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When there are two UFC events in the same week, all MMA fans know that they will be in for something special and that is true starting on Wednesday Night. The card will be headlined by a key middleweight division fight that will pit Tim Kennedy against Rafael Natal. There are four other fights on the main card as well, with a big fight in the women’s bantamweight division and a battle of TUF winners.
Kicking off the action is a lightweight division fight as Michael “Maverick†Chiesa (9-1-0) competes against Colton Smith (3-2-0). Chiesa was the winner of the UFC Ultimate Fighter 15 and is coming off of a loss to Jorge Masvidal at UFC On Fox VIII. Smith was the winner of the UFC Ultimate Fighter 16, but he has not won a fight since winning the reality show competition. Smith has a lot of talent, but Chiesa is the far superior fighter and that will show when he picks up the victory.
More lightweight division action is up next as Rustam “Tiger†Khabilov (16-1-0) is in action against Jorge “Gamebred†Masvidal (25-7-0). Khabilov is currently undefeated in UFC competition, having defeated Vinc Pichel and Yancy Medeiros. Masvidal is currently undefeated in his second UFC run, last defeating Michael Chiesa at UFC On Fox VIII. This is a pivotal fight for both competitors at this stage in their careers, but it will be the more measured Masvidal notching a win.
A pair of middleweights will collide next as Ronny Markes (14-1-0) takes on Yoel “Soldier Of God†Romero (5-1-0). Markes is currently undefeated in UFC competition, most notably defeating Aaron Simpson at UFC On Fuel TV I. Romero is also undefeated in UFC competition, having defeated Clifford Starks via flying knee knockout at UFC On Fox VII. Romero made a spectacular UFC debut, but those memories will fade as Markes grinds out a decision.
Up next is a women’s bantamweight division bout as Liz “Girl-Rilla†Carmouche (9-3-0) battles Alexis “Ally-Gator†Davis (14-5-0). Carmouche will be looking to build on her first UFC victory, which came over Jessica Andrade at UFC On Fox VIII. Davis is currently undefeated in UFC competition, with a victory coming over Rosi Sexton at UFC 161. The winner of this fight could be close to a title shot and it will be Davis outpointing Carmouche to get near that shot.
Headlining this card is a middleweight division fight as Tim Kennedy (16-4-0) faces Rafael “Sapo†Natal (17-4-1). Kennedy is currently undefeated in UFC competition, having defeated Roger Gracie by decision at UFC 162. Natal has won five of his last six under the UFC banner, most notably defeating Paul Bradley at UFC 133. Natal will prove to be a bigger challenge to Kennedy than most think, but Kennedy will still squeak out a victory.
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