UFC 330: Donte Johnson vs Eric McConico Preview & Prediction
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An unbeaten prospect meets a late-blooming martial artist on the prelims, Donte Johnson puts his perfect record on the line against Eric McConico.
Donte Johnson vs Eric McConico facts
What time are Donte Johnson and Eric McConico expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 330: Makhachev vs Machado Garry? Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC 330: Makhachev vs Machado Garry? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 330
What TV channel is UFC 330: Makhachev vs Machado Garry on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC 330: Makhachev vs Machado Garry? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 330: Makhachev vs Machado Garry main card
Islam Makhachev vs Ian Machado Garry (Welterweight)
Mackenzie Dern vs Gillian Robertson (Women's Strawweight)
Charles Johnson vs Eduardo Henrique (Flyweight)
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Dustin Stoltzfus (Middleweight)
Edson Barboza vs Esteban Ribovics (Lightweight)
UFC 330: Makhachev vs Machado Garry prelims
Chidi Njokuani vs Joel Alvarez (Welterweight)
Jalin Turner vs Kaue Fernandes (Lightweight)
Donte Johnson vs Eric McConico (Middleweight)
Vicente Luque vs Tresean Gore (Welterweight)
Rafael Tobias vs Lucas Fernando (Light Heavyweight)
Neil Magny vs Ramiz Brahimaj (Welterweight)
Jeremiah Wells vs Myktybek Orolbai (Welterweight)
Donte Johnson: “Lockjaw” gets his next test
Donte Johnson (8-0) has come a long way in a short time, going from shifts at a milk plant to a UFC contract inside two years. He took a short-notice heavyweight slot on the Contender Series and blitzed Darion Abbey in 64 seconds, then submitted Sedriques Dumas in the second round on debut for a Performance of the Night bonus. The 27-year-old is a violent, heavy-handed pressure fighter with six KOs on record, every single one of them in the opening round. His split decision over Cody Brundage in March was the first time he’d ever seen a third round.
Eric McConico: The 36-year-old who keeps getting back up
Eric McConico (11-4-1) took the long road, arriving in the UFC at 34 and getting flattened by Nursulton Ruziboev on debut. He’s answered every setback since, outworking Cody Brundage over three rounds, getting KOd by Baisangur Susurkaev, then out-point BJJ specialist Rodolfo Vieira in April. Eric is a volume boxer with variety in his combinations, comfortable in extended exchanges and sharp at catching a shot and returning straight down the pipe. Every one of his four pro losses has come by knockout.
Donte Johnson vs Eric McConico prediction
Both of these men have beaten Cody Brundage. McConico outworked him over 15 minutes, Johnson, was a huge favourite, spent three rounds looking stiff, and made it very close. Brundage isn’t the most technical man on the roster, yet he settled in and started landing once he found his footing.
This whole fight hangs on the first five minutes. Johnson has the power and finishing instinct, and if he lands a bomb early this could be over. But every KO on his record has come in round one, so we know the power drops off, and he has never faced someone who can sustain volume late, Brundage is a low-output power puncher. Johnson also drops his hands completely when he kicks, which gives McConico plenty of openings.
Johnson’s best route is using the wrestling threat to set up the big shot, though I’d expect McConico to defend the takedowns early. A submission seems unlikely given McConico survived far worse positions against Vieira. He’s not got an iron chin, but he did survive round one against Ruziboev, who is longer and a far better striker than Johnson. I could see a fraud check coming.
Prediction: Eric McConico to win by decision
