This weekend (Saturday, June 3, 2023), the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) stays inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, with UFC Vegas 74. For the first time in several years, the Flyweights headline the show, as long-time contender, Kai Cara-France, pulling away from would-be leader Amir Elbazy. Prior to that 125-pound showdown, many veterans like Jim Miller, Tim Elliott, and Alex Caceres, among others, would prove to be quality entertainers. It’s not necessarily a star-studded show, but it should be a lot of fun.
Let’s dive in and take a closer look at the main card matches leading up to the co-main event:
Lightweight: Jim Miller vs. Jared Gordon
Miller’s best win? Charles Oliveira for Gordon? Make the days
current tag: Miller lost his last match, while Gordon was recently involved in a “no contest” with Bobby Green
x factor: Gordon passed out six weeks ago
How do these two match?: Two members of the lightweight veterans circuit are going down.
Miller is a UFC legend. He holds multiple records for longevity, and even at the age of 39, he proved in February that he can fight hard for three full rounds. A Southpaw jiu-jitsu master, Miller has good strength and is always a threat with his sudden submissions. Historically, Gordon is a grinder, straight wrestler looking to wear down opponents and win a battle of wills. However, his last few fights have seen Gordon really hone his boxing and counterpunches, which are increasingly becoming a strength for “Flash”.
This is an exciting match, and it tore me apart. On the one hand, Gordon’s boxing and wrestling seem poised to take on Miller, who tends to struggle on the scorecards when the finish doesn’t materialize. Gordon isn’t the easiest to apply, as top-tier wrestler Joe Solecki discovered in his three-round scrap.
On the contrary, Gordon was beaten by FK less than two months ago. I don’t care that the unconsciousness came from the back of my head, that’s a lot of damage! It doesn’t seem to me that Gordon has fully recovered from that incident And He had time to train for this battle.
So, either he trained through some bad brain trauma or he goes into this fight unprepared – two bad choices. His performance may not have been affected, but Miller cracked hard enough to test him.
Prediction: Miller by submission
flyweight: Tim Elliott vs. Victor Altamirano
Elliott’s best win? Rent Ulanbekov for tamirano? Vinicius Salvador
current tag: Altamirano has won his last two matches, while Elliott is back on the winning pole the last time out
x factor: They are both weirdos
How do these two match?: Not one, but two flyweight fights on the main card?!? How progressive.
Altamirano wins fights by being disorganized with his offense. He’s got that awkward timing of Keith Jardine, but more important is that he can outrun an opponent and outlast him. Elliott does exactly the same thing, but his speed is up to 11. There’s no one more eccentric than Elliott, who occasionally shows his brilliance with multi-level combos and a deeply frustrating overhead control.
This seems like pitting the parent against the branch. Elliott’s antics have seen him defeat stellar fighters and earn the UFC title, aided in this by his hefty 125-pound bulk. Altamirano, meanwhile, is heading into life-changing decisions with opponents he doesn’t remember most of the fights he fights, and at 32 years old, it’s not like he’s such a predictable youngster that we should expect to suddenly up his game.
Now, the warnings that Elliott is 36 and he sometimes falls into submissions should be considered. It’s not a lock by any means, but I expect the Elliott to soundly outperform its Kirkland Signature variant.
Prediction: Elliott by decision
Women’s flyweight: Karen Silva against. Caitlin Souza
Silva’s best win? Poliana Botelho for Souza? Giselle Moreira
current tag: Silva won her UFC debut one year ago, while Souza made her UFC debut five years in a row.
x factor: Possible tensions in the UFC for Souza
How do these two match?: For a relatively unknown 125-pound pair, this is a great match.
Silva is the real deal breaker. She is athletic on her feet and clearly has great power in her punches, two factors that are uncommon in her department. Even better, she’s an excellent, aggressive wrestler once at the top, and she’s notched several finishes on the floor to boot. Souza can’t match her athletic opponents, but she is an accomplished striker with a strong determination. The former Invicta FC champ moves well, changing positions and blasting powerful kicks from either side.
This sounds like a fun boxing match, but Silva is simply the more dangerous woman. They seem to hit harder, and if they hit this canvas they should be favored to lock up on one end. Sousa’s winning route involves stretching and brawling her way to a 15-minute decision victory, but she has to avoid getting caught or getting cut somewhere along the way.
This is a long request. It is possible that the “killer” will still be perfect inside the Octagon and take a second win by stoppage.
Prediction: Silva by submission
Remember that MMAmania.com It will provide comprehensive, blow-by-blow live coverage of the entire UFC Vegas 74 fight card herestarting from ESPN+ “Prelims” matches, which are set to start at 6 p.m. ET, then the remaining main card balance (also in ESPN+) 9 p.m. ET.
To check out the latest and greatest UFC Vegas 74: ‘Cara France vs. Albazi’ news and highlights, be sure to check out our extensive event archive here.