Preview: UFC Fight Night 220 Prelims

Lightweights

Victor Martinez (13-4, 0-0 UFC) vs. Jordan Leavitt (10-2, 3-2 UFC)

ODDS: Martinez (-115), Leavitt (-105)

This should be a solid striker-versus-grappler matchup. Leavitt fulfills the grappler side of the equation, as that has been the only real plus tool “The Monkey King” has brought to the table thus far. To his credit, Leavitt’s grappling skills are legitimately potent and creative, even pulling out an inverted triangle choke to beat Matt Sayles in 2021. As expected, things can also go south for Leavitt in a multitude of ways; Claudio Puelles outwrestled and neutralized him, and Paddy Pimblett did much the same in his most recent fight in July. Leavitt has put in the work to round out his skills, so it will be interesting to see how he manages against a newcomer in Martinez, who figures to hunt for the knockout. A Diego Ferreira disciple, “The Brick” is a well-rounded fighter content to plug away on the feet for the win, and he showed some solid wrestling defense in earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021. That, combined with Leavitt’s somewhat low-percentage approach, in general, is enough to give him the lean, even if either man is fully capable of winning this. The pick is Martinez via decision.

Jump To »
Hermogenes vs. Jasudavicius
Martinez vs. Leavitt
Johnson vs. Osbourne
Solecki vs. Deaton
Aliev vs. Alves
Cowan vs. Perez
Armfield vs. Johnson