UFC Fight Night: Sean Sharaf vs Steven Asplund Preview & Prediction
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Heavyweights take centre stage for a match up that is unlikely to require the judges' scorecards, with DWCS graduate Steven Asplund taking on Sean Sharaf.
Sean Sharaf vs Steven Asplund facts
What time are Sean Sharaf and Steven Asplund expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Royval vs Kape? UFC Apex, Enterprise, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Royval vs Kape? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night: Royval vs Kape
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Royval vs Kape on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Royval vs Kape? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Royval vs Kape main card
Brandon Royval vs Manel Kape (Flyweight)
Giga Chikadze vs Kevin Vallejos (Featherweight)
Cesar Almeida vs Cezary Oleksiejczuk (Middleweight)
Melquizael Costa vs Morgan Charriere (Featherweight)
Kennedy Nzechukwu vs Marcus Buchecha (Heavyweight)
King Green vs Lance Gibson Jr. (Catchweight - 160 lb)
UFC Fight Night: Royval vs Kape prelims
Amanda Lemos vs Gillian Robertson (Women’s Strawweight)
Joanderson Brito vs Isaac Thomson (Featherweight)
Neil Magny vs Yaroslav Amosov (Welterweight)
Sean Sharaf vs Steven Asplund (Heavyweight)
Melissa Croden vs Luana Santos (Women’s Bantamweight)
Allen Frye vs Guilherme Pat (Heavyweight)
Jamey-Lyn Horth vs Tereza Bleda (Women’s Flyweight)
Sean Sharaf: Can "The Smoke" make good on a disappointing UFC debut with a full camp?
Losing by second round KO to Junior Tafa in his sole UFC appearance to date, Sean Sharaf (4-1) returns for his sophomore appearance with the promotion looking to prove a point as an underdog. A heavy handed KO artist who has never been to the judges scorecards in five professional fights, "The Smoke" had his moments against Tafa and must be commended for taking the fight on less than a week's notice. With that being said, the 32 year old's pre-UFC record makes for pretty ugly reading; Sharaf's bout against Tafa was just the second time he's fought an opponent with a winning record.
Steven Asplund: Can "Concrete" make a splash in his debut following an jaw-dropping breakout bow on the Contender Series?
Owner of the third fastest finish in Contender Series history, Steven Asplund (6-1) makes his promotional debut following a 16 second KO over Anthony Guarascio that earned him a UFC contract in September. Turning professional just over two years ago following an undefeated amateur career, "Concrete" has only been to the judges scorecards once in seven professional fights, scoring five brutal knockouts along the way. The 27 year old LFA alum didn't get to show much in his Contender Series debut bar the fact that he's a ruthless finisher, with Asplund swiftly melting the aforementioned Guarascio under a hail of punches and elbows to earn himself a contract.
Sean Sharaf vs Steven Asplund prediction
It's not hard to see what the UFC are trying to set up here. The heavy handed Asplund is fresh off a 16 second, first round KO on the Contender Series, whereas Sharaf's sole UFC appearance to date has seen him get absolutely planished by a one-dimensional power puncher in Junior Tafa despite starting strongly.
As such, the stage is set for another highlight reel finish from "Concrete" and he figures to be the favorite to pull it off here accordingly. Asplund has been beaten and finished before, but that was by submission; an area of the fight where Sharaf appears unlikely to try and force the action.
"The Smoke" is probably going to oblige Asplund and engage in a stand up war. Sharaf does have KO power and could conceivably spark his latest foe out of nowhere, but Asplund appears to be the safer bet considering the two fighters' respective momentum and recent results. He's also got a slight edge in terms of height and reach, just to stack the deck in his favour a little further.
As with all low level heavyweight match ups in MMA, this one could get real ugly, real fast if it doesn't end early. However, it's unlikely to get that far. Asplund survives a hairy opening round to score the second round KO and the debut victory.
Prediction: Steven Asplund to win by knockout
