If you’re looking for future stars at UFC Argentina, you won’t find them on Fight Pass. Not that the contests are guaranteed to be a bore or anything – Devin Powell is actually quite fun – but nobody on here is destined to be in title talks at any point. The most likely candidate – Jesus Pinedo – is so green that he is more likely to wash out of the UFC without a victory than develop into a mainstay. However, I know some of you are shit-eating wild men who have to get the low down on every contest. That’s why I’ve got you covered.
The Fight Pass prelims begin at 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT on Saturday.
Devin Powell (9-3) vs. Jesus Pinedo (15-4-1), Lightweight
Powell defines what a try-hard is: someone lacking the physical skills should keep them from fighting in the UFC only for their heart to not only allow them to make it to the big dance. Powell’s durability is the biggest reason he’s been able to stick around, though it could also be attributed to the UFC lobbing him a softball in Alvaro Herrera. Powell’s offense consists largely of kicks to all levels as his boxing is subpar. He’s a skilled submission artist too, but he’s struggled to put that into effect due to his lack of wrestling.
Though he’s a natural featherweight, Pinedo is making his UFC debut at 155 after filling in for an injured Claudio Puelles on short notice. A much more comfortable puncher than his opponent, Pinedo makes good use of his 6’0” frame, throwing a high volume of strikes in combination. Like many others from South America, Pinedo’s wrestling is lacking, but he is respectable in the grappling department. However, he does tend to be too content to remain on his back, something he’ll need trained out of him if he hopes to stick around.
This is the perfect role for Powell if he’s going to stick around the UFC: a gatekeeper for those who are too green to be fighting at the UFC level at this point. Pinedo does have potential and the UFC is trying to open more doors in South America outside of the Brazilian hub. Powell stands a very good chance of pulling this out, but the guess here is Pinedo’s physical gifts prove to be too much for the American to overcome. Pinedo via decision
Nad Narimani (11-2) vs. Anderson dos Santos (20-6), Featherweight
Dos Santos isn’t your typical newcomer, as he appears to be on the backside of his career. Then again, when two fighters were already forced out of this contest due to injury and time is limited, the UFC had to make do with whoever was willing to step up on very short notice. Enter dos Santos. A natural bantamweight, dos Santos is consistently looking for the finish, though it also leaves him wide open to be countered. Though he’s a great scrambler – particularly at getting his opponent’s back – his takedown defense has been another major question mark.
That’s music to the ears of Narimani. A throwback to the favored styles of the UFC of yesteryear, Narimani compliments his wrestle-heavy attack with a very basic brand of pocket boxing. He isn’t a great athlete, but he knows his limitations and doesn’t have a true weakness as he’s at least decent in every aspect of the fight game. Narimani utilized a takedown-heavy approach in his UFC debut against Khalid Taha. Given dos Santos’ strengths and weaknesses, there’s no reason to believe he won’t do so again.
Dos Santos is generally a lot of fun to watch, so there’s a good possibility the enjoyment factor of this contest has gone up based on him being in there as opposed to Enrique Barzola or Sergio Giglio. His experience also makes it a more competitive contest when compared with the youngster, Giglio. However, I see it going very much like it would have gone had the undefeated Peruvian remained on the card. Narimani via decision