Preview: UFC Fight Night 140 ‘Magny vs. Ponzinibbio’

Lightweights

Devin Powell (9-3) vs. Jesus Pinedo (15-4-1): Powell has been a fun addition to the UFC roster but has struggled at this level, much like he was expected to. A wild brawler with no defense on the regional circuit, Powell’s ability to come back from adversity and win a war at the lower levels just turned into him taking a beating against better competition. It has made for entertaining fights, but Powell needed a win over Alvaro Herrera to stay on the UFC roster. Here he takes on Pinedo, a Peruvian newcomer who looks like the best prospect of the low-level South American newcomers at the bottom of this card. Pinedo is a fine athlete who is well-rounded, possessing a solid submission game in particular. However, I worry about his ability to keep up with Powell’s pace, and this looks like the type of fight where the latter can still put himself in danger a ton of times and still come out with the win. The pick is Powell via decision. ODDS: Pinedo (-170), Powell (+150)

Featherweights

Nad Narimani (11-2) vs. Anderson Berinja (19-6): England’s Narimani has cycled through a few opponents for this card, and the wheel eventually landed on Berinja. Of all of Narimani’s slated opponents, Berinja probably makes for the most competitive fight. Narimani is probably a Quadruple-A fighter, but his UFC tenure got off to a good start. A jack of all trades, master of none-type fighter, he managed to rely solely on his wrestling in beating Khalid Taha in July. As for Berinja, he is another solid regional fighter, but the style matchup is all wrong for him here. He looks to rely on his wrestling and grappling, and given the late notice and the fact that Berinja is a natural bantamweight, Narimani just figures to smother him. The pick is Narimani via decision. ODDS: Narimani (-275), Berinja (+235)