Here are the predictions for the three high-voltage clashes in the main card of UFC 263
Only a day left for UFC 263 to get underway. It surely is one of the most stacked cards in recent times. The event is set to take place at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
The event will feature a 5-round non-title fight for the first time in the history of the promotion. It surely is hard to overlook the ‘Stockton Slugger’ Nate Diaz.
UFC 263: Main event- Israel Adesanya vs Marvin Vettori
UFC 263 is headlined by a middleweight title fight between the champ, Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori.
Adesanya is coming off a loss against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259, after the Nigerian decided to test the light-heavyweight division in a bid to become a two-division champ.
Vettori, on the other hand, is coming off a victory against Kevin Holland at UFC on ABC 2 in April, this year. The Italian executed a staggering 11 takedowns on his way to victory.
UFC 263: Co-main event- Deiveson Figueiredo vs Brandon Moreno
The co-main event features a flyweight title fight between champion Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno.
The pair are coming off a bloodbath at UFC 256, which saw both the fighters go hammer and tongs. The match ended in a majority decision draw, and a rematch was scheduled pretty quickly.
UFC President Dana White later revealed that, that was one of the best fights he had seen in a long time.
UFC 263: First 5-round non-title fight- Leon Edwards vs Nate Diaz
This can be called a ‘tri-main’ event. Since the returning Nate Diaz loves a 5-rounder, the promotion decided to go ahead with a 5-round non-title fight.
Leon Edwards is coming off a no-contest against Belal Muhammad, earlier this year, while Nate Diaz is making a return to the Octagon after almost two years since his last fight. He last fought Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244 in November 2019 for the BMF Title.
Predictions:
Israel Adesanya vs Marvin Vettori
Adesanya is the clear favourite coming into this fight. However, it would be hard to overlook the grapple-heavy Marvin Vettori who has improved a lot over the last few years.
But still, Adesanya knows how to keep his belt safe in title fights. The striking-rich Nigerian is quick and slithery, making it difficult for the opponent to take him down.
Although he was taken down and mauled by Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259, it wouldn’t be that easy for a lighter and smaller Vettori to do the same.
Israel Adesanya to beat Marvin Vettori via. unanimous decision
Deiveson Figueiredo vs Brandon Moreno
The last fight showed how it is almost impossible for the pair to be knocked out. In fact, they have never been knocked out in their respective careers.
The fight will most probably go the distance, and Figueiredo might come up trumps against the Mexican. He did win the last time as well- as it was a groin strike that caused the judges to deduct a point off Figueiredo.
There is little to no chance of this fight not going the distance, given the tough-as-nails attitude of both the fighters.
Deiveson Figueiredo to beat Brandon Moreno via. unanimous decision
Leon Edwards vs Nate Diaz
It is almost impossible to finish Nate Diaz. He has just been stopped once in his career, and that was partly because his brother Nick Diaz decided to thrown in the towel. The guy never backs down.
However, Edwards is a different breed. The Brit has never been stopped even once in his career, and is currently on an eight-match win streak, with his last loss coming against Kamaru Usman, way back in December 2015.
Edwards has vowed to rewrite history by knocking Diaz out cleanly. If Diaz begins eating a lot of shots, he might end up bleeding profusely due to abundant scar tissues in his face. It was the main reason for his doctor stoppage loss at UFC 244, against Jorge Masvidal.
Given the fact that, Diaz can never be finished, this might go to the judges’ decision as well.
Leon Edwards to beat Nate Diaz via. unanimous decision
When and Where to watch UFC 263?
USA
Fight fans in the USA can catch the action live on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass. However, UFC Fight Pass will not be streaming the main card live. The main card’s action can be caught live only on ESPN+.
Prelim Card begins at 6:00 pm EST (12th June). The main card will be at 10:00 pm EST (12th June).
UK
UK fans will be able to watch live streaming on BT Sport 1. The BT Sport App provides live streaming as well, with the subscription costing 15 Euros per month.
In the UK the prelim card begins at 11:00 pm BST (12th June) and the main card at 3:00 am BST (13th June).
India
Indians will get to watch the fight if they have Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 3 subscribed on their television. Besides this, Sony LIV App provides live streaming too.
The prelims begin at 3:30 am IST (13th June) and the main card at 7:30 am IST (13th June).
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