UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs Holland – Julia Avila vs Julija Stoliarenko: Prediction and Analysis

Julia Avila and Julija Stoliarenko will clash on the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs Holland. The women’s bantamweight fight is very important for both fighters, considering the current landscape of the division.

Avila is currently ranked no. 15; Stoliarenko is unranked. However, a win for the Lithuanian can certainly put her in the top 15 of the division. The 27-year-old fighter lost her last fight against No. 5 ranked contender Yana Kunitskaya.

‘Raging Panda’ is also coming off a loss against Sijara Eubanks. The fight against Stoliarenko will be 32-year-old Avila’s fourth appearance inside the Octagon.

Stoliarenko will make her third UFC appearance against Avila. The 27-year-old fighter is looking for her first win in the UFC after her debut setback last August.

Julia Avila and Julija Stoliarenko in numbers

Avila holds a professional record of 8-2. She has 5 finishes under her belt with 4 coming by T/KO and 1 by submission. Prior to her loss to Eubanks, Avila managed back-to-back wins in the UFC. After defeating Pannie Kianzad at UFC 239, Avila finished Gina Mazany last June. ‘Raging Panda’ has won 4 out of her last 5 fights.

Stoliarenko, on the other hand, was on a 5-fight winning streak prior to her loss to Kunitskaya. The former TUF contestant has also competed under the banner of Invicta FC and holds a professional record of 9-4. Stoliarenko has a massive 8 submission wins under her belt, which emphasizes her expertise on the ground.

So, one can expect the fight to be a typical striker vs grappler contest. Stoliarenko will certainly provide a stern test to Avila’s 50% takedown defence. However, ‘Raging Panda’ is a seasoned contender in the bantamweight division. She has a good clinch game as she manages to land strikes there. That can prove to be a decisive aspect.

Avila will look build on her 3.27 signature strikes per minute tally against Stoliarenko. She also has a signature strike difference of 60% and will look to use that aspect to her advantage. ‘Raging Panda’ should ultimately be able to grind out a decision, but it all depends on her being able to defend takedowns, or fight out of them.

Final Prediction: ‘Raging Panda’ by decision.

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