Preview: UFC Fight Night 200 Prelims

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Women’s Bantamweights

NR | Alexis Davis (20-11, 7-6 UFC) vs. NR | Julija Stoliarenko (9-5-2, 0-3 UFC)

ODDS: Davis (-225), Stoliarenko (+185)

Davis keeps plugging along, and there is still a chance she can turn the corner in her return to 135 pounds. Part of the UFC’s initial wave of female fighters, Davis quickly found her way into a title fight against Ronda Rousey in 2014 and, like many others, quickly suffered a one-sided defeat. From there, Davis hung around the top of the division with a style that was high on effectiveness and low on pleasing aesthetics, overcoming her lack of athleticism to either win a grind or find a submission. A drop down to flyweight did not pay many dividends. After winning her 125-pound debut against fellow converted bantamweight Liz Carmouche, Davis struggled to overcome the speed gap against quicker opponents. Since moving back to bantamweight, Davis has clearly been more effective, beating prospect Sabina Mazo and dropping a narrow decision to Pannie Kianzad. This time around, Davis faces Stoliarenko, who continues to look for her first UFC win. A graduate of Season 28 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Stoliarenko made some history as the UFC’s first Lithuanian-born fighter when she fought Leah Letson at the season finale, though she was cut from the promotion shortly after losing that bout. She worked her way back to the Octagon, earning the late-notice call with an Invicta Fighting Championships title win against Lisa Verzosa in 2020. Up to that point, all of Stoliarenko’s victories had come via first-round armbar, so it was nice to see her gut her way through a bloody war and win a five-round decision. However, Stoliarenko has mostly gotten controlled or run ragged against better competition at the UFC level, and it is difficult to see her either taking over or finding a submission on a well-tested vet like Davis. The pick is Davis via decision.

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