MMA Preview – Kyler Phillips vs Raoni Barcelos at UFC on ESPN 50
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KYLER PHILLIPS VS RAONI BARCELOS FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 50? Sunday 6th August, 2023 - 00:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 50? Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN 50? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC on ESPN 50 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 50? 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!
KYLER PHILLIPS VS RAONI BARCELOS LOWDOWN
When Kyler Phillips (10-2) smoked Cameron Else (2020) and then earnt a unanimous decision over Yadong Song (2021), he was touted as one of the brightest prospects in the bantamweight division. However, he went on to lose a surprising majority decision to Raulian Paiva (2021). He responded with a submission over Marcelo Rojo (2022) but then got popped for ostarine due to a tainted supplement and banned for six months.
Raoni Barcelos (16-4) welcomes him back after 18 months out and although he has been active, he is desperate for some form. He is 1-3 in his last four with Timur Valiev (2021) snapping the nine-fight win streak with a majority decision and then Victor Henry (2022) made it two losses in a row with a unanimous decision. He responded with a unanimous decision of his own over Trevin Jones (2022) but then got knocked out by the bogeyman of the division in Umar Nurmagomedov (2023).
KYLER PHILLIPS VS RAONI BARCELOS PREDICTION
Phillips has only fought once in two years and this is a very tough fight to come back to. Barcelos also had prospect written all over him before the dip in form and he is dangerous everywhere.
Phillips is a brilliant striker with an array of flashy techniques. He has great movement and is also a very good grappler. However, Barcelos’ grappling is off the charts as a decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner with strong wrestling.
He is also a very dangerous striker which he relies on and Phillips will hope that is the strategy. The stand-up contest will be an exhilarating one, but if Barcelos is smart, he will mix in his grappling.
Both fighters are unpredictable and inconsistent which makes this tough to call, but on paper, Barcelos has the skills in every area to come out on top and as the underdog, he is a no brainer.
Prediction: Barcelos via Decision
Value bet: Barcelos to win
