MMA Preview – Molly McCann vs Luana Carolina at UFC Fight Night 204
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MOLLY MCCANN VS LUANA CAROLINA FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 204? Saturday 19th March, 2022 - 18:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 204? The O2 Arena, London, England
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 204? Click here for the tickets at the O2 Arena
What channel is UFC Fight Night 204 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 204? 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!
MOLLY MCCANN VS LUANA CAROLINA LOWDOWN
Molly McCann (11-4) brings all of the noise back to the O2 Arena in London. The fan favourite is coming off a hard-fought unanimous decision win over Ji Yeon Kim which came with great relief after dropping unanimous decisions to Taila Santos (2002) and Lara Procopio (2021). In fact, all McCann’s UFC fights have ended in a unanimous decision and now hopes for one more at least against another rangy striker.
Luana Carolina (8-2) is 3-1 now in the UFC after winning her last two fights. She outpointed Priscila Cachoeira (2019) before getting mercilessly kneebarred by Ariane Lipski (2020). It was a painful one and returned a year later to earn a split decision over Poliana Botelho (2021) and a more comfortable unanimous one over Lupita Godinez last October.
MOLLY MCCANN VS LUANA CAROLINA PREDICTION
McCann gives up seven inches in reach, but she did well against Kim who boasted 10 inches. The difference here is that Carolina leverages her reach better using kicks. So, we expect McCann to find it more difficult to close the distance and land.
Carolina should edge the exchanges landing from range which will force the aggressive Meatball to rush in throwing wild shots before attempting a takedown. Carolina has good takedown defence which we saw against Godinez and she is also dangerous in the clinch, so this is a tough fight for McCann.
She has the aggression and output to overwhelm Carolina, but the Brazilian should frustrate McCann on the feet and if she can defend the takedowns and create space, the fight is hers.
An attritional and grinding McCann decision with a lot of clinch work or a more graceful Carolina decision is most likely. We are backing the Brazilian who is also the underdog.
Prediction: Carolina via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Carolina via Decision
