Preview: UFC Fight Night 182 Prelims

Welterweights

Max Griffin (15-8) vs. Ramiz Brahimaj (8-2)

ODDS: Griffin (-155), Brahimaj (+135)

While it has not been the most successful UFC run, Griffin has proven entertaining nearly every time he steps inside the Octagon. Griffin shows some solid game planning at times—his 2018 win over Mike Perry is the clearest example—but his attempts to be a more patient and technical fighter often run counter to his proclivity for throwing down. Add in that Griffin is both athletic and durable, and the end result is an inconsistency that makes it hard to peg his skills in the overall scheme of things. It also makes for wild and entertaining momentum swings over the course of his fights. Brahimaj, a UFC newcomer, is a much more straightforward fighter. He immediately looks to grapple and hunt for a submission, and he has been successful more often than not. There is not much else going on in terms of ancillary skills for Brahimaj, and his record suggests he has issues late if he cannot find an early finish. This fight should help settle whether or not he needs to round out his repertoire to succeed in the UFC. Griffin is actually quite solid in terms of submission defense, so the bet is that he can survive some early trouble and pour it on in the later rounds. The pick is Griffin via decision.

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