UFC Fight Island 2: Figueiredo vs. Joseph Benavidez 2 Stitty Wap Sports Preview and Bets

Double Header week for the UFC from Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. A fairly stacked card headlined with a rematch of the February (kinda) Vacant Flyweight Title fight between Joseph Benavidez and Deiveson Figueiredo. Unfortunately, for Figueiredo he missed weight last time out and was unable to claim the belt after knocking Joe B out in the 2nd round. The card will also feature an important Middleweight match-up between Kelvin Gastelum and Jack Hermasson as both look to get back in the win column and in the title picture. I highlight both of those fights, as well as my pick for the upset of the night, lock of the night, and fight of the night. Get ready for this Saturday's action on Yas Island with another edition of Stitty Wap's Previews and #RideWithStittyWap.

OVERALL RECORD: 68-30 (9-4 last)

LOCK OF THE NIGHT: 1-0 (Rose Namajunas last) (Marc Diakiese)

UPSET: 0-1 (Jose Aldo last) (Askar Askarov)

UFC Fight Island 2: Figueiredo vs. Joseph Benavidez 2 fight card, odds

• Flyweight Title (125): Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Joseph Benavidez (-220/+180)

• Middleweight (185): Jack Hermansson vs. Kelvin Gastelum (+105/-125)

• Lightweight (155): Marc Diakiese vs. Rafael Fiziev (-160/+135)

• Women's Flyweight (125): Ariane Lipski vs. Luana Carolina (-130/+110)

• Flyweight (125): Alexandre Pantoja vs. Askar Askarov (-200/+170)

Preliminary Card (ESPN+)

• Light Heavyweight (205): Khadis Ibragimov vs. Roman Dolidze (+160/-190)

• Catchweight (150): Grant Dawson vs. Nad Narimani (-240/+200)

• Lightweight (155): Joseph Duffy vs. Joel Álvarez (-360/+280)

• Bantamweight (135): Brett Johns vs. Montel Jackson (+200/-240)

• Flyweight (125): Malcolm Gordon vs. Amir Albazi

• Lightweight (155): Davi Ramos vs. Arman Tsarukyan (+170/-200)

• Heavyweight (205+): Sergey Spivak vs. Carlos Felipe (-150/+125)

(Via CBS)

Men’s Vacant Flyweight Title/Main Event (125)

#1: Deiveson "Deus da Guerra" Figueiredo, (18-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) (Favorite)

#2: Joseph "JoeJitsu" Benavidez, (28-6 MMA, 15-4 UFC), (Underdog)

Here we go with Round 2 of the Vacant Flyweight Title left behind by "Triple C" Henry Cejudo. This fight almost was cancelled due to a false positive test last week from Figueiredo but he was able to pass the second test and fly over to Abu Dhabi. There is still a little worry about this fight, however, as Deiveson missed weight for the February bout and will only have a few days to make weight upon arrival on Fight Island. Considering "Figgy" KO'd Benavidez in the 2nd round of the first fight this has the potential to kill off the Flyweight division if he were to miss and win again.

What a scrap the first fight was. You had Benavidez in real trouble early on with an armbar that was fully extended only to see "JoeJitsu" in full effect as he was able to scramble out of the position. Going into the 2nd round it looked like Deiveson was gassing out and Joe B was putting together some real good combos in what looked like his fight to take over. An unfortunate clash of heads cut Benavidez wide open and stunned him allowing Fig to land a massive right hand to the chin for the KO win. The immediate rematch is booked, and questions will be answered. Will Figeiredo make weight, and if so, how much gas will he have in the tank? Can Benavidez stay away from the power long enough to wear Deiveson down or will he leap into another big shot?

BET/PREDICTION (Benavidez by Decision)

I know I know, insanity is repeating the same thing and expecting a different result. But I believe the fight was playing out the way I had predicted up to the headbutt (Benavidez's fault for lunging in) which turned the tide. No doubt about it, Benzvidez cannot leap in and shoot for takedowns from halfway across the cage like last fight. Both of those things got him in trouble. Figueiredo's pace vastly slowed in the 2nd with the weight cut presumably being a big issue as well as pace. Joe needs to push the pace again but not be as wreckless and I think he can really take this fight over from the 3rd-5th. Figgy will have his moments but I think Joe is too much of a veteran to not make the adjustments.

Men's Middleweight/Co-Main Event (185)

#6: Jack "The Joker" Hermansson, (20-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) (Underdog)

#7: Kelvin Gastelum, (15-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) (Favorite)

Excellent Co-Main Event that you would not know is the Co-Main Event based on how little it is being promoted. This would be a great Main Event on any ESPN Fight Night that didn't have a Title fight. Regardless, both guys are coming into this fight badly needing a win to get back in the title picture. For Gastelum, two straight losses (two razor thin decision losses to Adesanya and Till) see him on the verge of falling out of the top ten in the Middleweight divsion. On the other side we have Jack "The Joker"whom was one of the hottest contenders at 185 until his most recent bout ended with him getting TKO'd by Jarred Cannonier. We should see a very intense battle as a loss here will be a major set back for either guy.

This is a very weird fight to pick as neither guy is super orthodox. Hermansson like to throw strikes from awkward angles to get opponent's off balance and time up his shots as most his best work comes from on the ground, he has no problem exchanging and throwing volume to wear on opponents and hunt the submission. On the otherside you have Gastelum who seems like a different fighter each time out. Against "Stylebender" he was able to close the distance by lunging in with big left hands and was having early success. Against, Till he never got going, and lost mainly due to his inability to check Till's leg kicks. This fight is a clash of styles and will come down to who can keep it in their comfort zone.

PREDICTION/BET (Gastelum by KO/TKO)

As close as this fight will be I have to take Gastelum. Hermansson will have the wrestling/grappling and size advantage but he also takes a fair amount of punishment. Gastelum needs to be more aggressive than he was against Till and Hermansson is not the guy that will get outpointed. Eventually one of straights will land big and Gastelum will pick up the W.

LOCK OF THE NIGHT (Marc Diakiese -160 def. Rafael Fiziev +135)

This card is so well matched there aren't really any fights I love in terms of a lock of the night so I'm going to favor experience in this fight. Both of these guys will stand and trade as Diakiese is one of the flashiest strikers in the UFC and Fiziev comes from a strong program in Tiger Muay Thai. Fiziev has won 5 out of 7 via TKO/KO but none have been in the UFC. In fact, he was KO'd via a spinning back kick from Magomed Mustafaev in his UFC debut. Fiziev looked to be outmatched in the speed department, something Diakiese will definitely capitalize on.

UPSET OF THE NIGHT (Askarov +170 def. Pantoja -200)

Love this fight, could very well be fight of the night as well. Pantoja is the more experienced, well-rounded fighter with a stellar stand-up game and solid on the ground, Askarov is the pressure fighter who will hunt the submission. Askarov is undefeated and has had one blemish, a draw to #3 Brandon Moreno. This fight should be a barn burner, potentially a split decision, but I love the pressure/pace of Askarov, especially at the +170 value.

UFC FIGHT ISLAND 2 PICKS