UFC on ESPN 71: Neil Magny vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Preview & Prediction

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Neil Magny vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos: Welterweight veterans look to bounce back in tactical match-up
Two seasoned UFC campaigners meet in a crossroads clash as Neil Magny takes on Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos. With both men coming off recent losses and entering the twilight of their careers, this bout could be pivotal in determining who still has something left to offer in a stacked welterweight division.

Neil Magny vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos facts

What time are Neil Magny and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos expected to walk out?

Where is UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park? UFC Apex, Enterprise, USA

Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC on ESPN 71

What TV channel is UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+

Where can I stream UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass

UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park main card

Tatsuro Taira vs Park Hyun-sung (Flyweight)

Mateusz Rebecki vs Chris Duncan (Lightweight)

Elves Brener vs Esteban Ribovics (Lightweight)

Karol Rosa vs Nora Cornolle (Women’s Bantamweight)

Neil Magny vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (Welterweight)

Danny Silva vs Kevin Vallejos (Featherweight)

UFC on ESPN: Taira vs Park prelims

Rinya Nakamura vs Nathan Fletcher (Bantamweight)

Rodolfo Vieira vs Tresean Gore (Middleweight)

Nick Klein vs Andrey Pulyaev (Middleweight)

Austin Bashi vs John Yannis (Featherweight)

Piera Rodriguez vs Ketlen Souza (Women’s Strawweight)

Rafael Estevam vs Felipe Bunes (Flyweight)

Neil Magny: Veteran gatekeeper hoping to stay relevant

Neil Magny (29-13) is one of the most experienced fighters on the UFC roster, with 24 promotional appearances and a long history of testing rising contenders. The 37-year-old American, known as the ‘Haitian Sensation’, has often served as a litmus test for up-and-comers, earning him the unofficial moniker as the gatekeeper of the division. His resume doesn’t just include victories over prospects as he has notable wins over the likes of Geoff Neal, Robbie Lawler, and Carlos Condit.

Standing 6’3” with an 80-inch reach, Magny is long and rangy for the division. He typically fights behind a jab, using movement and volume to outpoint opponents across three rounds. While never truly elite in any one area, he’s well-rounded and capable of mixing in takedowns when needed. That said, his last two outings ended in first-round knockouts at the hands of fast-rising prospects Carlos Prates and Michael Morales — signs that his best years are way behind him.

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos: Power striker with a fading engine looking to turn back the clock

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (25-9) brings 17 UFC appearances into this bout and is best remembered for his explosive performances earlier in his career. The 38-year-old Brazilian holds impressive wins over Benoit Saint-Denis and Sean Strickland, showcasing his dangerous kickboxing arsenal and knockout power.

However, recent performances suggest a decline. He’s coming off a second-round TKO loss to Chidi Njokuani and, while he previously stopped Zach Scroggin, that fight came against a late-notice replacement. Once a dynamic striker, Zaleski now relies more on veteran savvy and bursts of aggression rather than sustained output.

Neil Magny vs Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos prediction

This doesn’t shape up to be a high-paced brawl. Both men are in the later stages of their careers, and a cautious, low-output bout seems likely. Magny could edge the striking at range by using his physical advantages, while Zaleski may look for bursts of aggression to catch the eye of the judges. Ultimately, neither fighter has looked particularly dangerous of late and expect this one to go to the scorecards.