Chris Gutiérrez
Took advantage of the main card spotlight by retiring future hall of famer Frankie Edgar. Everyone was cheering for Frankie Edgar to finish on top but Chris Gutierrez finished former Lightweight Champion with ease.
#13 ranked Bantamweight shows the depth of talent Bantamweight division but shows Chris Gutierrez can hang with the best of them. Earned the right to face top ten ranked Pedro Munhoz. Testing the rising bantamweight against formidable opponent.
“He’s a credible opponent. He’s been around and you’ve seen what he can do. He brings an incredible skill set, and so ultimately that’s what we’re here to do is test ourselves against the greatest.” Chris Gutierrez said on UFC Media Day written cagesidepress.com
“I know he is still a dangerous fighter and I still have to approach it with caution and respect.” Chris Gutierrez said on UFC Kansas City Media day BJPenn.com
Main card opportunity on ESPN/ESPN +, better rise to the occasion and perform well against Pedro Munhoz.
“I want to win, that is how I see it, me winning any way I can. I just have to be smart and approach it as I do all my fights.” Chris Gutierrez said on BJPenn.com
Gutirezz using his MMA IQ, fighting smart avoiding hard shots with constant spacing, underrated skill of low leg kicks. Don’t expect a brawl but techinical fight for MMA purist. Watching rising Bantamweight improve to the next level against really good fighter who fought great fighters like Jose Aldo, Aljamain Sterling, Dominick Cruz.
Rafa Garcia
Before signing with UFC was #1 ranked Mexican fighter. Rafa Garcia doesn’t have the most appealing record but always bring the fight against tough opponents.
Besides fighting hard trains hard with Justin Gaethje as one of his main training partners giving “the King Of Chaos” different looks in camp.
Kansas City opponent is the legend himself Clay Guida. Huge opportunity for 28 year old Lightweight to defeat highly respected fighter & future hall of famer.
“I’m really excited to fight someone like Clay Guida. Time to go out there and give it my all,” Garcia told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday. https://cagesidepress.com/2023/04/12/ufc-kansas-city-rafa-garcia/
Perfect matchup for Rafa Garcia to push the pace, Making this a gritty fight, pressuring Clay Guida against the cage. Pulling off a unanimous win.
“Clay’s, I feel like, he’s a veteran. He has so much experience. He’s not going to get scared like with the first punch. I’ve got to go out there and just be very patient, be very smart, go out there and break him little by little and get the win,” Garcia said. https://cagesidepress.com/2023/04/12/ufc-kansas-city-rafa-garcia/
Daniel Zellhuber
Mexico’s MMA “Golden Boy” pre UFC was highly touted Lightweight Mexican prospect. Performing well under Combate Americas & Lux Fight League. Fighting for UFC doesn’t matter if you’re the best prospect out of Mexico you fight the best of the best, upset by regional prospect Trey Ogden.
Second UFC appearance is against fighting warrior Lando Vannata. “Right” matchup for Zellhuber to showcase his raw talents, athleticism and bright potential.
Really believe Zellhuber has the potential to become UFC Lightweight Champion in several years, cheering for the kid to have successful career instead of being prospect bust. All about managing his career smartly and not rush. All he needs to do is train hard and soak information like a sponge.
Xtreme Couture is what Zellhuber calls home, Eric Nicksick can tell from social media really takes time out of his day to train Zellhuber. Seeing the championship potential the 22 year old prospect has.
Hope this long training camp we all watch a dominant impressive performance. Push the pace, NOT be AFRAID to throw shots, three & four striking combinations. Overwhelm Vannata round after round if needed.
Comparison- Lightweight version of Cory Sandhagen
Overlooked Fight Nicolau vs Royval
Last few years finally watching high level flyweights after UFC was going to erase the flyweight division but there probably having second thoughts. Really watching high level MMA from title fights to upcoming flyweight prospects. Flyweight Division has a great stable of potential flyweight champions in the next few years like never before.
Two “Potential” flyweight champions able to watch shockingly scheduled on the Kansas City prelims is #4 ranked Brandon Royval vs Mattheus Nicolau #5 ranked flyweight.
“I don’t know why they put us on the prelims, but I think there’s a reason,” Nicolau said. “But I was kind of sad, not just because of me and Royval, but because of all of the flyweight division, you know? It’s a big fight for the flyweight division. I think we need more eyes on us, especially that fight.
Title contender fight on the prelims not the main card is crazy but genuinely excited to watch this high level fight. Hope this fight matches fans and my excitement. Watching two ferrets fighting inside the octagon in fast pace three round fight mixed with strong techniques, high level volume striking and attempting submissions.
Fans, writers expect Nicolau to finish Royval as he’s the better fighter but personally speaking I have no clue what happens.
Royval has strong jiu-jitsu with ground transitions, executing submissions. Good gas tank, solid job taking advantage of his long body with kickboxing. Brandon Royval best performance was against Kai Kara France really showed his best skills.
“I see it going into the later rounds, I see a second or third-round finish,” Royal said. “That being said, I don’t want to rush anything in the first round at all. I’m trying to be really patient this fight, and I’ve been really patient this camp. But, I want to pick it up on him later on. I definitely want to pick up the pace and I think I can drown anybody in this division. If I get a chance to do it, I’ll take it and I’ll sink Nicolau.” Brandon Royal said on media day reported by BJPENN.Com
Mattheus Nicolau since returning to UFC in 2019 began four fight winning streak defeating Kape, Tim Elliot and second round finish against Matt Schnell. Continues to improve at the right time 30 years old prime age to make a flyweight title run. UFC love to see a new challenger against Brandon Moreno.
Deciding factor for Nicolau to being victorious is overall speed, Believe he’s the faster fighter in everything. Great performance against Matt Schnell stood out the best. Technically might have the advantage understanding about pacing and having finishing power.
“Especially if I have a dominant victory and if I can finish the fight before the third round, I think I do deserve the title shot after this fight.” Mattheus Nicolau said and reported on MMAjunkie.usatoday.com
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