Preview: UFC Fight Night 196 Prelims

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC, PFL, Dana White’s Contender Series and “The Ultimate Fighter” live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app.

Lightweights

NR | Jai Herbert (10-3, 0-2 UFC) vs. NR | Khama Worthy (16-8, 2-2 UFC)

ODDS: Herbert (-180), Worthy (+158)

England’s Herbert came to the UFC in 2020 and looked like an exciting talent, even if he did not figure to replicate the type of success he had on the regional scene. “The Black Country Banger” has a long frame and some knockout power, but his fights tend to be a bit of an adventure. Despite his reach, Herbert typically looks to pressure forward for a finish, often leading to some messy grappling and clinch exchanges. On a regional level, that all wound up well enough, with Herbert having the physical talent to still find a knockout, but his UFC debut saw Francisco Trinaldo survive to score a late knockout; and Herbert accomplished little in a grappling-heavy loss to Renato Carneiro in June. Herbert looks for his first UFC win against Worthy, who also could badly use a victory. A longtime regional vet, Worthy made good on his UFC shot in 2019, stepping in on late notice and knocking out friend and former training partner Devonte Smith for one of the biggest betting upsets in UFC history. After another win over Luis Pena, it looked like Worthy might just make his unorthodox and counter-heavy style work at the UFC level, but an unfortunate course correction has seen him get sparked by Ottman Azaitar and Jamie Mullarkey in his two fights since. This bout figures to sort itself out in short order. Herbert has the pace and power to knock out Worthy quickly, but his defensively void approach leaves openings for the American to hit one of his own unorthodox counters if he does not get finished first. When in doubt, it is easier to go with the fighter pressing the action, so while this is a relatively even affair, the pick is Herbert via first-round knockout.

Continue Reading » Molina vs. Lacerda