UFC Fight Night: Chris Curtis vs Myktybek Orolbai Preview & Prediction
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Veteran middleweight Chris Curtis continues his welterweight experiment as he faces relentless Myktybek Orolbai in a 170-pound clash.
Chris Curtis vs Myktybek Orolbai facts
What time are Chris Curtis and Myktybek Orolbai expected to walk out? Saturday March 14, 2026: 23:20pm
Where is UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs Vallejos? Meta Apex, Enterprise, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs Vallejos? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 269
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs Vallejos on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs Vallejos? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs Vallejos main card
Josh Emmett vs Kevin Vallejos (Featherweight)
Amanda Lemos vs Gillian Robertson (Women's Strawweight)
Ion Cutelaba vs Oumar Sy (Light Heavyweight)
Andre Fili vs Jose Miguel Delgado (Featherweight)
Marwan Rahiki vs Harry Hardwick (Featherweight)
Vitor Petrino vs Steven Asplund (Heavyweight)
UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs Vallejos prelims
Charles Johnson vs Bruno Gustavo da Silva (Flyweight)
Brad Tavares vs Eryk Anders (Middleweight)
Chris Curtis vs Myktybek Orolbai (Welterweight)
Bolaji Oki vs Manoel Sousa (Lightweight)
Luan Lacerda vs Hecher Sosa (Bantamweight)
Beatriz Mesquita vs Montserrat Rendon (Women's Bantamweight)
Elijah Smith vs You Su-young (Bantamweight)
Piera Rodriguez vs Sam Hughes (Women's Strawweight)
Chris Curtis: Technical southpaw boxer adjusting to new weight class
Chris Curtis (32-12) made a successful transition to welterweight in his last fight with a split decision win over Max Griffin, this comes after struggling to find consistency at middleweight. Before that, Curtis lost to Roman Kopylov in the final seconds of round three, and also dropped decisions to Brendan Allen and Kelvin Gastelum. The 37-year-old fights off a southpaw stance with a boxing-heavy approach, working behind the jab and clean straight shots. His work in the pocket is sharp when he finds the right range, but he fights at a noticeably low volume and is very static in his stance, absorbing many leg kicks and constantly dipping to his lead side after throwing – habits that could definitely be exploited.
Myktybek Orolbai: Volume-heavy zombie that just doesn’t stop
Myktybek Orolbai (15-2-1) delivered a statement performance in his most recent win, a finish over the experienced Jack Hermansson with a first-round knockout. He’s also narrowly dropped a split decision to Mateusz Rebecki in one of the craziest fights of 2025, a must watch if you haven’t already, where he absorbed enormous damage, was knocked down, and still somehow came back swinging with volume in the final minutes. Prior to those outings, Orolbai also has wins over Elves Brener and Uros Medic in the UFC, and before that built a strong record on the regional scene. He brings relentless forward pressure, high striking volume, and a chin made of stone. So far, his durability and pace have compensated for any defensive shortcomings.
Chris Curtis vs Myktybek Orolbai prediction
Curtis wants a technical boxing fight at range where he can land clean counters and rip in the pocket. Orolbai will not allow this. The Kyrgyz fighter’s pressure and volume should disrupt Curtis’ rhythm, and force him into a fight he’s not all too familiar with. Curtis’ low output is a liability on the scorecards.
The southpaw boxer’s lead leg could be in serious trouble. Orolbai’s knee stomps and leg kicks against Rebecki should land freely against Curtis, who struggled to deal with Max Griffin’s similar weapons. Curtis also dips to his lead side after throwing his straight a lot, a pattern Orolbai could exploit on the exit.
While Curtis has shown he can land cleanly in the pocket, it’s difficult to see him generating enough power at welterweight to crack Orolbai’s chin. Orolbai absorbed some insane shots from Rebecki, and was still swinging fiercely in the final minutes of their fight; he’s clearly got that DOG in him.
Even though Curtis fights in southpaw, Orolbai has still shown he can shoot takedowns against that uncommon stance. He just has way more tools in his arsenal, and Chris is just way too static. Orolbai’s volume, durability, and willingness to push the pace should see him outwork Curtis across the three rounds, and even if it doesn’t, his heart will pull him over the finish line.
Prediction: Myktybek Orolbai to win
