DWCS – Season 9, Week 6: Cody Chovancek vs Raphael Uchegbu Preview & Prediction
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Canadian Cody Chovanchek looks to turn away the battle-tested Raphael Uchegbu in an intriguing bantamweight tilt.
Cody Chovancek vs Raphael Uchegbu facts
What time are Cody Chovancek and Raphael Uchegbu expected to walk out?
Where is DWCS – Season 9, Week 6 taking place? UFC Apex, Las Vegas, USA
What TV channel is DWCS – Season 9, Week 6 on? UK – Not televised / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream DWCS – Season 9, Week 6? UK – UFC Fight Pass / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
DWCS – Season 9, Week 6 card
Hecher Sosa vs Mackson Lee (Bantamweight)
Hwang In-su vs Paddy McCorry (Middleweight)
Iwo Baraniewski vs Mahamed Aly (Light Heavyweight)
Cody Chovancek vs Raphael Uchegbu (Bantamweight)
Adam Livingston vs Thomas Gantt (Lightweight)
Cody Chovancek: The Canadian prospect puts his undefeated record on the line in hopes of a UFC contract
A hyped up and comer out of Canada, Niagara Top Team standout, Cody Chovancek (8-0), arguably arrives on DWCS with a minor asterisk next to his name, given a weight miss and the rather contentious nature of his controversial decision victory over Jordan Howard last time out. However, the highly regarded grappler is no chump by any stretch of the imagination. The 27 year old has scored five finishes in his undefeated career to date, a run that includes a spectacular calf slicer submission victory over fellow prospect, Gage Gill, last June, that earned him the Unified MMA 135 pound strap.
Raphael Uchegbu: The Bellator and PFL alum looking to finally break into the world's biggest promotion
A veteran of both Bellator and PFL, multiple time regional champion, Raphael Uchegbu (10-1), makes his DWCS debut with a reputation as one of the more well-rounded bantamweights currently plying their trade outside of the UFC today. A rangy volume striker, the Englishman also possesses an underrated submission game, throwing up arm bars and triangles from the bottom when opponents have been able to ground him. On the flip side, he's also got nasty ground and pound from top position, throwing vicious strikes at a ferocious clip once he secures a position to throw.
Cody Chovancek vs Raphael Uchegbu prediction
It's worth noting that Uchegbu's sole career defeat saw him soundly outwrestled by Zebenzui Ruiz, an ill omen when faced of a grappler of Chovanchek's caliber. However, he appears to have learned his lesson from that loss, subsequently exhibiting takedown defense that seemingly improves with each fight. Furthermore, despite Chovancek's reputation as an elite wrestler, he rarely leans on his grappling advantage as much as he should, opting to bang matters out on the feet instead.
Unfortunately, if that's where the fight is to take place, it's hard to picture an outcome where the Canadian doesn't get pieced up. Uchegbu typically throws shots that Chovancek historically hasn't done a great deal a lot to defend in his fights; he could well end up eating a steady diet of straight shots and low kicks for three rounds. Cody also wades into the pocket rather recklessly at times, and Uchegbu's reach advantage could conceivably allow the Englishman to clip him with something devastating on the way in.
Chovancek could well prove the oddsmakers wrong by putting on a wrestling clinic, but Uchegbu's experience and well-rounded fight style makes him the favorite to ultimately pull through. He might not score the finish, but he's the likelier pick to have his hand raised when the dust settles after three hard fought rounds.
Prediction: Raphael Uchegbu to win
