Preview: UFC Seattle ‘Cejudo vs. Song’

Light Heavyweights

Alonzo Menifield (15-5-1, 8-5-1 UFC) vs. Julius Walker (6-0, 0-0 UFC)

ODDS: Menifield (-218), Walker (+180)

This is one of a few last-minute additions to help bolster a card that was quickly falling apart, and Menifield at least should bring some excitement to the proceedings. Menifield has clearly always been a top-shelf athlete for mixed martial arts, but as a late convert to the sport, it was an open question as to how quickly he could round things out to become anything more than a raw powerhouse. The going was a bit rough for a few years, but a late 2023 win over Dustin Jacoby seemed to be Menifield’s coming-out party as a potential contender. Rather than charge into danger or get overwhelmed by Jacoby’s striking volume, Menifield stayed patient and picked his spots to win rounds with a few huge moments of offense. Given that backdrop, his next outing—which saw him recklessly run into a knockout against Carlos Ulberg—was tremendously disappointing, but Menifield was back in smarter form against Azamat Murzakanov in August, even if that fight did end in another knockout loss. With a fight next month falling through and this card in need of some fights, Menifield steps in to take on a UFC newcomer in Walker on short notice.

Walker has been racking up wins against UFC and “The Ultimate Fighter” veterans, so it was assumed that he would find his way to the UFC or the Contender Series in short order. At just 25 years old, “Juice Box” is an interesting long-term prospect, particularly since he has a wrestling- and grappling-focused approach that serves as a highly effective changeup in these heavier divisions. However, a lot of Walker’s regional success has depended on his ability to overpower opponents, which becomes an entirely different proposition against someone with the Menifield’s horsepower. Walker could wind up catching a submission if things get ugly, but it seems likelier that Menifield causes a lot of damage in short order. The pick is Menifield via first-round knockout.

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Cejudo vs. Song
Hernandez vs. Allen
Font vs. Matsumoto
Silva vs. Baghdasaryan
Menifield vs. Walker
The Prelims