MMA Preview – Randa Markos vs Kanako Murata at UFC Vegas 14
RANDA MARKOS VS KANAKO MURATA FACTS
When is UFC Vegas 14? Saturday 14th November, 2020 - 22:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Vegas 14? UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Vegas 14? No tickets are available as this event will take place without spectators
What channel is UFC Vegas 14 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Vegas 14? 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!
RANDA MARKOS VS KANAKO MURATA LOWDOWN
Randa Markos (10-9-1) steps in for Livia Renata Souza who pulled out with injury hoping to pick up a much-needed win. She paved the way with the first crop of UFC fighters, but the talent just keeps pouring in. She has picked up some great wins including a decision over Carla Esparza and submission over Angela Hill, but she is coming off two losses. Firstly, a dominant decision to Amanda Ribas and then walked right into the den of Mackenzie Dern getting submitted with ease by the jiu-jitsu champion.
She takes on a UFC debutant for a change in the form of Kanako Murata (11-1). She is a very intriguing prospect from Japan who is a national judo champion and has medalled in the Asian Wrestling Championships. Her sole loss came in 2016 in the Rizin Grand Prix getting submitted by Rin Nakai but she has since stormed to seven straight wins and won the vacant Invicta title in her last fight a year ago by beating Emily Ducote via split decision.
RANDA MARKOS VS KANAKO MURATA PREDICTION
Interestingly, Markos is the underdog here, perhaps after deciding to take Dern to the ground. She is a huge step-up in competition for Murata and she has been sharing the cage with the best strawweights in the world for years.
That said, Murata’s skills are undeniable and her grappling is strong enough to take Markos down and keep her there. Markos is a good grappler but her takedown defence will be a worry so she will be wise to keep the fight standing. She may have the confidence to go toe-to-toe with Murata in the grappling exchanges but cannot afford to end up on her back.
This will be very competitive, but we are backing Markos and her experience to pull off the upset with a finish being very unlikely.
Prediction: Markos via Decision
