MMA Preview – Istela Nunes vs Ariane Carnelossi at UFC Vegas 40
ISTELA NUNES VS ARIANE CARNELOSSI FACTS
When is UFC Vegas 40? Saturday 16th October, 2021 -22:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Vegas 40? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Vegas 40? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC events
What channel is UFC Vegas 40 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Vegas 40? 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!
ISTELA NUNES VS ARIANE CARNELOSSI LOWDOWN
Istela Nunes (6-1(1)) finally makes her UFC debut after serving a drugs ban. She has only waited over three years since her last fight when she earnt a unanimous decision over Gina Iniong for One Championship. This was a year after her first loss which was a submission to Angela Lee and prior to that loss, it was almost another year between her last fight which was a split decision win over Mei Yamaguchi so it is fair to say she has not been the most active.
Ariane Carnelossi (13-2) has been more active but that does not say much only fighting once since her debut in 2019. That was against Angela Hill who was actually scheduled to fight Nunes before she got pulled for her failed drugs test. Carnelossi stepped up and Hill was simply a level above and ended up cutting the Brazilian forcing a doctor’s stoppage. She eventually returned in April this year, and TKO’d Na Liang to kick off her UFC career in style.
ISTELA NUNES VS ARIANE CARNELOSSI PREDICTION
Who knows how Nunes will show up. She has been out for a hot minute, but her Muay Thai skills will not have left her. She is an accomplished Muay Thai fighter and as Carnelossi is fully expected to bring the heat and aggressively hunt the chin of Nunes, we should be in for a spectacle.
Carnelossi has the power, but Nunes has the speed and reach advantage. Expect her to bounce just out of Carnelossi’s range, feinting and ready to fire one and two punch combinations. Carnelossi will get frustrated and look to close the distance but will have to be careful falling into Nunes’ clinch.
The biggest question mark is Nunes’ activity and Carnelossi can really capitalise on any rustiness by starting quickly, closing the distance and maintaining a high volume of strikes before Nunes settles.
That is what we expect to happen but if Nunes comes out confident, she can counter Carnelossi’s forward pressure and maintain the distance for three rounds, winning the exchanges with her speed.
Nunes is worth a punt as the underdog, but with that layoff, we are backing Carnelossi for a decision.
Prediction: Carnelossi via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Nunes via Decision
