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UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Nascimento Preview
May 9, 2024
Fresh off of their UFC 301 PPV in Brazil, the UFC is back at it again - this time in St. Louis. On Saturday, May 11, two big heavyweights will be going after each other in the main event. The rest of the card is pretty fun, too. Let’s take a look at what will be heading our way on Saturday…
Main Card (ESPN/ESPN+ 7 PM EDT)
Derrick Lewis vs. Rodrigo Nascimento
Joaquin Buckley vs. Nursulton Ruziboev
Alonzo Menifield vs. Carlos Ulberg
Diego Ferreira vs. Mateusz Rebecki
Alex Caceres vs. Sean Woodson
Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Robelis Despaigne
Preliminary Card (ESPN/ESPN+ 4 PM EDT)
Chase Hooper vs. Viacheslav Borshchev
Terrance McKinney vs. Esteban Ribovics
Tabatha Ricci vs. Tecia Pennington
Billy Goff vs. Trey Waters
Charles Johnson vs. Jake Hadley
Jared Gooden vs. Kevin Jousset
JJ Aldrich vs. Veronica Hardy
The Prelims
These Prelims are looking pretty good for a Fight Night. Of course, I think the UFC beefed them up a little more since they aren’t in the Apex for this one. Either way, definitely don’t sleep on these early fights! Here’s what I’m looking forward to:
JJ Aldrich vs. Veronica Hardy is a really fun way to start a card. Aldrich is always entertaining to watch and Hardy has been on a roll since returning to MMA after concussion issues.
Jared Gooden has been up and down and around due to past weight issues, but he tends to have finishes in his fights - win or lose. Kevin Jousset is trying to add names to his resume early in his UFC career.
Johnson/Hadley, Goff/Waters, and Ricci/Pennington are all fights that are pretty close in skill and can go either way.
To see Terrance McKinney and Chase Hooper on the Prelims of a Fight Night lets you know that the UFC is bringing it. To see them as the betting underdogs lets you know just how tough Esteban Ribovics and Viascheslav Borshchev are. I can’t wait for these two fights!
Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Robelis Despaigne
Cortes-Acosta looked good in his Contender Series fight two years ago, but has mostly gone to decisions since then - cooling off some of his hype. He’ll have a chance to stand and bang against the newcomer who made a big splash at UFC 299 in Robelis Despaigne. Despaigne made quick work of his opponent in his debut and had people buzzing for his next fight. Well, it’s here! Can he keep the buzz going? I’m excited to see.
Alex Caceres vs. Sean Woodson
If the heavyweights before this fight get the crowd going, this fight will probably keep them excited. Both Caceres and Woodson tend to put on a show and I am excited for it. Caceres is putting his #15 on the line against Woodson, who hasn’t lost since 2021 (including one draw). Not only will this be fun, but it’ll create some momentum for the winner as they try to rise through the rankings.
Diego Ferreira vs. Mateusz Rebecki
Despite three losses in his last four fights, Ferreira has been a Performance of the Night machine. He’ll get another chance to put on a show against the surging Rebecki, who comes into the fight at 19-1.
Alonzo Menifield vs. Carlos Ulberg
These are two tough Light Heavyweights who will be going after it to try and make a statement. Alonzo Menifield has not lost (one draw) since 2022 and is ranked #11. In that same time, Carlos Ulberg has been getting finishes and is entering the fight with five straight wins. The Light Heavyweight Division is trying to figure itself out, so this fight may be huge in the winner’s desire to make a push up the rankings.
Joaquin Buckley vs. Nursulton Ruziboev
Not only is Joaquin Buckley always entertaining, but he’ll be looking to make a big statement here by defending his ranking while doing it in front of his hometown crowd. He wanted the main event, but he’ll have to settle for the co-main event. That may motivate him even more in his attempt to thwart the hot Ruziboev. Nursulton Ruziboev has ten wins in a row - all finishes. He’s still new to the UFC, despite being 30 years old. Therefore, he’s hoping to make quick work of his opponents to try and make a run up the rankings sooner rather than later. This should be a great co-main event!
Derrick Lewis vs. Rodrigo Nascimento
Rodrigo Nascimento has not lost since 2020 (with one overturned win due to test results), but he’ll be facing his toughest opponent yet in Derrick Lewis. Win or lose, Derrick Lewis is going to hunt for your head. Simple as that. Although he hasn’t had the best of luck in his last seven fights (2-5), Lewis is always dangerous and ready to put on a show. I don’t expect this fight to last all that long.
My Picks
Rodrigo Nascimento
Nursulton Ruziboev
Carlos Ulberg
Mateusz Rebecki
Sean Woodson
Robelis Despaigne
Viacheslav Borshchev
Esteban Ribovics
Tabatha Ricci
Trey Waters
Jake Hadley
Kevin Jousset
Veronica Hardy
Overall, I really like the look of this card. Even though I tend to look forward to most cards, this one is really rock solid for a Fight Night. The St. Louis crowd should be fun, so I hope that these fights that look good on paper deliver.
Will you be watching? What fight are you looking forward to the most? Let me know at matt.tenhoeve@gmail.com. I’ll be back after the weekend to talk about the results and to preview next weekend’s UFC and Bellator cards. See you then!
