Lets. Get. Into It!

Featherweight Bout: Patricio Pitbull (37-8) vs. Losene Keita (16-1)

What a way to kick off the main card! One of the UFC’s shiny new signings faces an experienced MMA veteran in a clash that promises fireworks.

Losene Keita is poised to be a problem. This kid is a serious athlete, and fans are going to love him—especially in Europe, where he’s already a star. The former two-division Oktagon champion is lightning-fast with serious power in his hands. His 16-1 record is marred only by a 2023 TKO loss due to a foot injury, so don’t let that blemish fool you—he’s the real deal.

Patricio Pitbull is the perfect welcome test for Keita’s UFC journey. A former Bellator double champ, Pitbull is a superbly well-rounded fighter. Over the past decade, his only losses have come against top-tier competition. He’s a threat everywhere, with a distinct edge on the ground if he can take the fight there.

Prediction: Losene Keita to win.

Welterweight Bout: Axel Sola (10-0-1) vs. Rhys McKee (14-6-1)

French prospect Axel Sola makes his UFC debut in Paris with an unbeaten record. He’s torn through his last five fights in Ares FC, going 5-0 with three knockouts. This kid has power and a knack for devastating elbows. This fight is a big step up to test his mettle.

Rhys McKee is on his second UFC stint and finally secured his first UFC win in his last outing. As a European fighter, he’s easy to root for. While his UFC record isn’t stellar, he looked much improved in his recent performance after a year away. He’s no pushover—unless your name is Khamzat. McKee’s experience could spell trouble for Sola.

Prediction: Rhys McKee to win.

Lightweight Bout: Bolaji Oki (10-2) vs. Mason Jones (16-2)

I’m not sold on Bolaji Oki. He’s a fantastic athlete, but despite the DWCS hype, he’s looked average in the UFC. He’s won two decisions sandwiching a submission loss to Chris Duncan in his three UFC fights, but his performances haven’t exactly turned heads. His takedown defense is solid, though, and he’ll need it here.

Mason Jones is back in the UFC and 1-0 since his return, dominating Jeremy Stephens last time out. With a great chin, relentless pressure, and a knack for takedowns, Jones is a force. His striking is improving, and if that trend continues, he’ll only get better in this second UFC run. Expect him to add another win here.

Prediction: Mason Jones to win.

Light Heavyweight Bout: Modestas Bukauskas (18-6) vs. Paul Craig (17-9-1)

This fight will deliver exactly what it promises: someone’s either going to sleep or getting knocked out cold.

Modestas Bukauskas is on a tear, winning his last three UFC fights, two by finish, and boasting a 7-1 record in his last eight. Those stats demand respect. He enters as the heavy betting favorite, aiming to extend his streak to four.

Paul Craig, beloved by European MMA fans as “Bearjew,” is on a three-fight skid and desperately needs a win to silence talk that he’s past his prime. Craig has beaten elite fighters, including a submission win over current 205-pound champ Magomed Ankalaev and a brutal arm-breaking victory over Jamahal Hill. If he’s at his best, his submission skills could lead to an upset.

Prediction: Paul Craig to win (I’m a huge fan).

Co-Main Event: Lightweight Bout: Benoit Saint-Denis (14-3) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (12-1)

BANGER ALERT. The judges won’t be needed for this one—I’d be shocked if this lightweight clash goes to the scorecards, even over three rounds.

Benoit Saint-Denis is a wild man, though his aura has dimmed slightly after losses to Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano. He bounced back with a submission win over Kyle Prepolec via arm triangle in his last fight. His best path to victory is leveraging his superior ground game, as his stand-up, while solid, doesn’t match Ruffy’s striking prowess.

Brazil’s Mauricio Ruffy arrives with serious hype, riding a seven-fight win streak. His last fight ended with a jaw-dropping heel-kick knockout of Bobby Green, adding to his collection of highlight-reel KOs. Ruffy’s fighting style—bouncing on his toes, throwing creative shots from all angles—reminds me of prime Conor McGregor. If he keeps this fight standing, he’s got the edge. The hype is real.

Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy to win.

Main Event: Middleweight Bout: Nassourdine Imavov (16-4) vs. Caio Borralho (17-1)

Nassourdine Imavov deserves a title shot already, but he’s got to go through Caio Borralho first. This could be his toughest test yet. Fighting in front of a raucous Paris crowd will boost the French star, but it won’t make this fight any easier.

Borralho, from the renowned Fighting Nerds gym, is a perfect 7-0 in the UFC. His striking is improving, but his grappling is his bread and butter. A high-IQ fighter like Borralho will likely lean on his ground game, as trading strikes with Imavov puts him at a disadvantage.

I see Imavov controlling the first round or two, stuffing early takedowns. But as the fight progresses into rounds three, four, and five, staying on his feet will get tougher. If he can keep it standing, he’ll preserve his No. 1 contender status and likely face Khamzat next.

Prediction: Nassourdine Imavov to win.

Enjoy the violence, my degenerate friends!

Phil

Phillip Dean

Phillip Dean is a seasoned combat sports journalist from England, with over 27 years of ringside experience. Phillip delivers engaging, in-depth reporting on the world of combat sports.