MMA Preview – Ilia Topuria vs Damon Jackson at UFC Vegas 16
ILIA TOPURIA VS DAMON JACKSON FACTS
When is UFC Vegas 16? Sunday 6th December, 2020 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Vegas 16? UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Vegas 16? No tickets are available as this event will take place without spectators
What channel is UFC Vegas 16 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Vegas 16? 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!
ILIA TOPURIA VS DAMON JACKSON LOWDOWN
Ilia Topuria (9-0) returns after his magnificent debut in October. He arrived to the UFC with a lot of hype submitting his first seven victims and then displayed his power by starching Stephen Goncalves for the Brave Combat Federation. He took on the highly touted Yousseff Zalal for his debut who was riding a four-fight win streak but put on a great performance earning a unanimous decision.
Damon Jackson (18-3-1(1) is also coming off a win marking his return to the UFC with an excellent performance. Coming off the 13th submission of his career, choking out Mauro Chaulet for the Legacy Fighting Alliance, Jackson met Mirsad Bektic in September. It was a step up in competition, but Jackson pulled off an incredible submission after getting wrestled for three rounds.
ILIA TOPURIA VS DAMON JACKSON PREDICTION
This should be a great battle between two submission wizards. Jackson has a wealth of experience and is certainly UFC calibre but Topuria looks like the real deal and is a bright prospect in the featherweight division at only 23 years old.
There should be more striking than their previous bouts respecting each other’s skill on the ground but Topuria is still likely to shoot in for the takedown and will be spurred on by the ease in which Bektic took Jackson down.
It will be interesting to see how Topuria copes with Jackson’s threat off his back and how aggressive he will be hunting his own submission. Ultimately, Topuria is expected to edge the stand-up battle but will rely more on his takedowns. Jackson is good enough to prevent the submission but will do well to last three rounds on his back.
Prediction: Topuria via Decision
