UFC Fight Night: Jordan Leavitt vs Joanderson Brito Preview & Prediction
A featherweight grappling puzzle sits on the prelims, chain-wrestler Jordan Leavitt looks to drag dynamic finisher Joanderson Brito into deep waters.
Jordan Leavitt vs Joanderson Brito facts
What time are Jordan Leavitt and Joanderson Brito expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs Bonfim? Meta Apex, Enterprise, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs Bonfim? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 278
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs Bonfim on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs Bonfim? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs Bonfim main card
Belal Muhammad vs Gabriel Bonfim (Welterweight)
Brendan Allen vs Edmen Shahbazyan (Middleweight)
Fares Ziam vs Tom Nolan (Lightweight)
Bryce Mitchell vs Santiago Luna (Bantamweight)
Iwo Baraniewski vs Junior Tafa (Light Heavyweight)
UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs Bonfim prelims
Matt Schnell vs Alessandro Costa (Catchweight - 130 lb)
Marcus McGhee vs John Yannis (Bantamweight)
Bruno Gustavo da Silva vs Edgar Chairez (Flyweight)
Priscila Cachoeira vs Chelsea Chandler (Women’s Bantamweight)
Jordan Leavitt vs Joanderson Brito (Featherweight)
Jeisla Chaves vs Yuneisy Duben (Women’s Flyweight)
Ketlen Souza vs Ariane Carnelossi (Women’s Strawweight)
Jordan Leavitt: Dynamic finisher trying to recapture his old form
Joanderson Brito (18-5-1) is a prolific finisher with seven wins by KO/TKO and eight wins by submission, but he hasn’t looked himself since the leg-kick destruction over Jack Shore. He broke a two-fight skid last time with a decision over debutant Isaac Thomson, after losing two decisions to Pat Sabatini and William Gomis. “Tubarao” likes to walk opponents down, plant his feet, and fire in short and heavy combinations, ramping up the volume when he smells a finish. His kicks can also be brutal as we’ve seen in quite a few fights. He’s active with ground and pound to open up submission, but his habit of jumping guillotines often costs him his footing and lands him on his back.
Joanderson Brito: Slick chain-wrestler looking for 3-in-a-row
Jordan Leavitt (13-3) is a genuine high-level grappler riding a two-fight win streak, most recently outpointing Yadier del Valle before that a first-round anaconda choke over Kurt Holobaugh, in which he hit three takedowns and made it look easy. Leavitt has seven submission wins and transitions really well on the mat, even if he’s yet to bag a truly high-level victory. On the feet he can be awkward and unorthodox, working behind a range of kicks but can be effective on occasion, and defensively he works behind a Muay Thai guard and lands knees in the clinch.
Jordan Leavitt vs Joanderson Brito prediction
This one comes down to where the fight plays out, and how Brito turns up – the violent finish of the past, or the diminished version we’ve seen lately, that uncertainty keeps this fight teetering both ways.
On the feet, Brito holds the clear edge, where his pressure, power, and thudding kicks could spell trouble if Leavitt lingers there too long. But “The Monkey King” should be looking to change levels from the start, and that’s where things can get interesting. Brito hasn’t yet shared the cage with a chain wrestler of Leavitt’s level, and against a comparable grappler in Sabatini, he came out losing the decision.
Brito’s tendency to jump guillys is a gift for Leavitt here. Every time that choke comes up short, he’ll surrender his position and be put on his back, which is where Leavitt wants the fight. There’s potential to see that pattern repeated on Saturday. Brito however, does have solid submission defence so I don’t think we’ll see Jordan finishing him either, but he doesn’t need to. He can just control from on top, throw in scoring strikes, and work submission threats to bank the rounds.
It’s a hard fight to call, but I’ll lean Leavitt to grind out a decision.
Prediction: Jordan Leavitt to win by decision
