MMA Preview – Antonina Shevchenko vs Casey O’Neill at UFC Vegas 38
ANTONINA SHEVCHENKO VS CASEY O’NEILL FACTS
When is UFC Vegas 38? Saturday 2nd October, 2021 -21:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Vegas 38? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Vegas 38? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC events
What channel is UFC Vegas 38 on? BT Sport 3
Where can I stream UFC Vegas 38? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
ANTONINA SHEVCHENKO VS CASEY O’NEILL LOWDOWN
Since Antonina Shevchenko (9-3) has dipped into the UFC, her unbeaten record has been scrapped and she has fallen into the consecutive win loss streak which is classic in the female flyweight division. She earnt a unanimous decision over Ji Yeon Kim on her debut, lost a split decision to Roxanne Modafferi, then submitted Lucie Pudilova, lost a unanimous decision to Katlyn Chookagian, TKO’d Ariane Lipski and is now coming off a submission loss to Andrea Lee.
Casey O’Neill (7-0) is hoping to buck the trend and keep her streak going. She is now seven fights unbeaten after two successful UFC bouts and like Shevchenko, she possesses finishing ability. She finished all her amateur fights and kicked off her UFC career by knocking out Shana Dobson. She then followed that up four months later in June this year by submitting Lara Procopio.
ANTONINA SHEVCHENKO VS CASEY O’NEILL PREDICTION
O’Neill has made a name for herself with her grappling but she has not fought a striker anywhere near the level of Shevchenko so this will be a real test. O’Neill has a two-inch reach advantage which will only help her tie her arms around Shevchenko, but she will be giving up four inches in leg reach.
She will utilise that by trying to keep O’Neill at a distance peppering her at the end of her kicks and jab. If the fight stays on the feet, Shevchenko will land at will with her technique and movement.
However, the key stat here is Shevchenko’s takedown defence which is only 56%. O’Neill is an animal and will hunt the takedown like a dog. If she can grab a hold of Shevcehnko, she will be able to take her down with relative ease. She will then proceed to pummel her down creating openings for a submission.
Prediction: O’Neill via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
