MMA Preview – Jennifer Maia vs Manon Fiorot at UFC Fight Night 205
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JENNIFER MAIA VS MANON FIOROT FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 205? Saturday 26th March, 2022 - 21:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 205? Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 205? Click here for the tickets at the O2 Arena
What channel is UFC Fight Night 205 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 205? 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!
JENNIFER MAIA VS MANON FIOROT LOWDOWN
Former title challenger Jennifer Maia (19-8-1) returns for her second appearance of the year. Since earning two unanimous decisions over Alexis Davis and Roxanne Modafferi in 2019, she has suffered alternate wins and losses which is all too common in the competitive female divisions. She got outpointed by Katlyn Chookagian (2019), submitted Joanne Wood (2020), outpointed again and outclassed by the champ Valentina Shevchenko (2020), responded with another unanimous decision win over Jessica Eye (2021) but is coming off a replica defeat to Chookagian back in January.
Manon Fiorot (8-1) has forgotten what it feels like to lose as she edges up the rankings. She lost her first pro fight to Leah McCourt (2018) but has since smoked everyone in her path. The karate specialist has pulled off six knockouts in her eight wins and has enjoyed a perfect start to her UFC career. She swatted away Victoria Leonardo and Tabatha Ricci with TKO’s before earning an even more impressive unanimous decision over the dangerous Mayra Bueno Silva all last year.
JENNIFER MAIA VS MANON FIOROT PREDICTION
Maia is a brilliant boxer and a black belt in Muay Thai, but this could end up looking like a grappler vs striker match up. That is because Fiorot is a beast of a striker which will force the Brazilian get her wrestling boots on. Fiorot can also grapple with a judo base, but we expect her leverage those skills to keep the fight on the feet.
We expect her to win the exchanges on the feet and as soon as her power strikes and kicks begin to find a home, Maia will shoot in for the takedown. She is capable of tying the French native up and subduing her which makes her a great pick as the significant underdog, but we are backing Fiorot’s judo and power to keep the fight standing long enough to show the judges her striking prowess.
Prediction: Fiorot via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Maia via Decision
