UFC on FOX: Emmett vs Stephens (Preview and Predictions)

Jeremy Stephens has his sights set on UFC Featherweight gold
Jeremy Stephens has his sights set on UFC Featherweight gold

The UFC comes to Orlando this weekend, with the card being headlined by a couple of hard-hitting Featherweights.

Josh Emmett takes on Jeremy Stephens in a fight that’s likely to bring fireworks galore. Besides, Mike Perry returns to the Octagon, as do Ovince Saint Preux and Ilir Latifi.

Several other intriguing matchups are also set to transpire on the card. So, without further ado, here are the complete predictions & preview for UFC on FOX: Emmett vs Stephens—

*Indian fans can watch UFC on FOX: Emmett vs. Stephens from 6:30 am onwards on Sunday, February 25th Live & Exclusive on SONY ESPN & SONY ESPN HD*


#Main Card (FOX)

#1 Josh Emmett vs Jeremy Stephens

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Josh Emmett scored a beautiful KO over Ricardo Lamas in his most recent fight.

However, Emmett isn’t as accurate or consistent in delivering such stoppages as Stephens. The latter is one of the best strikers in the UFC Featherweight division and can stop any man in his tracks with his signature looping right hand.

Expect this bout to start slow, with Stephens tagging his foe from Round 2 onwards. Stephens will catch Emmett at long range, and proceed to swarm him for the TKO finish.

Prediction: Jeremy Stephens def. Josh Emmett via TKO

#2 Jessica Andrade vs Tecia Torres

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Jessica Andrade could very well be fighting the winner of the upcoming Rose Namajunas vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk Straw-weight title rematch.

Andrade is one of the division’s most dangerous fighters, and could possibly finish Torres on the ground after catching the latter with a stinging hook on the feet. However, Torres is tough as nails and is crafty enough to survive until the very end.

Andrade is likely to out-strike and out-grapple Torres en route to a clear-cut decision victory.

Prediction: Jessica Andrade def. Tecia Torres via Decision


#3 Ovince Saint Preux vs Ilir Latifi

Saint Preux has put in considerable work on his defensive striking after getting knocked out by Jimi Manuwa.

Couple that with his excellent counter-striking and Latifi’s tendency to rush forward, it spells disaster for the latter. Saint Preux is likely to catch Latifi while the latter wades into range in a straight line—finishing Latifi with a crisp left hook.

Prediction: Ovince Saint Preux def. Ilir Latifi via KO


#4 Mike Perry vs Max Griffin

Mike Perry is one of the best offensive strikers in the UFC Welterweight division today.

However, Perry’s defensive striking may need some work, as evidenced by his loss to Santiago Ponzinibbio. Regardless, in this matchup, Perry is likely to have an advantage in both the offensive & defensive aspects of striking.

Expect Perry to tag his foe with the right cross in the early going; following which, Perry will look to change it up with an overhand right and left hook for a knockout victory.

Prediction: Mike Perry def. Max Griffin via KO

#Preliminary Card (FOX)

#1 Renan Barao vs Brian Kelleher

Renan Barao looks to rise to the top of the UFC food chain once again
Renan Barao looks to rise to the top of the UFC food chain once again

Renan Barao may be past his prime, however, he still possesses excellent Muay Thai skills to give anyone ranked 10-15 at 145 pounds a tough fight. This would be Barao's first fight since July 2017 and all eyes would be on the former Bantamweight Champio

Barao will look to start out slow and get his foe’s timing and rhythm down. While Kelleher isn’t the best striker in the world, he’s indeed decent with his hands and could give Barao trouble early on.

Regardless, expect Barao to open up in Round 2 & 3 and edge this one on the scorecards.

Prediction: Renan Barao def. Brian Kelleher via Decision


#2 Sara McMann vs Marion Reneau

This fight could either see a ton of grappling—given both fighters’ excellent grappling credentials—or their grappling skills nullifying one another and the fans resultantly getting a kickboxing contest.

McMann carries more power in her strikes and could give Reneau trouble on the feet. This fight is likely to see McMann land the more damaging shots, and sway the judges in her favor so as to warrant the decision win.

Prediction: Sara McMann def. Marion Reneau via Decision


#3 Angela Hill vs Maryna Moroz

Angela Hill is a much more technically sound fighter than Maryna Moroz.

Hill possesses excellent Muay Thai skills and will use it to keep Moroz at bay. Hill is the stronger fighter in the clinch as well and could do significant damage with elbows & knees in the clinch position.

Moroz is durable and will survive till the final buzzer sounds, however, Hill is likely to win this matchup by a comfortable margin.

Prediction: Angela Hill def. Maryna Moroz via Decision


#4 Alan Jouban vs Ben Saunders

Alan Jouban not only possesses good Muay Thai but also boasts excellent strength and conditioning.

Jouban is likely to use his jab to keep Saunders at long range and out of range over the course of this matchup. While Saunders knows how to use his length well, Jouban’s jab and footwork will help the latter edge this one on the scorecards.

Prediction: Alan Jouban def. Ben Saunders via Decision

#Preliminary Card (UFC Fight Pass)

#1 Sam Alvey vs Marcin Prachnio

Sam Alvey looks to score another KO win at UFC Orlando
Sam Alvey looks to score another KO win at UFC Orlando

Sam Alvey carries monstrous KO power in both hands, however, fails to consistently implement his power and his footwork seems to be a tad rudimentary.

Regardless, Prachnio isn’t exactly fleet of foot. Expect Alvey to stalk Prachnio and catch the latter a few minutes into this fight—ending the bout with alternating right-left hooks for the knockout victory.

Prediction: Sam Alvey def. Marcin Prachnio via KO


#2 Rani Yahya vs. Russell Doane

Rani Yahya possesses decent striking and excellent grappling skills.

Yahya and Doane are likely to have a close battle on the feet before the former takes Doane to the mat. Yahya is nasty with his submission attempts, and will look to secure the Rear-Naked Choke once the fight hits the ground…and possibly succeed at that.

Prediction: Rani Yahya def. Russell Doane via Submission


#3 Eric Shelton vs. Alex Perez

Eric Shelton and Alex Perez both possess well-rounded MMA games.

However, Shelton seems to be the more polished fighter of the duo, and when that Octagon door slams shut, it’ll show. Shelton is likely to out-point Perez—with the majority of the matchup taking place on the feet.

Prediction: Eric Shelton def. Alex Perez via Decision


#4 Albert Morales vs. Manny Bermudez

Albert Morales possesses criminally underrated grappling and striking skills.

The biggest issue with Morales seems to be that he has trouble in putting together his striking and grappling inside the cage. In other words, he either uses a solely striking-oriented strategy or only a grappling-oriented one.

Morales will have to mix things up in his fights if he is to ascend to the upper echelons of his division. Regardless, against someone like Bermudez, fans can expect Morales to both out-strike and out-grapple his way to a comfortable decision win.

Prediction: Albert Morales def. Manny Bermudez via Decision

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Edited by Akhilesh Tirumala