UFC 294: P, For Prelim! It's a Prelim Party!

Let's show some love to the undercard, as the main card has had global buzz surrounding it after the last two weeks.

UFC 294 has finally arrived and takes place this Saturday October 21st, 2023 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The main card has had a whirlwind of buzz around it with two major late notice changes. As a result, a loaded undercard is going mostly under the radar. The undercard has everything from TMZ adjacent gossip to grinding fights.

The Messy Drama

Tim Elliott (+330) Vs Muhammad Mokaev (-425)

Elliott recently had a very public, very messy divorce that included his then wife engaging in ongoing infidelity. With his best man. And Elliott himself is the one who broke the news via social media. “That’s the tea.” His last outing was a controlling win largely dictated by his strong top-game fundamentals and wrestling. The Ulanbekov win prior is probably his best in the last two years when you account for level of opponent as well. Elliott can frustrate young and unrefined fighters with his awkward striking style and controlling put pressuring grappling. The cardio is also very high level, which allows for him to have this unique fight style.

Muhammad Mokaev doesn’t have a gossipy aspect to his life for the most part. His fight style is as refined as his mindset, and is not only a clash of fight styles, but lifestyles. The most interesting part of the fight for me is how Mokaev will apply his surgical grappling game to the feral scrambling of Elliott. Chimaev/Holland? or Castillo/Ferguson? Mokaev has not faced a striker similar to Elliott in style, skill, or experience as well. Outside of those unknowns, most of the known factors favor Mokaev heavily and contribute to him being a heavy favorite but the fight still being fun on it’s own. The fight will be Elliott making it wild and fun, or witnessing Mokaev have his breakout performance. Both worth watching.

Prediction: Mokaev UD, Maybe sub if Elliott can’t find ways up and takes major risks.

The Fighter’s Fight

Nathaniel Wood Vs Muhammad Naimov

Wood fights like your favorite fighter’s favorite fighter. Gritty, technique filled, and constantly adding new tools to blend together. Wood cut his teeth in Cage Warriors, and has finally had a consistent run in the UFC without cancellations and injury. Jourdain/Fili is a brutal, violent, well-rounded back-to-back. Wood will look to bring his pressure and clinch work to Naimov early and often. Naimov is lacking in discipline, but has legit power and can push an advantage.

Prediction: Wood UD, Maybe TKO if Naimov fades and doesn’t defend to ref satisfaction.

Bash Bros

Javid Basharat Vs Victor Henry

Javid “One Half of the Bash Bros,” Basharat takes on Victor “Josh Barnett is my coach,” Henry. Basharat is much more refined, and has a pretty clear path to victory in find a leg and controlling Henry for the remainder of round. Henry is great at making fights scrappy and ugly, but Basharat is built to seize those risks at opportunities for him to extend lead rather than get baited into trade. If Basharat can stay light on the feet and stay away from the awkward cage battles the fight should be his to win. Hopefully this is the spotlight fight required to get him a ranked opponent with a little name recognition.

Prediction: Basharat UD, Henry a dawg’s dawg I don’t see him getting put away.

Quick Hitters:

Yahya Vs Peek:

Two names to watch for the next few years with fun fight styles. Expect flashy grappling and in-close striking

Dumas Vs Azaitar

A regional UAE prospect vs a regional Floria prospect. Likely a short and sweet banger with Dumas winning.

Magomedov Vs Silva

A lunatic violence prone product of a warlord takes on a fading fun fighter who went the distance with Poatan and walked through Tavares. Violence!

Summary:

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