Chartway Arena, Las Vegas is the host of UFC 248 which is headlined by Israel Adesanya and Yoel Romero. The entire card is littered with current and future stars and is one that cannot be missed. The co-main also sees a title fight between current Strawweight queen, Weili Zhang face former Strawweight queen Joanna Jedrzejczyk in what is one of many intriguing matchups. Let’s get right into the previews for UFC 248 below.
UFC 248 Preview & Prediction
Israel Adesanya vs. Yoel Romero
In the main event of UFC 248 we have the Middleweight title on the line. Adesanya could not have been more impressive in beating Robert Whittaker to earn the belt and this is his first title defense. Adesanya is the longer, rangier fighter who has a great understanding of range and distance and varies his punches and kicks to great effect. I have to respect him calling out Romero as he is built like a Greek god and hits like a truck. This fight is fraught with danger for the Kiwi as Romero has the ability to put his opponent out with one well timed shot, just ask Chris Weidman. I believe Adesanya gets this done and he really does have star written all over him but with Romero’s uncanny power and explosiveness you would be a brave man to rule him out and take the prohibitive odds about Adesanya.
TIP: No Bet
Weili Zhang vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk
There are not many matchups which I struggle to separate more than this Women’s strawweight title fight. No one knows how to win a five-round fight in any women’s division better than Joanna and other than with Rose, Joanna has never been out struck. Her jab is as crisp and clean as it can get that would impress any boxing coach and if she fights behind her sharp jab and with the high pace, she keeps she could cause real problems for Weili. Weili Zhang has had a meteoric rise, beating Tecia Torres by decision and then knocking out Andrade to earn the title. She is an incredible athlete who has a well-rounded game. I personally don’t see her as strong as former champion Rose and I see these two as a level above the rest of the division, Andrade included, and this should be a very close fight. Originally I was going to stay away from this fight but I do not know if Zhang will be able to get past Joanna’s jab enough to win multiple rounds nor do I see her knocking her out and therefore I am going to go with Joanna to get the win and regain her belt.
Sean O’Malley vs. Jose Quinonez
‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley has missed two years due to multiple, arguably unfair, suspensions and comes in here against a man with a greatly padded record. O’Malley has a three-inch reach advantage and genuine knockout power to boot. Quinonez needs to get this to the mat and he doesn’t have the prowess to do so and will repeatedly get caught closing the distance before eventually being put away by Sugar. Welcome to the sugar show everybody he is just getting started.
Emily Whitmire vs. Polyana Viana
Polyana Viana is one of the most frustrating fighters to watch as she has undoubted potential but has failed to show it on multiple occasions. Her opponent here in Whitmire failed to beat Modafferi exposing the major gap in her ground game in the process. Viana is ten times more efficient on the ground and has 10 stoppage wins, all in the first round on her record and there is no reason why she can’t make short work of Whitmire here and make it eleven. This really is a mismatch even with the unpredictability of Viana, the market looks well off.
Jamall Emmers vs. Giga Chikadze
Ultimately, I see Emmers getting this to the ground and getting a finish either via ground and pound or by submission but Emmer has been known to get too eager on his feet in the past and if he does this again he could get stopped in his tracks. Chikadze has plenty of power in his hands but not much else and don’t be fooled by his UFC debut where it went the distance as his opponent in that fight was known for his durability. Regardless of whether this goes to the ground or standing this isn’t lasting all three rounds.
Fight go distance: No
$1.81
