The UFC returns to Nashville this Saturday 22nd April with the main event featuring a featherweight bout between Cub Swanson and Artem Lobov.
The card also features the return of Al Iaquinta in a co-main event against fan favourite Diego Sanchez as well as Ovince Saint Preux taking on Marcos Rogerio de Lima, who missed weight by four pounds with the fight still taking place, despite a 30% fine.
Bantamweights John Dodson and Eddie Wineland lock horns whilst Joe Lauzon and Stevie Ray looks a potential fight of the night candidate. Jake Ellenberger and Mike Perry open the main card in the welterweight division.
The early prelims are on UFC Fight Pass from 23:30PM, with the other prelims available on both UFC Fight Pass and BT Sport 2 before the main card commences at the lovely time of 03:00 on BT Sport 2.
Our resident MMA expert Darren Russell (@DRussellMMA) has you covered with the tips and picks ahead of a big night in Nashville.
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Mike Perry v Jake Ellenberger
If you've been following these articles for a while you'll remember I tipped Perry to knock out Hyun Gyu Lim on his debut at UFC 202 at a healthy 6/1.
Since then 'Platinum' will be fighting for the fourth time in the octagon after stopping Danny Roberts in Manchester before being outclassed by Alan Jouban.
He takes on the experienced Jake Ellenberger, fighting for the nineteenth time in the UFC, dating back to 2009. Ellenberger has fought pretty much everyone at welterweight but is 4-7 over the last four years with just two wins in his last eight.
Expect Perry to continue to throw his wild overhands and dominate the fight with his high volume. I'm hoping Ellenberger shows he still has a chin so he lasts the distance!
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Mike Perry to win by decision - 13/2 at BetVictor
Al Iaquinta v Diego Sanchez
Any fight fan loves to watch Diego Sanchez, now in the era of his third octagon nickname after surpassing the twenty-five-fight mark, fighting in four different weight classes dating back to The Ultimate Fighter Season 1 back in 2004.
Al Iaquinta is also a fun fighter to watch and returns to action after two years out due to a mix of injury issues and disagreements with the promotion but holds a four-fight win streak and will look to grab a position in the rankings with a victory in Nashville.
Traditionally, Sanchez does not get knocked out. In fact, he has only been stopped twice in the octagon by BJ Penn and Joe Lauzon and this fight should see most of the exchanges being made on the feet, rather than the ground.
I expect a good fight with Iaquinta edging it on the judge's scorecards
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Al Iaquinta to defeat Diego Sanchez by decision - 5/4 at BetVictor
Joe Lauzon v Stevie Ray
It was a bit of a disappointment that you couldn't bet on the fight of the night award winner this week with a matchup between Lauzon and Ray having a good chance of taking that honour.
Lauzon fights never disappoint. Twenty-three fights with fifteen of those receiving "of the night" awards!? That's crazy. Nobody in UFC history has received more bonuses than 'J-Lau' including a record six submission of the night victories.
Stevie Ray is a tough opponent, no doubt about that with the Scottish native going 4-1 since making his debut for the promotion but has four career submission defeats on his record and Lauzon may look to exploit that.
Joe Lauzon is a brown belt but has previously submitted black belts in the UFC and generally has one of the most well-rounded and entertaining fighting styles inside the octagon.
Expect the early rounds to be conducted on the feet, before Lauzon may look to take the fight to the ground.
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Joe Lauzon to win by submission - 5/1 at BetVictor
ODDSbible's 4-fold
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Saint Preux, Barberena, Dodson & Moreno all to win - £20 returns £115 at BetVictor
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