UFC Fight Night: Montel Jackson vs Raoni Barcelos Preview & Prediction
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A high-level bantamweight clash takes place on the main card, as the #14 ranked Montel Jackson faces off against the underrated surging veteran Raoni Barcelos.
Montel Jackson vs Raoni Barcelos facts
What time are Montel Jackson and Raoni Barcelos expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs Zalal? Meta Apex, Enterprise, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs Zalal? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 274
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs Zalal on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs Zalal? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs Zalal main card
Aljamain Sterling vs Youssef Zalal (Featherweight)
Rafa Garcia vs Alexander Hernandez (Lightweight)
Davey Grant vs Juan Adrian Luna Martinetti (Bantamweight)
Montel Jackson vs Raoni Barcelos (Bantamweight)
Norma Dumont vs Joselyne Edwards (Women’s Bantamweight)
Marcus Buchecha vs Ryan Spann (Heavyweight)
UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs Zalal prelims
Talita Alencar vs Julia Polastri (Women’s Strawweight)
Rodolfo Vieira vs Eric McConico (Middleweight)
Mayra Bueno Silva vs Michelle Montague (Women’s Bantamweight)
Jackson McVey vs Sedriques Dumas (Middleweight)
Max Griffin vs Victor Valenzuela (Welterweight)
Jafel Filho vs Cody Durden (Flyweight)
Montel Jackson: “Quik” looks to reclaim momentum after a split decision setback
Montel Jackson (15-3) currently sits at #14 in the bantamweight division and enters this fight off a split decision loss to Deiveson Figueiredo, a setback that snapped a six-fight win streak that included a finish over Da’Mon Blackshear and at the time, an undefeated Daniel Marcos. The 33-year-old southpaw is a dangerous striker, holding the second position in the record books for knockdowns per 15 minutes in the bantamweight division at 1.29. He fights long behind a snappy 1-2, calf kicks, and check hooks. The concern with Jackson is the lack of movement on the outside, which gives pressure-heavy opponents a chance to time their entries, and when taken down he tends to give up his back a lot to work his way back up.
Raoni Barcelos: Brazilian veteran aging like fine wine on a four-fight win streak
Raoni Barcelos (21-5) is 10-4 in the UFC and somehow is sneakily putting together the best run of his career at 38 years old. The crafty vet is on a four-fight win streak over Cristian Quinonez, Cody Garbrandt, Ricky Simon, and most impressively, the hot prospect Payton Talbott. The five-time Brazilian grappling champion blends together heavy pressure, high volume boxing, and well-timed takedowns into a relentlessly uncomfortable style to deal with. Barcelos fights heavy on the front foot and loads up on his punches, he also has a habit of dipping his head down when his opponent throws – both traits that left him badly exposed against Kyler Phillips in his last loss, who picked him apart and dropped him in the process.
Montel Jackson vs Raoni Barcelos prediction
Barcelos is a surprisingly live underdog at these odds for this matchup. The key battle is whether Barcelos can impose his pressure wrestling, or whether Jackson can use his considerable reach advantage to pick him apart at range.
On the feet, Jackson should have a clear edge. Barcelos is heavy on the front foot when he commits to his boxing, leaving the calf open all night for Jackson. In this southpaw VS orthodox matchup, Barcelos dipping his head down in exchanges could play straight into Jackson’s 1-2 down the pipe. Across three rounds, Jackson’s accuracy at range should eventually find something big.
That being said Barcelos is still somewhat dangerous on the feet. When you load up that heavy, a shot clipping the chin is still a recipe for disaster, and we’ve seen Jackson just plainly backing up slowly giving Barcelos an opening to land the overhand. We’ve also seen multiple fighters take Jackson down, and Barcelos is a better wrestler than most if not all of the opponents that Jackson has faced. However, Jackson has shown he can work his way back up from bottom, and Barcelos doesn’t possess the submission threat to put Jackson away when he gives up his back. If Barcelos makes this a takedown-heavy affair, he could edge out a decision, but Jackson’s striking should be the deciding factor. Barcelos is a decent underdog to take here, but Jackson should get this done.
Prediction: Montel Jackson to win
