UFC Moscow: Preliminary card preview Part 1

Get the scoop on UFC Moscow’s early prelims, including powerful prospect Magomed Ankalaev looking to get back on track against karateka Marcin Prachnio.

Given the Russian influence running through the UFC, it’s about time the UFC made its way to Mother Russia. However, when compared to the magnitude of the event of the UFC’s return to Brazil at UFC 134 in 2011, the landing in Moscow feels… underwhelming. Perhaps the opening half of the prelims is the wrong place for me to be making this statement as the opening preliminary contests of any card are usually the low point of the card. There’s no exception to this card, though there are some prospects who could become major players. Given that, there’s still no reason to purchase a Fight Pass subscription for this card.

The prelims for UFC Moscow begin at 10:30 AM ET/7:30 AM PT on Saturday.

Magomed Ankalaev (10-1) vs. Marcin Prachnio (13-3), Light Heavyweight

Ankalaev entered the UFC with a nice bit of hype in March, dominating Paul Craig for almost the entirety of the contest in his debut. Then, as the fight was drawing to a close, Craig locked in a triangle choke off his back and Anaklaev couldn’t resist tapping, doing so with a single second left. Regardless, the performance saw Ankalaev display enough promise that critics shouldn’t give up on the youngster. Ankalaev controlled the standup and displayed some brutal GnP despite not looking to be at his best. Perhaps getting the Octagon jitters out of the way could prove helpful.

Prachnio will look to keep his distance from the larger Russian. Prachnio has an extensive background in karate competition, looking to create an explosive collision ala Lyoto Machida in his prime. He fought with recklessness against Sam Alvey, showing zero respect for his opponent and paid the price for it with a violent KO loss. If he keeps his distance and gets his kicks working, Prachnio could pick apart Ankalaev. If he fights like he did against Alvey, the Pole will probably end his sophomore UFC effort in a similar manner to his first.

Prachnio is far more likely to produce a highlight reel finish between these two, but he comes up on the short end of the stick in far too many categories. He’s small for 205, has a very limited grappling game, and showed little discipline in his UFC debut. Ankalaev should find a way to pound him out in short order. Ankalaev via TKO of RD1

Adam Yandiev (9-0) vs. Jared Johnson (9-0), Middleweight

There has long been speculation that Johnson would drop down to middleweight as he faced a higher level of competition moving up the light heavyweight ladder, though it is a bit of a surprise to see him doing so as an injury replacement for Krzysztof Jotko. Nonetheless, Johnson should be able to make weight comfortably – he stepped in relatively shortly after the fight was announced – and should be able to implement his wrestle-heavy approach with greater success against smaller opposition. His boxing is rudimentary with small chance to put away his opposition, though it serves as a functional compliment to Johnson’s wrestling.

Yandiev is a physical specimen, showing great power in his striking and grappling. However, there isn’t much functionality in his approach as he has been able to overwhelm his opposition so far with his sheer physicality. Outside of wild haymakers, there is nothing to his standup and his over-aggression on the ground has resulted in plenty of reversals and escapes for his opponents. Nonetheless, he has a very tight squeeze and it doesn’t take long for his opponents to tap once he has the sub locked in.

There is going to be a lot of emotion for the Russian fighters, likely resulting in an adrenaline rush that Johnson could find difficult to overcome. Regardless, Johnson’s wrestling background will make it difficult for Yandiev to bully Johnson around the cage and find a submission. Johnson via decision

Ramazan Emeev (17-3) vs. Stefan Sekulic (12-2), Welterweight

Credit to Sekulic for stepping in with very little notice, but he looks like he’s in over his head against Emeev. Emeev is a massive welterweight with a smothering wrestle-grappling game that most find boring. He can effectively strike in short bursts with considerable power, though the longer he stays on his feet trading fisticuffs, the more his limitations become exposed. Emeev is aware of that and doesn’t bother to stay standing for long, nor can his opponents easily get him to the ground. Though his takedowns aren’t impossible to fight off, his doggedness in chaining them together is what makes his style so effective.

Sekulic is a young Serb with a large frame for 170. However, he’s spent a good chunk of his career fighting at middleweight, leading to questions about how well his cut to welterweight will go on short notice. Plus, Sekulic’s level of competition hasn’t provided much inspiration. There are tools for him to work with as he shows a good top pressure to work for submissions on the ground, but little else that appears ready for top competition.

Emeev looks like he’s going to bowl over his younger opponent with little issue. Even if Sekulic can keep the fight standing, his single strike style doesn’t appear to be consistent enough to put Emeev on the ropes. Expect the Russian to secure a finish before the time limit expires. Emeev via submission of RD2

Merab Dvalishvili (7-4) vs. Terrion Ware (17-7), Bantamweight

Fresh off the losing end of one of the most controversial referee’s decisions in a long time, Dvalishvili may be looking at his final opportunity to prove he’s UFC material. It’s almost certainly the case for Ware who has yet to pick up a UFC win in three attempts thus far. To be fair to the American, Ware has been given some of the UFC’s brightest prospects with the intention of him being a stepping stone for each of them. He has made each of them work for their wins, marching forward with constant pressure while working his boxing game to great effect. Ware’s one big problem: takedown defense.

That’s music to the ears of Dvalishvili as his offensive game consists almost solely of hunting for takedowns, attempting 45 over the course of his two UFC contests. That’s an average of one-and-a-half a minute. You’re bound to get some takedowns with that type of relentless pressure and Dvalishvili gets more than his share. His standup is still on the uneven side, though he does have enough power that opponents need to show him some respect.

This is Ware’s best opportunity for victory. Given judges tend to favor striking and damage more than takedowns and control than they used to, Ware could end up eking out a decision based on what he’s able to do in the brief intermissions the fight is on the feet. However, I expect those intermissions to be too brief for him to do enough damage for the decision. Dvalishvili via decision