The six-fight preliminary card begins at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN+, with the six-fight main card starting at 8 p.m. likewise on ESPN+.
Select: Green
After outliving Spike Carlyle in his newest getaway, Billy Quarantillo gets another quick starter in Kyle Nelson. The 29-year-old Canadian isnt the wild guy that Carlyle is, but hes an excellent wrestler with heavy hands who could shock Quarantillo early in the battle.
Jalin Turner def. Brok Weaver
Roosevelt Roberts def. Kevin Croom
The 39-year-old Ultimate Fighter 3 veteran has had some great moments at 205 pounds; in fact, hes presently on his first winning streak in over 8 years. Hes not a real light heavyweight and Mike Rodriguez is. Herman will quit a lot of size and strength on fight night.
Maybe Herman goes back to his battling roots to grind out a win against Rodriguez, something he hasnt shown much inclination to do given that moving up from middleweight. Aside from having questionable protective skills, Rodriguez is a significant risk in the standup and could put Herman down at variety or in the clinch.
Select: Quarantillo
Preliminaries
Patrick brings unconventional striking and a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt into this matchup, though if history is any sign hes going to keep this one standing. Anticipate him to come out of evictions hot, firing at Green from distance and just starting grappling if theres a clear opening for it.
Bobby Green vs. Alan Patrick
Hill has actually shown a lots of improvements in her 2nd run with the UFC and in spite of her recent split choice loss it feels like shes peaking as a potential contender in 2020. Try to find her to land the harder shots and score more regularly en path to a choice win.
Sabina Mazo def. Justine Kish
Its one thing for Angela Hill to have a credibility as a busy, hard-working fighter, however if she wants to stroll the walk of a legitimate competitor it has to start with a triumph over a name like Michelle Waterson. Hill certainly has the tools to make it happen. That didnt work out for her in her previous fight with Claudia Gadelha, though not due to any lack of effort on Hills part.
Lee is comfy grappling and her athleticism permits some remarkable gets away and passes on the mat. She will not want to remain there long with Modafferi though as “The Happy Warrior” is merely more fluent when it comes to throws, sweeps, and submissions. Modafferi also has more ways to win this battle, which is why I like her possibilities.
This one need to be awesome.
This is a coin toss, however Ill choose Worthy since of his experience benefit.
Hills strong takedown defense will be put to the test if Waterson clinches up and drags the battle to the fence. It will only take a few dominant ground series from Waterson to use Hill down and alter the whole complexion of the battle.
Choose: Rodriguez
Its time for “Overkill” to finally snag that signature win.
In Ottman Azaitar, the UFC has discovered a prospect whose sole goal when he steps into the cage is to knock someone out. There is almost no position in which Azaitar wont try to land a haymaker.
Although I believe Worthy must beware, hes more than capable of landing his own KO blow or capturing Azaitar with a submission, and I like his difficult motion a bit more than Azaitars more traditional technique. That stated, Azaitars hand speed is frightening and can comprise the difference there.
Ought to this be mainly a standup battle, I still prefer Modafferi, though just a little. Shes actually developed an in-cage mean streak over the last few years that belies her nickname and if she beats Lee to the punch then the battle is hers for the taking.
Search for “Slow” to continue to defy his label and choose up another first-round finish.
Though its been almost six years because their first battle, anticipate this rematch in between Roxanne Modafferi and Andrea Lee to play out in comparable style.
That attitude makes him the best possible challenger for Khama Worthy and also an incredibly dangerous one. Deserving isnt shy about the truth that, like Azaitar, his goal is to complete and amuse, not to win decisions. Hes inviting Azaitar to enter a phone cubicle with him and drop bombs. He might regret this.
Its one thing for Angela Hill to have a credibility as a busy, hard-working fighter, but if she desires to stroll the walk of a genuine contender it has to start with a victory over a name like Michelle Waterson. That didnt work out for her in her previous battle with Claudia Gadelha, though not due to any absence of effort on Hills part.
Pick: Hill.
Ed Herman vs. Mike Rodriguez
Its difficult not to like Quarantillos chances though. Hes well-rounded with a particular propensity for scrambling that will pay dividends against Nelson. Both fighters are book contemporary blended martial artists who reveal equivalent enthusiasm whether theyre trading and standing or battling for ground position.
Hills strong takedown defense will be put to the test if Waterson clinches up and drags the battle to the fence. It will only take a few dominant ground series from Waterson to wear Hill down and change the entire skin tone of the battle.
Yes, weve been her before with “King,” a gifted fighter who has been taking one action forward and 2 actions back for many years now. And yes, he has anything but a simple matchup in the long and rangy Alan Patrick. However when Green is on, he can complete with the finest at 155 pounds.
In my eyes, thats precisely the type of method that plays to Greens strengths. “Nuguette” just hasnt revealed that he can regularly string together strikes in a significant way without getting countered. You cant afford a lot of errors versus a boxer of Greens caliber.
