The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2: Neil Magny vs. Gastelum Preview

Diego Sanchez, one of the feature fights, is in his first featherweight match. Photo Courtesy: Mark Richardson
Diego Sanchez, one of the feature fights, is in his first featherweight match.
Photo Courtesy: Mark Richardson

By Kyler Koehler

The Ultimate Fight Latin America 2 Finale: Brown vs. Gastelum will air on November 21, 2015 in Monterrey, Mexico.

#13 NEIL MAGNY (16-5-0) vs. KELVIN GASTELUM (12-1-0)
This is a five round main event in the welterweight division. In this fight are two fighters that are planning to improve their game and continue their journey to a future title shot. Brown brings wrestling and jiu-jitsu that has given him victories in all methods of victory. Gastelum brings jiu-jitsu and wrestling that has lead him to 11 eleven wins at only 24 years old and already having experience in two different weight classes. What sets this fight up is that both fighters are well skilled on their feet and the ground, but what will set this fight up is the power that both fighters bring. Gastelum’s striking power will surely be something that Magny has never faced before, though if Magny were to keep Gastelum close to the cage and not give him any room to set up his wrestling then he could possibly wear him down and end up placing him in a grappling hold. Though it will not be easy to before with the great takedown defense that Gastelum has in his style. My prediction: Gastelum wins via submission in Round 2.

#4 RICARDO “THE BULLY” LAMAS (15-4-0) vs. DIEGO “THE NIGHTMARE” SANCHEZ (27-7-0)
This is a three round fight in the featherweight division. In this fight are two fighters that always leave a big mark and when they meet for the first time fans will be ready for an epic showdown and a possible ‘Fight of the Night’ candidate. Lamas brings jiu-jitsu and wrestling that has given him a record of 15 wins four losses and made him skilled in both knockouts and submissions. Sanchez brings boxing, jiu-jitsu and wrestling that has made him not only effective inside the octagon, but well trained in three other weight classes giving him much more experience in how to fight bigger and stronger fighters. What will possibly be the deciding factor in this fight will possibly who has the better striking and cardio which both fighters bring both those aspects, but with all the weight cutting that Sanchez has done throughout his career that could possibly show his lack of cardio in this fight giving Lamas the advantage in this fight. My prediction: Lamas wins via unanimous decision.

#3 JUSSIER FORMIGA (18-3-0) vs. HENRY “THE MESSANGER” CEJUDO (9-0-0)
This is a three round fight in the flyweight division. In this fight are two top competitors looking to find themselves in a title fight after a victory from this match proving to everyone that they are the number one contender for the Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson. Formiga brings both judo and jiu-jitsu that has not only lead him to a successful career, but landed him on the number three spot on UFC Flyweight rankings. Cejudo brings wrestling and Muay Thai that has not only helped him remain undefeated, but his wrestling also helped him claim gold at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. With both fighters being at the top of the leader board in the flyweight division this fight seems like it will be a war, but what will make or break it will be who shows the better ground game and takedown defense. In that case it looks like Cejudo will take this fight with ease due to his extraordinary wrestling background, but what will challenge him is Formiga’s jiu-jitsu that has made him well equipped with grappling moves that could prove to be a real challenge for Cejudo. Though Cejudo does contain great striking and cardio which is another style that I believe will make all the difference in this fight. My prediction: Cejudo wins via knockout in Round 2.