UFC Fight Night 258: Harry Hardwick vs Kaue Fernandes Preview & Prediction
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"Houdini" looks to seize his UFC chance with both hands, stepping in to face Kaue Fernandes on five days notice after Fares Ziam withdrew.
Harry Hardwick vs Kaue Fernandes facts
What time are Harry Hardwick and Kaue Fernandes expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night 258: Imavov vs Borralho? Accor Arena, Paris, France
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 258: Imavov vs Borralho? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 258
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night 258: Imavov vs Borralho on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 258: Imavov vs Borralho? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night 258: Imavov vs Borralho main card
Nassourdine Imavov vs Caio Borralho (Middleweight)
Benoit Saint Denis vs Mauricio Ruffy (Lightweight)
Modestas Bukauskas vs Paul Craig (Light Heavyweight)
Bolaji Oki vs Mason Jones (Lightweight)
Rhys McKee vs Axel Sola (Welterweight)
UFC Fight Night 258: Imavov vs Borralho prelims
William Gomis vs Robert Ruchala (Featherweight)
Oumar Sy vs Brendson Ribeiro (Light Heavyweight)
Marcin Tybura vs Ante Delija (Heavyweight)
Harry Hardwick vs Kaue Fernandez (Lightweight)
Sam Patterson vs Trey Waters (Welterweight)
Brad Tavares vs Robert Bryczek (Middleweight)
Andreas Gustafsson vs Rinat Fakhretdinov (Welterweight)
Shauna Bannon vs Sam Hughes (Women’s Strawweight)
Harry Hardwick: Can the Cage Warriors featherweight champion defy the odds stacked against him?
Of all the British contenders on the UFC fringes, there's a solid argument to be made that no fighter was more deserving of a call up than Harry Hardwick (13-3-1). The Englishman's blend of superb striking, calculated fight IQ, and relentless pressure has seen him embark on an absolute tear of late - the MFA standout hasn't lost a fight since 2020. The elder Hardwick brother earned the Cage Warriors featherweight strap last May and has already defended his belt twice, although his last victory did come via technical decision after an unfortunate clash of heads. "Houdini" steps up a weight class for his long awaited UFC debut, looking to make an almighty impact on just five days notice.
Kaue Fernandes: The Brazilian looks to score his third successive win at the expense of his British foe.
Owner of a 2-1 UFC record since arriving in 2023, Kaue Fernandes (10-2) has seemingly improved with every fight following a loss to Marc Diakiese in his debut. The 30 year old Brazilian is a well-rounded combatant who likes to chop brutal low kicks, a state of affairs that was on full display as he did his utmost to remove Guram Kuteladze's legs from his torso last time out. Fernandes also battered Mohammad Yahya via TKO in his other UFC victory, although that win has aged rather poorly in light of "The UAE Warrior's" complete obliteration at the hands of Steven Nguyen in June. Fernandes has never been finished, and has scored seven stoppages in his ten professional victories.
Harry Hardwick vs Kaue Fernandes prediction
If Hardwick is able to pull off the upset here, it's going to be parmos all around for every MMA fan in North East England. "Houdini" is one of the most beloved fighters in the current British MMA scene, and it would be an absolute fairytale ending if he scores a short notice victory in the biggest fight of his career.
Unfortunately for the Middlesborough-born fighter, virtually everything about this match up is stacked against on him on paper. Not only is this fight on five days notice, but Hardwick is also fighting up a weight class against a talented opponent with three UFC fights already under his belt. It's not so long ago that some fans were talking about Guram Kutaledze as a dark house in the 155 pound weight division, and Fernandes beat him from pillar to post with ease.
With that being said, the Brazilian is not infallible. If Marc Diakiese was able to beat Fernandes, the ever game Hardwick has what it takes to spring the upset here. An enormous featherweight who won't be undersized in this lightweight tilt, the Englishman is as tough as an old leather boot and never stops coming forward. If he can deal with Fernandes' leg kicks, there's a conceivable outcome where "Houdini" gets his hand raised.
However, until we see this vision become reality, it pains me to say that the Brazilian's UFC experience and a significant edge in preparation for this fight makes him the clear favorite here. Hardwick will give a heroic account of himself, but Fernandes breaks hearts across England by taking home the "W."
Prediction: Kaue Fernandes to win
