Preview: UFC on ESPN 44 Prelims

Lightweights

Daniel Zellhuber (12-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Lando Vannata (12-6-2, 4-6-2 UFC)

ODDS: Zellhuber (-120), Vannata (+100)

These two lightweight talents can be frustrating at times, but at least they should combine for an exciting fight. Vannata looked set for stardom at the end of 2016. After making his late-notice debut and nearly knocking off top contender Tony Ferguson, Vannata finished up the year with a scintillating knockout of John Makdessi that had everyone waiting for his next performance. However, Vannata did not post his next win until 2019, alternating losses and draws in a series of disappointing performances. Vannata is an electric and dynamic striker when everything is clicking, but he often seems creative to a fault. Vannata leaves himself open defensively as he attempts to cycle through his options, and he has never been one to particularly manage his gas tank. A brief stint down at featherweight offered the same mixed results as usual—Vannata somehow has not strung together two of the same result during a 12-fight UFC career—so he moves back up to 155 pounds in an attempt to rebound here. Zellhuber looked to be on the more promising end of what has become a typical prospect mold coming off Dana White’s Contender Series. The Mexican is young, physically talented and looks to make up for any technical flaws with sheer aggression; or at least he did up until his UFC debut against Trey Ogden in September. Ogden took a passive approach and Zellhuber never really did much to take advantage, waiting for openings that never came while coasting to a clear decision loss. That should not be a concern in this one, as Vannata is there to be hit and should engage in the type of back-and-forth fight in which Zellhuber thrives, even if it is unclear who will actually walk away with the win. Vannata seems like the more reliable bet to actually throw and could mix things up with his wrestling, but Zellhuber seems more able to actually keep up a pace over three rounds. The pick is Zellhuber via decision.

Jump To »
Algeo vs. Brown
Nicolau vs. Royval
Cummings vs. Herman
Robertson vs. Rodriguez
Zellhuber vs. Vannata
Brasil vs. Gomes
Bolanos vs. Phillips
Pudilova vs. Edwards