5 contenders for the Fight of the Night award at UFC Fight Night: Curtis Blaydes vs. Chris Daukaus

#4. UFC lightweight bout: Marc Diakiese vs. Viacheslav Borshchev

Viacheslav Borshchev will be hoping for another big knockout this weekend

A handful of years ago, the UFC didn’t have many hotter prospects than UK-based lightweight Marc Diakiese. ‘The Bonecrusher’ reeled off three wins in a row from 2016 to 2017, and received a pretty hefty contract for his efforts.

Since then, Diakiese has struggled, going 2-5 in his next seven bouts. This weekend, he finds himself with his back against the wall against a prospect every bit as hot as he once was.

Viacheslav Borshchev – a product of Team Alpha Male – debuted in the octagon in January with a brutal TKO of Dakota Bush, finishing his opponent with a punch to the body. Prior to that, he’d picked up an equally violent finish of Chris Duncan on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Borshchev is definitely a dangerous fighter, but he’s also reckless. It’s hardly a surprise to learn that he’s gone the distance just twice in his seven professional bouts.

That recklessness may not just play into Diakiese’s hands, but it could also produce a truly wonderful fight this weekend. If Borshchev goes after ‘The Bonecrusher’ like he tends to do with most of his opponents, he could find himself in trouble. After all, Diakiese is a very heavy hitter.

Essentially, it seems unlikely that this one will go the distance either way. Considering the aggression and striking ability of both men, it could produce a potential Fight of the Night award winner.

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#3. UFC welterweight bout: Neil Magny vs. Max Griffin

Can Max Griffin's heavy hands give him the advantage over Neil Magny this weekend?

It might be part of this weekend’s preliminary card, but the welterweight bout between hardened veteran Neil Magny and action fighter Max Griffin could definitely produce a Fight of the Night contender.

Magny has not fought for almost a year now, but is coming off one of the more impressive wins of his octagon tenure – a decision victory over hard hitter Geoff Neal. Overall, ‘The Haitian Sensation’ holds a UFC record of 18-7, and has claimed bonus awards on four occasions in the past.

Griffin, meanwhile, is on the best run of his career. He’s won his last three bouts – two via stoppage – and has not lost since March 2020.

What makes this fight likely to produce fireworks is Magny’s general penchant for engaging his opponents wherever they want him to. A true jack-of-all-trades, ‘The Haitian Sensation’ might be better off trying to take Griffin down in this bout, but it’s more likely that he’ll look to beat him on the feet.

If that’s the case, we should be in for a wild fight until at least one of these two hits the deck. Despite the experience differential, given Magny’s questionable chin, it could be either of them.