So, if you’re looking for a reason to watch the Fight Pass prelims of UFC Adelaide, you’re not going to find one here. There are two contests being streamed, one featuring a veteran gatekeeper with a fringe prospect who owes their spot on the roster to stepping in due injury on short notice. The other features a solid prospect making their debut against a green – and also debuting – prospect who is stepping in on short notice due to injury. While I acknowledge you never know exactly how a contest will go down, those factors aren’t nearly enough to have me recommend tuning in early to the card. Nonetheless, I’ve got you covered…
The Fight Pass prelims begin at 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT on Saturday.
Keita Nakamura (33-9-2) vs. Salim Touahri (10-2), Welterweight
If you don’t recognize Touahri as a UFC veteran, you’re forgiven. It’s easy to forget his lone UFC appearance on the card in Poland last year. That doesn’t mean the Pole is without talent. While his power isn’t face melting, it is prodigious, showing the ability to put opponents away with a single punch. Despite his power, he’s comfortable feeling out his way with a jab and has shown a competent ground game. However, his competition on the regional scene is hardly inspiring.
Nakamura continues to roll along, having recently celebrated his 15th anniversary as a professional fighter. He remains extremely durable and continues to add to his deep bag of tricks. Nobody tends to think of Nakamura as a hard hitter or as a stout wrestler, but he’ll surprise in both areas if his opposition doesn’t take him seriously. His hooks tend to be shockingly accurate and though he relies more on body-lock trips, he can time a double-leg with aplomb. Still, it’s in scrambles where Nakamura remains at his best, his RNC in particular being dangerous.
Nakamura has been a surprisingly effective gatekeeper in his return to the UFC. Experienced opponents either on the upswing or in their prime have been able to get past him, but those who are too green or on the backside of their career have struggled with the sly Japanese veteran. Touahri isn’t quite as green as his record might indicate, but I worry a lot about the lack of solid opposition on his record. I expect Nakamura to teach him a lesson or two the hard way. Nakamura via submission of RD2
Damir Ismagulov (16-2) vs. Alex Gorgees (7-0), Lightweight
Ismagulov doesn’t look like anything special at first glance – and perhaps he won’t be special at the UFC level – but the dude legitimately has earned a chance to prove he deserves to be fighting the best in the world. He’s greatly improved his takedown defense and has excellent timing on his high-risk offense such as spinning kicks and leaping knees. He can get wild with his fists at times, but Ismagulov is generally a sound boxer with plus power.
Gorgees stepped up on short notice when Joe Duffy pulled out lame. The Assyrian has a lot of length at 6’2” in addition to youth, clocking in at the tender age of 23. He’s got good striking technique for someone so young, but he doesn’t yet know how to use his length to his benefit defensively, too easily allowing his opponent to get inside his reach. Even more concerning is the low level of competition Gorgees has been facing.
Ismagulov has been ready to make his way to the UFC for a while. Gorgees would have benefitted from some more time on the regional scene. For example, one of Gorgee’s last opponents was standing there screaming at him to hit him, so Gorgees obliged. Doesn’t sound too difficult to overcome, right? Ismagulov isn’t going to be so stupid. Gorgees has talent to work with, but he isn’t ready to swim in the deep end quite yet. Ismagulov via TKO of RD1