The Prudential Heart has the pleasure of internet hosting the following massive PPV occasion as New Jersey followers put together to showcase their electrical environment.
The final time the occasion was held in Newark was final yr at UFC 302, the place Islam Makhachev submitted Dustin Poirier late within the fifth spherical to stay the King of the Lightweights.
Two anticipated title fights happen in the principle and co-main occasion of UFC 316, in addition to being standout rivalries.
However one thing else it’s best to preserve a watch out for are these 5 battles, which is able to ship fireworks contained in the Octagon.
Kelvin Gastelum vs Joe Pyfer
A Middleweight matchup that was speculated to occur on the finish of March at UFC Mexico Metropolis was rescheduled for an excellent greater stage.
Gastelum and Pyfer aren’t any strangers to giving UFC followers a wild response as each males share 10 battle bonuses between them.
The previous Interim Middleweight title challenger has been concerned in one of the crucial thrilling wars in UFC historical past, going the space with Israel Adesanya in an exciting hanging battle at UFC 236.
The action-packed contest shall be inducted into the Corridor of Fame this yr at UFC 312.
Pyfer hardly ever goes the space or will get concerned in back-and-forth battles, as he loves nothing greater than to complete fights.
12 of his 13 victories in MMA have ended with a stoppage, 9 by KO/TKO and three by submission.
Based mostly on their final bouts, Gastelum is trying to begin a profitable streak after a unanimous choice win over Daniel Rodriguez at UFC Saudi Arabia, again in June 2024.
‘Bodybagz’ can also be aiming to start a triumphant run after redeeming his final defeat with a jaw-dropping first-round knockout win over Marc-Andre Barriault at UFC 303.
Each males are exceptionally well-rounded within the Octagon, that means that we may see an entertaining contest on the toes or floor.
Vicente Luque vs Kevin Holland
You possibly can’t argue with a UFC battle card when two UFC veterans go head-to-head, particularly after they’re recognized for knockouts and submissions.
Luque has been a long-lasting contender within the Welterweight division and has taken on former UFC champions, together with Belal Muhammad, Leon Edwards, Tyron Woodley, and Rafael Dos Anjos.
The Brazilian has a complete of 20 stoppage victories in MMA and has the second most finishes within the UFC’s 170-pound division with 14.
Holland is arguably one of the crucial well-respected fighters within the organisation because of his exercise as he competes in his twenty first battle for the corporate since 2020.
When victorious, ‘Trailblazer’ hardly ever goes to the judges’ scorecards with 22 finishes out of 27 triumphs in his skilled MMA profession.
When it comes to their final fights, ‘The Silent Murderer’ earned redemption with a submission victory in simply 52 seconds at UFC 310.
The Riverside-born combined martial artist additionally redeemed himself with a unanimous choice win at UFC London.
Whereas Holland has been a contender within the Welterweight division, he appears to be like to achieve a spot again into the highest 15 as Luque defends his #14 rating.
Bruno Silva vs Joshua Van
Two promising Flyweight prospects that followers imagine could possibly be future title challengers.
Each Silva and Van sit above the highest 15 within the 125-pound rankings as they give the impression of being to placed on an announcement win in Newark, permitting them to battle a high contender of their subsequent bout.
The 2 contenders share a complete of 18 finishes of their MMA careers, suggesting that this battle could not go the space.
The Brazilian was on a four-fight profitable streak, which included three TKO victories and one submission.
Nonetheless, ‘Bulldog’ was knocked out in his final battle at UFC Tampa by Manel Kape as he searches for a technique to get again within the win column.
Van’s hype at Flyweight took a slight downturn at UFC Denver when Charles Johnson surprisingly knocked him out within the third spherical.
Since then, ‘The Fearless’ stands on a three-fight win streak with all of these contests ending by unanimous choice and being relatively entertaining to observe.
With this encounter showing on the featured prelim, it’s hoped to not let down any of the New Jersey followers in attendance.
Azamat Murzakanov vs Brendson Ribeiro
Regardless of Johnny Walker being the unique opponent for Murzakanov, one other Brazilian steps as much as the plate, and he likes to make fast work of his foes.
After a first-round TKO win, which earned him a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Collection (DWCS), the Russian solely wanted three fights to change into a Gentle Heavyweight contender.
‘The Skilled’ is undefeated with 14 victories, stopping 10 of his opponents by KO/TKO, as he is a big downside on the toes.
Ribeiro equally entered the organisation with a first-round knockout win on DWCS, however suffered defeat in his first two UFC fights.
‘The Gorilla’ has solely gone the space as soon as, out of his 17 wins in MMA, with 11 of his finishes ending within the first spherical.
Murzaknov confirmed what potential he has of being a future title challenger after knocking out Alonzo Menifield at UFC Abu Dhabi in his final battle. Consequently, the Russian rose the 205-pound rankings to #12
The Marituba-born fighter earned his first stoppage win within the UFC in his final contest, submitting Diyar Nurgozhay with a Kimura Lock at UFC Vegas 104. Ribeiro is now on a two-fight profitable streak heading into Newark.
Whereas the Brazilian has the chance of getting into the Gentle Heavyweight high 15, after taking the battle on quick discover, all of the strain is on Murzakanov as he tries to defend his undefeated report and #12 contender’s spot
Quillan Salkilld vs Yanal Ashmouz
An unnoticed Light-weight bout that deserves recognition within the Early prelims, prepared to supply an lively begin to UFC 316.
Salkilld and Ashmouz share two issues in widespread: they each have the identical MMA report (8-1-0) and the identical variety of finishes, six.
The Australian has solely misplaced on his debut to the game, as since then, he has been on a sensational rise, making a reputation for himself in Everlasting MMA earlier than competing on DWCS.
The 26-year-old could be seen as unpredictable, incomes three KO/TKO triumphs and submissions, as he presents a formidable check for his opponents.
‘The Purple Fox’ was undefeated when he entered the UFC, incomes a stunning first-round knockout win over Sam Patterson at UFC 286, in enemy territory, on his debut with the organisation.
Nonetheless, simply 4 months later in the identical area at UFC London, the Israeli suffered his first loss by unanimous choice towards Chris Duncan.
Based mostly on their current performances, it’s difficult to foretell who may win this potential three-round warfare.
Salkilld made his debut for the corporate at UFC 312, scoring a 19-second knockout over Anshul Jubli in his house nation.
Ashmouz went again to profitable methods in his final battle when he went to the judges’ scorecards at UFC Vegas 97, incomes a convincing unanimous choice win over Trevor Peek.
The Early Prelims should not all the time eye-catching for some MMA followers, however these two prospects may actually make a reputation for themselves in the event that they pull off a noticeable win.