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The UFC returns to the United Kingdom this weekend with a card headlined by the middleweight debut of Lyoto Machida. The event is also featuring a six fight preliminary card, which features a lot of great fights and fighters alike. The aforementioned preliminary card will feature a battle of top featherweight prospects and some female MMA action.
Kicking off the action is a welterweight division fight as Michael “Judo†Kuiper (12-2-0) competes against Brad Scott (8-2-0). Kuiper has only won one of three fights under the UFC banner, with that lone win coming over Jared Hamman at UFC 150. Scott made it all the way to the finals of the UFC Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes before losing to Robert Whittaker. This is a must win scenario for both competitors in this fight, but it will be Kuiper picking up his second UFC win.
Featherweights are competing next as Jim “The Kid†Hettes (10-1-0) does battle against Robert Whiteford (10-1-0). Hettes will be looking to rebound from his first professional MMA defeat, which came to Marcus Brimage at UFC 152. Whiteford will be making his UFC debut in this fight as he took the fight on late notice for the injured Mike Wilkinson. Hettes has a huge advantage over the late notice Whiteford and he should cruise to an easy victory in this battle.
More featherweight action is up next as Cole “Magrinho†Miller (19-8-0) is in action against Andy “The Little Axe†Ogle (9-2-0). Miller has only won one of his last four in UFC competition, with that lone win coming over Bart Palaszewski at the UFC Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale. Ogle has split both of his previous UFC encounters, defeating Josh Grispi and suffering a defeat to Akira Corassani. Miller was considered one of the UFC’s best prospects a long time ago, but those days seem long gone and it will be Ogle getting the upset.
A women’s bantamweight division fight is up next as Jessica “Bate Estaca†Andrade (9-3-0) battles Rosi “The Surgeon†Sexton (13-3-0). Andrade is currently winless in UFC competition, having dropped a fight to Liz Carmouche at UFC On Fox VIII. Sexton is also winless in UFC competition, with her loss coming to Alexis Davis by unanimous decision at UFC 161. Sexton usually competes at flyweight prior to coming to the UFC, so it will be the much bigger Andrade overpowering Sexton for the win.
Up next is a middleweight division fight as Luke “Bigslow†Barnatt (6-0-0) takes on Andrew “Highlight†Craig (9-1-0). Barnatt is currently undefeated in UFC competition, having defeated Collin Hart at the UFC Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale. Craig has won three of four under the UFC banner, most notably defeating Chris Leben by split decision at UFC 162. This fight should be the show stealer of the entire preliminary card, but it will be Barnatt remaining undefeated in the end.
Headlining this portion of the card is a lightweight division fight as Piotr “Pletwal†Hallman (14-1-0) faces Al Iaquinta (6-2-1). Hallman is currently undefeated in UFC competition, having defeated Francisco Trinaldo at UFC Fight Night 28. Iaquinta was a finalist on the UFC Ultimate Fighter 15 and he defeated Ryan Couture by decision at UFC 164. Hallman has defeated much stiffer competition than he faces in this fight, he will remain undefeated in UFC competition when this one is over.
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