Preview: UFC Fight Night 197 ‘Holloway vs. Rodriguez’

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Welterweights

NR | Miguel Baeza (10-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. NR | Kalinn Williams (12-2, 3-1 UFC)

ODDS: Baeza (-135), Williams (+115)

This should be an interesting clash that can go any number of ways. “Khaos” Williams had about as impressive a start to his UFC career as possible, quickly carving out a name as someone who could bring violence. Williams was not particularly heralded heading into his UFC debut, but he knocked out Alex Morono and Abdul Razak Alhassan in just 57 seconds combined. He has come back to Earth in his last two fights. He did not get much done against the faster Michel Pereira, and his June win over Matthew Semelsberger tracked a lot more towards his pre-UFC form, as Williams was content to turn the match into an ugly grind once an early knockout did not present itself. Williams could find himself back in a firefight against Baeza, who is coming off of a “Fight of the Year” contender against Santiago Ponzinibbio in June.

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Baeza has mostly impressed in his UFC career thus far, though there are still questions about his approach, as he relies on his size and big single strikes to keep his opponents in check. Hector Aldana was a layup in his UFC debut, but a second-round knockout of Matt Brown showed that Baeza has the durability and composure to survive an onslaught from his opponent and fire back in return. Takashi Sato provided another advantageous style matchup, and then came the war against Ponzinibbio, which saw the “Argentine Dagger” recapture some of his old form in a fight where Baeza still acquitted himself well. It will be interesting to see how Baeza fares against the sheer horsepower of Williams, his strongest opponent to date. Baeza is content to stay at range, so Williams will have ample opportunity to charge forward and grind him against the cage. However, the bet is that Baeza can cause enough damage over three rounds, whether by leg kicks from range or by picking off Williams as he attempts to blitz, that he can ride out a win. The pick is Baeza via decision.

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