MMA Preview – Qileng Aori vs Jeff Molina at UFC 261
AORI QILENG VS JEFF MOLINA FACTS
When is UFC 261? Sunday 25th April, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 261? VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 261? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 261
What channel is UFC 261 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 261? 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!
AORI QILENG VS JEFF MOLINA LOWDOWN
Another Chinese prospect on the card who has made a name for himself at the Wu Lin Feng promotion, Aori Qileng (18-6) makes his UFC debut. He is coming hot riding a six-fight win streak and has only lost once in his last 11. He fought three times in 2019 submitting E Yong, knocking out Giorgi Borashvili and earning a unanimous decision over Amirlan Amirov. He only fought once last year but it was a brilliant second round knockout over Khizri Abdulaev.
Jeff Molina (8-2) also makes his UFC debut and has won seven fights on the bounce. He has fought for a variety of promotions collecting three knockouts and four submissions. He is coming off his first decision, but it gave him this opportunity taking on Jacob Silva on the Contender Series back in August getting the nod from all three judges in a very close fight.
AORI QILENG VS JEFF MOLINA PREDICTION
They match up very similarly physically and this should be a very competitive scrap. We expect the majority if it to remain of the feet where they will both be aggressive backing their power for a knockout.
They also both have a tendency to eat shots when the fight gets scrappy so we could easily see a knockout here. If Molina starts to land on Qileng, expect him to look for the takedown where he will unleash ground-and-pound until a submission opens up.
This is a very tough fight to call and could go either way but we give Qileng the slight edge with better experience and grappling in the locker.
Prediction: Qileng via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
