UFC 254: Preliminary Fights- Predictions And Analysis

UFC 254 is trending to be the biggest PPV event in the company’s history as per Dana White. Despite many fight cancellations, the card is extremely stacked with some exciting fights for the fans. We take a look at the prelim fights and offer our predictions and analysis for the same. 

Da-Un Jung Vs Sam Alvey 

Da Un Jung takes on Sam Alvey in a light heavyweight bout as they kick-off the prelim card. Jung made his debut in the UFC last August with a submission win over Khadis Ibragimov. He followed that up with a knockout win over Mike Rodriguez. 

Sam Alvey on the other hand has been in the UFC since 2014. He has been a part of some incredibly entertaining fights and holds a 10-9 UFC record. The American fighter has secured an impressive 58% of his fights via TKO. 

Jung is on a 12-fight win streak. He has secured a mind-boggling 77% of his wins via TKO/KO. The South Korean fighter will be aiming to make it a 13-fight win streak against a fighter who has lost four on the trot. Given the contrasting nature of the fighter’s records, Da-Un Jung should be able to secure his third victory in the UFC with a win over Sam Alvey.

Prediction: Da-Un Jung via TKO/KO 

Alex Oliveira Vs Shavkat Rakhmonov 

Alex Oliveira takes on Shavkat Rakhmonov in a welterweight bout. Oliveira has been in the UFC since 2015 and has always been a force to be reckoned with in the 170-pound division. After an unfortunate skid of three losses on the trot, ‘Cowboy’ could bounce back brilliantly and is now on a two-fight win streak going into this fight. 

Shavkat Rakhmonov will be making his debut in the UFC. He is an undefeated fighter on a 12-fight win streak. He has secured an impressive 58% of his wins via TKO/KO and will look to make a name for himself in the promotion. However, this will not be easy against a veteran like ‘Cowboy’ 

This fight will be Oliveira’s thirty-first fight as a professional mixed martial artist. He has secured 55% of his wins via TKO/KO. Given his experience in the UFC, he should be able to spoil Rakhmonov’s debut. 

Prediction: Alex Oliveira via decision

Nathaniel Wood Vs Casey Kenny 

Nathaniel Wood will take on Casey Kenney in a catchweight bout at UFC 254. The British fighter made his UFC debut in 2018 with a win over Johnny Eduardo. Since then, ‘The Prospect’ has had some excellent performances inside the octagon and has gone 4-1. 

Casey Kenney on the other hand made his debut with the promotion in March 2019. He is 4-1 in the UFC as well. Kenney has secured 53% of his wins via decision. He will aim to extend his winning streak to 3-0 against Wood. 

Wood on the other hand has secured 53% of his wins via TKO/KO. His last fight was a unanimous decision win against John Castaneda in July. Given that ‘The Prospect’ has more experience on his side and is the fighter in form, he should be able to secure a win over Kenney. 

Prediction: Nathaniel Wood via decision 

Stefan Struve Vs Tai Tuivasa 

Stefan Struve and Tai Tuivasa round out the preliminary card with an exciting heavyweight bout. Struve has been in the UFC for over a decade now and has fought the very best in the division. 

‘Bam Bam’ started his UFC career with a bang with three impressive wins. However, he now finds himself on a three-fight losing streak. Tuivasa has secured a staggering 89% of his wins via TKO/KO. ‘Skyscraper’ on the other hand has secured 62% of his wins via submission. 

Struve averages 0.61 takedowns per 15 minutes. However, Tuivasa has a 100% takedown defense rate. Therefore, it might prove to be difficult for Struve to take down ‘Bam Bam’. Stefan also averages  1.83 submissions per 15 minutes. Given the recent performances, ‘Skyscraper’ should be able to bounce back with a win after the loss in his last fight. 

Prediction: Stefan Struve via decision.