Preview: UFC Fight Night 207 Prelims

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Featherweights

Damon Jackson (20-4-1, 3-2-1 UFC) vs. Dan Argueta (8-0, 0-0 UFC)

ODDS: Jackson (-475), Argueta (+350)

Jackson’s second UFC run has been everything his first was not, mostly in the positive. Jackson was less than two years into his pro career when he got his first UFC call in 2014, which saw “The Leech” score every result but a victory in three bouts, recording a loss and a no contest before finishing up with a draw. After a successful four-year run on the regional scene, Jackson was one of many veterans to take advantage of the chaos that the pandemic provided and find their way to the UFC. Jackson got a particularly tough assignment for his return against Mirsad Bektic, but after getting beaten badly for two rounds, he managed to score a third-round submission to complete an unlikely comeback. Jackson then got run over by top prospect Ilia Topuria, but he has since rebounded with two straight wins where he has looked his best, combining some scrappy and aggressive grappling with a dangerous takedown and submission game. After a late change, Jackson looks to make it three straight wins against a UFC newcomer in Argueta. A graduate of Season 29 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Argueta was one-and-done in that competition, losing his opening fight to eventual bantamweight winner Ricky Turcios. However, he has put together three wins since to keep his undefeated record intact, earning this shot as a result. Argueta is talented but raw, with most of his approach focusing around a dogged wrestling game. Even though Argueta visibly tires over the course of his fights, he is still willing to charge through his opponent’s attack to put something together, whether it is some offense on the mat or just assuming some control. Argueta’s approach should result in some fun moments against an opponent like Jackson, but this looks like a tough ask for the UFC debutant. With a lot of his success built around physicality, moving up in weight to take on both a large and talented grappler seems like it will eventually result in a losing battle. The pick is Jackson via third-round submission.

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