- George Chung
- Jun 5, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 8, 2024
The UFC returns to Louisville, Kentucky, for the first time in over a decade, bringing a thrilling fight card to the KFC Yum! Center. This preview provides a detailed breakdown of the anticipated bouts, including the main event featuring middleweights Jared Cannonier and Nassourdine Imavov.
Main Event: Jared Cannonier vs. Nassourdine Imavov
Location: KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, Kentucky
Broadcast: ESPN / ESPN+
Other Main Card Highlights:
Dominick Reyes vs. Dustin Jacoby: Light heavyweights looking to regain momentum.
Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Ricky Turcios: Young talents clash after a postponed bout.
Brunno Ferreira vs. Dustin Stoltzfus: Middleweight contenders aim for victory.
Julian Marquez vs. Zach Reese: Middleweights face off in a critical bout.
Miguel Baeza vs. Punahele Soriano: Welterweights battle at a pivotal juncture.
Preliminary Card Matchups:
Thiago Moises vs. Ludovit Klein: Lightweights compete to climb the ranks.
Charles Radtke vs. Carlos Prates: Prospects fight for their place in the division.
Brad Katona vs. Jesse Butler: Bantamweights meet in an intriguing match.
Andrea Lee vs. Montana De La Rosa: Flyweights rematch amid career challenges.
John Castaneda vs. Daniel Marcos: Bantamweights seek to extend their win streaks.
Eduarda Moura vs. Denise Gomes: Strawweights vie for dominance.
Cody Stamann vs. Taylor Lapilus: Veterans aim to return to winning ways.
Rayanne dos Santos vs. Puja Tomar: Strawweights open the night with high stakes.
Fight Breakdown
Main Event
Jared Cannonier, a seasoned contender in the middleweight division, aims to solidify his standing against the rising French fighter, Nassourdine Imavov. Cannonier, known for his knockout power, comes off two consecutive wins, including a notable victory over Sean Strickland. Imavov, after rebounding with a majority decision against Roman Dolidze, seeks a career-defining win. This fight could pivot the future for both fighters in a fluctuating middleweight roster.
Co-Main Event
Dominick Reyes, once a title challenger who narrowly missed dethroning Jon Jones, enters the octagon on a four-fight losing streak, desperately needing a turnaround. Dustin Jacoby, after a strong start post his return via Dana White's Contender Series, has struggled lately, making this a crucial bout for both fighters. Their styles promise a stand-up battle that could end with a dramatic finish.
Other Featured Bouts
The young phenom Raul Rosas Jr., at just 19, showcases a dynamic skill set that has the MMA community buzzing. Ricky Turcios, known for his unpredictable fighting style and energy, aims to derail the hype train. This match was rescheduled from February, adding an extra layer of anticipation.
Both fighters are Dana White's Contender Series alumni with something to prove. Brunno Ferreira, with a perfect finish rate in his victories, faces Dustin Stoltzfus, who seeks consistency after a mixed UFC tenure. Expect a tactical fight with potential ground exchanges and submission attempts.
Julian Marquez returns after a year, training with new camps to revitalize his career. Zach Reese, a newcomer with all wins by finishes, faces his biggest test yet. This fight will test Reese's readiness for the UFC and Marquez's ability to return to form.
Both fighters started their UFC careers impressively but have recently faced setbacks. Baeza, a striking specialist, and Soriano, known for his power and aggression, will likely engage in a stand-up war that could end at any moment with a knockout.
Preliminary Bouts
Thiago Moises, holding a strong position in the lightweight division, faces the surging Ludovit Klein, who has proven his skills with a recent knockout win. This matchup will likely showcase high-level grappling and striking from both fighters.
Charles Radtke seeks to extend his win streak against Carlos Prates, a fighter known for his knockout power. This fight is a classic striker vs. grappler matchup, providing a chance for each to demonstrate their dominance in their preferred realms.
A rematch from their 2019 bout, both fighters aim to break their current losing streaks. Andrea Lee, a striker, and Montana De La Rosa, a grappler, will look to leverage their strengths in what promises to be a competitive matchup.
With a solid UFC record, John Castaneda looks to fend off the undefeated Daniel Marcos, a dangerous striker. This fight could either continue Marcos' unbeaten run or reassert Castaneda's status as a formidable gatekeeper in the division.
Eduarda Moura, known for her aggressive style, takes on Denise Gomes, who looks to bounce back from a loss. Expect a high-paced fight with both fighters eager to climb the strawweight ladder.
Veteran Cody Stamann faces Taylor Lapilus in a critical matchup for their careers. Both are well-rounded, but will need to leverage their wrestling and striking skills effectively to secure a win.
Opening the night, Rayanne dos Santos and debutant Puja Tomar aim to set the tone. Dos Santos seeks redemption after a close loss, while Tomar looks to impress in her first UFC appearance.
