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#4. Nicco Montano - UFC women's bantamweight
Despite not being as stacked with top names and contenders as the recent Fight Night cards, UFC Vegas 33 does have a former UFC champion set to be in action during the prelims, and an inaugural one at that.
While Valentina Shevchenko has grown into one of the promotion's most dominant champions, the division she rules over was only created in 2017. Its first champion was decided by way of The Ultimate Fighter 26. In the final, Nicco Montano faced UFC veteran Roxanne Modaferri. The Arizona-born flyweight secured a unanimous decision victory over 'The Happy Warrior' and had UFC gold wrapped around her waist in just her sixth professional fight.
But in the nearly four years since, the former champ has made just one walk to the octagon. Montano was set to defend her title for the first time at UFC 228 against Shevchenko, but weight-cutting complications led to her withdrawal and she was stripped of the belt. A six-month USADA suspension soon after was followed by a defeat to Julianna Pena in the summer of 2019.
Given the dream start she had in the UFC, the 32-year-old will look to begin another rise to the top and show that she can compete as part of t the now-stronger women's roster.
#3. Orion Cosce - UFC welterweight
Since Orion Cosce secured a contract in the UFC with a third-round TKO victory over Matt Dixon on Dana White's Contender Series last year, his debut has been highly anticipated.
Unbeaten in seven professional fights, Cosce's perfect 7-0 record includes six knockouts and one submission. He'll be looking to maintain his 100% finishing rate when he enters the octagon with Philip Rowe at this weekend's event.
His brother Louis Cosce, who earned a contract on the same DWCS episode, made an unsuccessful debut at UFC 255 last year. In a crazy fight for as long as it lasted, the younger Cosce brother was finished by Sasha Palatnikov in the final round. Orion will look to be more successful in his own first octagon appearance.
The relentless onslaught of punches in the crucifix to a helpless Dixon on DWCS showed why 'Galaxy' is so highly regarded. Taking onboard his brother's debut experience and looking to impress on his own, Orion Cosce will certainly be one to watch this weekend.
