UFC Fight Night 260: Jonathan Micallef vs Oban Elliott Preview & Prediction
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Fresh off a chastening defeat, Oban Elliott makes the walk into enemy territory to face Australian prospect, Jonathan Miccalef.
Jonathan Micallef vs Oban Elliott facts
What time are Jonathan Micallef and Oban Elliott expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night 260: Ulberg vs Reyes? RAC Arena, Perth, Australia
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 260: Ulberg vs Reyes? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 260
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night 260: Ulberg vs Reyes on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 260: Ulberg vs Reyes? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night 260: Ulberg vs Reyes main card
Carlos Ulberg vs Dominick Reyes (Light Heavyweight)
Jimmy Crute vs Ivan Erslan (Light Heavyweight)
Jack Jenkins vs Ramon Taveras (Featherweight)
Jake Matthews vs Neil Magny (Welterweight)
Justin Tafa vs Louie Sutherland (Heavyweight)
Tom Nolan vs Charlie Campbell (Lightweight)
UFC Fight Night 260: Ulberg vs Reyes prelims
Navajo Stirling vs Rodolfo Bellato (Light Heavyweight)
Cameron Rowston vs Andre Petroski (Middleweight)
Jonathan Micallef vs Oban Elliott (Welterweight)
Jamie Mullarkey vs Rolando Bedoya (Lightweight)
Colby Thicknesse vs Josias Musasa (Bantamweight)
Michelle Montague vs Luana Carolina (Women’s Bantamweight)
Brando Pericic vs Elisha Ellison (Heavyweight)
Loma Lookboonmee vs Alexia Thainara (Women’s Strawweight)
Jonathan Micallef: "The Captain" returns following an impressive debut victory over Kevin Jousset
Punching his ticket into the UFC via DWCS with a technical submission victory over an undefeated prospect in Mohammed Ado, Jonathan Micallef (8-1) marked his debut with an impressive unanimous decision win over Kevin Jousset at UFC 312. An aggressive wrestler who relies on his iron chin to close the distance and land his takedowns, “The Captain” also has an enormous reach for the division at 77’. The 26 year old Australian enters this contest on the back of a three fight winning streak, with his last, and only, career defeat coming by TKO to Aldin Bates last March.
Oban Elliott: Can "The Welsh Gangster" right the ship after his first UFC defeat?
Things did not go exactly according to plan last time out for Oban Elliott (12-3) last time out. Despite closing as a considerable favorite, “The Welsh Gangster” found himself rag-dolled for three rounds by UFC debutant Seok Hyeon Ko, coughing up a unanimous decision and his undefeated UFC record to boot. A well-rounded combatant in all areas of the game, the best element of Elliott’s game is arguably his grappling; making the manner of his defeat to Ko all the more shocking. As such, Chael Sonnen’s protege returns with a point to prove in his second fight of 2025.
Jonathan Micallef vs Oban Elliott prediction
Elliott may be entering this matchup with renewed drive and focus, but the manner of his first UFC defeat was more than a little concerning. The Welshman’s grappling has long been touted as the best part of his overall MMA game, but it did nothing to stop him from getting absolutely man-handled on the ground by an opponent without a UFC victory under his belt at the time.
As such, things don’t look good for “The Welsh Gangster” here, even if he is a slight favorite with the bookmakers. Miccalef hasn’t proven his grappling is capable of handling elite level competition, but “The Captain’s” relentless pressure wrestling style seems tailor made to give the Welshman fits if the same version of Elliott that fought Ko shows up on Saturday night. He’s also got a sneaky head kick, and his opponent has proven somewhat susceptible to leaning into kicks on occasion.
On the other hand, the Australian has been chinned before; losing by KO on the feet in his only professional loss to Aldin Bates. While Elliott is primarily a grappler at heart, the Welshman clearly has some sneaky power in his fists. Case in point, Bassil Hafez was renowned for his iron chin before Elliott flattened him with punches at UFC 309.
The close odds reflect the flip ‘em nature of this match up perfectly. It could go either way but the tentative pick is Miccalef’s dogged pressure to earn him the upset decision victory.
Prediction: Jonathan Micallef to win
