UFC London Preview, Breakdown & Analysis

After a rare weekend featuring no UFC action, the Octagon will return this Saturday night (March 17, 2018) with UFC Fight Night 127 live on UFC Fight Pass from the O2 Arena in London, England.

The main event will play host to a heavyweight bout between former UFC champion Fabricio Werdum and former Bellator titleholder Alexander Volkov. Meanwhile, the co-main event features a rematch between light heavyweight contenders with Jimi Manuwa facing Jan Blachowicz. Also on the main card, Tom Duquesnoy will square off with Terrion Ware in a potentially explosive bantamweight tilt.

Without further ado, let’s take a deeper look into UFC Fight Night 127’s marquee fights in our preview, breakdown, and analysis below.

Fabricio Werdum vs. Alexander Volkov

UFC Fight Night 127’s main event will feature a battle between two surging heavyweights.

Werdum, the former UFC champion, is coming off back-to-back victories over Marcin Tybura and Walt Harris, and will once again be tasked with taking on one of the division’s younger contenders.

Without question one of the very best submission artists to have ever graced the Octagon, Werdum, a second-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, has continued to round out his game in recent years under the tutelage of Rafael Cordeiro.

Showing the most improvement in the striking department, Werdum has transformed himself into a pressure fighter with a diverse Muay Thai background. He flows through combinations well and has incorporated the use of kicks and knees into his arsenal. 

He has, at times, proven to be hittable, however.

In terms of grappling, Werdum undoubtedly has the advantage in the submission department. He also has solid wrestling and terrific scrambling abilities, which lead me to believe that this is his best path to victory.

Volkov, meanwhile, is currently riding a five-fight winning streak that includes three-straight victories since entering the UFC in 2016.

On the feet, Volkov is extremely lengthy, has a great sense of range and uses more of a kickboxing approach, while also incorporating techniques from his background in traditional martial arts. He moves well, uses a wide variety of strikes and has the ability to fight out of both stances. He also has shown success fighting both going forward and moving backward.

In terms of grappling, Volkov’s wrestling, at times, has been his weakness, but in recent years, he’s improved his takedown defense a bit. However, I simply don’t feel as if he matches up well against Werdum in the clinch or on the ground.

Volkov has looked good recently, but when it comes down to it, he’s never faced a fighter quite like Werdum. If he can keep the fight standing and work his game plan, he could see success, but I expect Werdum to put the pressure on and eventually drag the fight to the canvas where he’ll be able to outclass his Russian opponent.

Prediction: Fabricio Werdum def. Alexander Volkov via third-round submission

Jimi Manuwa vs. Jan Blachowicz

When these two met for a first time in April 2015, the bout turned out to be a rather lackluster contest, although Manuwa dictated the pace and saw success in the clinch, which earned him a decision victory.

Since then, however, I’d argue that both men have continued to evolve.

After defeating Blachowicz, Manuwa has gone just 2-2, picking up back-to-back stoppage victories over Ovince Saint Preux and Corey Anderson before dropping a thunderous defeat to Volkan Oezdemir in his last fight this past July.

Stylistically, “Poster Boy” is primarily a striker. Typically preferring to put pressure on his opponents, Manuwa is not only extremely accurate with his strikes but extremely powerful as well, with 15 of his 17 professional victories coming by way of T/KO.

In terms of grappling, it’s hard to judge Manuwa given the fact that his fights typically remain on the feet. Regardless, his wrestling has appeared to improve in recent years and he has at times proven to be strong in the clinch.

Blachowicz, on the other hand, is 3-3 since his first meeting with Manuwa, but he’s seemed to have hit his stride as of late and is coming off of back-to-back victories.

On the feet, the Pole is effective when moving forward, throwing combinations and working in his devastating left kick, although he also sees success when counter striking.

In recent years, he’s relocated to a full-time training camp where’s improved his wrestling technique to go along with his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt.

Ultimately, I can see this fight playing out in a few different ways.

If Blachowicz can get Manuwa down, he should be able to control the action and possibly find a submission. However, I’m going to side with the “Poster Boy”. I think Manuwa will come in highly motivated, be able to out-strike Blachowicz and eventually land a big shot in front of his home country.

Prediction: Jimi Manuwa def. Jan Blachowicz via third-round TKO

Tom Duquesnoy vs. Terrion Ware

In this match-up, two bantamweights will look to get back on track.

Prior to an October 2017 loss to Cody Stamann, Duquesnoy had seen quite a bit of success, as he had gone 11-0-1 in his previous 12 bouts.

On the feet, Duquesnoy is an aggressive pressure fighter who has shown the ability to fight out of both stances. Incorporating a Muay Thai background, he has a vicious arsenal of kicks, although he mixes his attacks up well.

One thing to note, however, is that Duquesnoy’s aggressiveness can at times leave him open to counter strikes.

In terms of grappling, Duquesnoy’s wrestling is a bit underrated, in my opinion, and on the ground, he uses solid transitions to work in strikes and submission attempts.

Ware, meanwhile, is coming off of back-to-back losses against Stamann and rising prospect Sean O’Malley.

On the feet, the American also likes to inflict pressure, but he uses more of a boxing approach, closing the distance using his jab. He uses a solid right hand as well, although his tendency to cover up in defense rather than move and circle raises some concern.

In terms of grappling, Ware is willing to look for the takedown and the submission and his defense has appeared to improve in recent years.

As far as how the fight will play out, I’m going to side with Duquesnoy. He’ll have to be cautious of Ware’s right hand, but I feel as if his unique striking style will allow him to pick the American apart on his way to a decision victory.

Prediction: Tom Duquesnoy def. Terrion Ware via unanimous decision