Block Six Preview: Song v Simon
This weekend's UFC Fight Night boasts an explosive card, which promises to shake up contender credentials in the Bantamweight and Middleweight divisions.
Here, we analyse each of the Block Six featured fights, bringing you closer to the $10,000 in $BLOCK prize pool at stake.
You can play Block Six for free. No download or registration required. It's quick and easy to make your picks, and this week there is a guaranteed 'Performance of the Night' Bonus winner, who will secure $250 in $BLOCK for the most correct picks on the night!
UPDATE: Due to Brian Kelleher's withdrawal from this weekend's UFC Vegas 72 event, Block Six will now have five featured fights. Please select any outcome for the Kelleher v Newson. All predictions for this fight will be void. We will now be scoring Block Six on the remaining five bouts, with a Prize Pool of $5,000 in $BLOCK.
Song Yadong v Ricky Simon
Topping the bill in Vegas this weekend, we have a thrilling bantamweight clash between the rising Chinese star, Song Yadong (19-7-1, 1NC), and the tenacious American wrestler, Ricky Simon (20-3). This bout has all the makings of a classic, as both fighters are hungry to continue their ascent up the 135-pound rankings.
Song Yadong, the 25-year-old sensation from China, has been turning heads with his impressive striking skills and well-rounded game. However, last time out, Song suffered a setback, losing to Corey Sandhagen due to a doctor stoppage for a bad cut on his eye.
That said, Song's crisp boxing, combined with his powerful kicks, makes him a formidable threat to any opponent. Training out of Team Alpha Male, Yadong has been sharpening his grappling skills, which will be crucial against a dominant wrestler like Simon.
Ricky Simon, a 30-year-old grappling specialist from the United States, is a relentless force inside the Octagon. With a record of 5-0 in his last five bouts, Simon has shown he can hang with the best in the division. Known for his suffocating pressure and relentless wrestling, Simon has the ability to wear down opponents over the course of a fight. Training at Gracie Barra Portland, Simon will be well-prepared for the striking threat that Yadong presents.
This captivating matchup will test the mettle of both fighters, as they vie for the opportunity to move closer to a title shot. Will Song Yadong's striking prowess and improved grappling be enough to secure the victory, or will Ricky Simon's relentless wrestling and pressure overwhelm the Chinese star?
Caio Borralho v Michal Oleksiejczuk
Blockasset athlete, Caio Borralho will look to continue his ascent up the middleweight rankings in Las Vegas on Saturday - but faces an awkward challenge in Michal Oleksiejczuk.
Having fought ten previous fights with the UFC, Oleksiejczuk holds a respectable record 6-3(1). The Polish striker decided to drop down from light heavyweight after a unanimous decision loss to Dustin Jacoby, but has found the switch to middleweight to be profitable, with first round KO victories over Sam Alvey and Cody Brundage.
Hard-fought decision victories over fellow contenders Armen Petrosyan and Makhmud Muradov have seen Caio Borralho heralded as 'the one to watch' in the UFC's middleweight ranks.
The Brazilian fighter's impressive showings on Dana White's Contender Series has also helped Borralho forge a reputation as one of the most promising grapplers in his weight class. However, Borralho needs to be cautious of his opponent's power this weekend.
It's a classic tale of power meets skill in this match-up on Saturday. Borralho has skill in abundance, but Oleksiejczuk has proven knockout power and durability at 185lbs. 'The Natural' has shown his nous in each of his previous UFC bookings, and Borralho should have more than enough in his locker to claim another W here.
RODOLFO VIEIRA VS CODY BRUNDAGE
After their previously scheduled fight was canceled last November, fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming matchup between Rodolfo Vieira and Cody Brundage. Vieira's strengths and weaknesses are well-known and it will be fascinating to see how they match up against Brundage, a collegiate wrestler, in this intriguing contest.
Brundage is a formidable opponent when in a dominant position, but Vieira is confident in his ability to submit him from any angle if he's taken down. While Brundage could potentially secure a win if he keeps the fight standing, if he relies on his wrestling skills, even one small mistake could lead to a quick defeat.
Despite being a heavy underdog, Brundage could be a smart pick, but it could all unravel quickly if he decides to wrestle the Brazilian.
Whilst it's hard to predict any of Brundage's fights, fans are guaranteed entertainment. This fight with Vieira is a cross-roads in Brundage's UFC career, following a heavy defeat to Oleksiejczuk last time out. It wouldn't be as surprising as the odds suggest to see Brundage back in the win column come Sunday.
Julian Erosa v Fernando Padillo
Julian Erosa's third stint in the UFC has proven to be successful, with a three-fight win streak under his belt. He submitted Charles Jourdain in 2021, narrowly defeated Steven Peterson via split decision in 2022, and won a convincing unanimous decision over Hakeem Dawodu in the same year. However, his streak was ended by fellow veteran Alex Caceres in 2022, who delivered a stunning head kick knockout in the first round.
Erosa returns to the APEX to face Fernando Padillo, a relatively inactive fighter with a record of 14-4. Although Padillo has fought for various promotions, he has not been very active, with only two fights in the past three years. He lost a unanimous decision to Spike Carlyle for CXF in 2019 and returned to LFA two years later, where he earned a split decision over Nate Richardson and followed that up with a TKO victory over Cameron Graves.
Despite Padillo's dangerous striking, Erosa's experience and high-volume style are likely to overwhelm him if he starts slowly. While Padillo is only 26 and has the potential to capitalize on Erosa's average defense and weathered chin, this is a tough debut for an inactive fighter.
MARCOS ROGERIO DE LIMA VS WALDO CORTES-ACOSTA
After failing to win two consecutive fights since his UFC debut, Marcos Rogerio de Lima finally broke the streak by winning a unanimous decision over Maurice Greene, followed by a first-round TKO victory over Ben Rothwell. Despite building some momentum, he lost a unanimous decision to Blagoy Ivanov in 2022 before bouncing back with a submission win over Andrei Arlovski later that year.
De Lima will now face off against Waldo Cortes-Acosta, who has yet to experience a loss in his nine-fight professional career. After knocking out Danilo Suzart on the Contender Series, he earned two unanimous decision victories over Jared Vanderaa and Chase Sherman in the same year, extending his unbeaten record.
While De Lima's grappling has been a weakness in the UFC, his win over Arlovski was impressive given that the former champion had not been finished in his last four bouts. De Lima will likely prefer to face another striker in Cortes-Acosta, who possesses a dangerous boxing style and a three-inch reach and height advantage.
De Lima has a more diverse range of strikes, but he tends to favor brawling, which could play into Cortes-Acosta's hands. If De Lima decides to trade punches and stand in front of Cortes-Acosta, he could be in danger of getting knocked out. However, if he fights smartly and mixes in his grappling, as he did against Arlovski, he should be able to secure a victory.
You have read the preview, now it's time to make your picks!
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