UFC Vegas 34 Prelims: Roosevelt Roberts vs Ignacio Bahamondes- Prediction and Analysis

UFC Vegas 34: Cannonier vs Gastelum will take place this Saturday. The card features some of the exciting clashes headlined by a middleweight clash between Jared Cannonier and Kelvin Gastelum. In prelims, lightweight stars Roosevelt Roberts and Ignacio Bahamondes will battle it out to make a move towards the upper echelons of the division.

Roberts will enter this fight on the back of a no-contest result last time around against Kevin Croom at UFC Fight Night 177: Waterson vs Hill. Prior to that, he suffered a loss at the hands of Jim Miller at UFC on ESPN 11: Blaydes vs Volkov via submission.

His career record stands at 10 wins and 2 losses. Out of those 10 wins, 3 have come via KO/TKO, 5 via submissions, and 1 via decision. He will look to pick up a win after unwanted results last time around.

Ignacio, meanwhile, suffered a split decision loss to John Makdessi at UFC on ABC 2: Vettori vs Holland. Prior to that, he had defeated Edson Gomez in the Dana White Contender Series via KO.

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His career win-loss record stands with 11 wins and 4 losses. Out of those 11, 8 have come via KO/TKO, and 3 via decisions. He will look to bounce back from his last defeat.

Roosevelt Roberts vs Ignacio Bahamondes- analysis

If we look at their physical stats, Roberts stands at 6’2″ tall and has a reach of 73″. Meanwhile, Ignacio stands at 6’3″ and has a reach of 75″.

Roberts lands 3.03 significant strikes with 49% accuracy. He absorbs 2.27 significant strikes with a 52% defense rate. ‘The Predator’ has 1.75 average takedowns landed per 15 minutes with 53% accuracy. He also has a takedown defense of 58%. Meanwhile, ‘La Jaula’ lands 7.91 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy of 41%. He absorbs 6.41 significant strikes with a defense rate of 51%.

Though they have struggled recently, it would be too harsh to write them off. Both are young, technically adept finishers, and can still have a lot to offer the sport.

Bahamondes worryingly is easy to target. He has a clear edge in striking potency and vividness, and has a more complete game than the boxing-centric Roberts. Although the latter has a dangerous grappling game, it doesn’t play much of a factor, as Bahamondes is difficult to take down.

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Both men got some battering in their recent fights and thus would be cautious enough to see a win. In the end, Bahamondes would probably grind out a distance win.

Final Prediction: Bahamondes via unanimous decision