Preview: UFC Fight Night 194 Prelims

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Featherweights

NR | Damon Jackson (18-4-1, 1-2-1 UFC) vs. NR | Charles Rosa (14-5, 5-5 UFC)

ODDS: Jackson (-178), Rosa (+157)

This has the potential to be either a strange fight or an entertaining grappling match. Of course, that is true of a lot of Rosa bouts, given the unorthodox approach the Bostonian brings to the cage. Rosa is passive by default, typically focusing on low-power range striking centered around a kicking game that attempts to keep his opponents at bay. If an opponent manages to close the distance on Rosa—which usually happens—“Boston Strong” then attempts to rely on his slick grappling skills to try and find a submission. With such a weird style, it feels about right that Rosa has alternated wins and losses throughout his career, picking up right where he left off after a career-threatening neck injury in 2018. However, it does feel like Rosa is nearing the point of diminishing returns. If nothing else, the wins feel narrower and the losses feel worse, in part due to opponents being better able to crack Rosa on the feet before he can get out of the way. The UFC has done well in recent years to throw Rosa in against other talented grapplers, and that is certainly the case here.

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Jackson had an unmemorable first run in the UFC from 2014 to 2016 but battled his way back to the Octagon and made the most of a late-notice spot against Mirsad Bektic in September 2020. After handily getting outwrestled by Bektic for most of the fight, Jackson managed to clamp on a guillotine choke and score the shocking submission win in the third round. Ilia Topuria then handled the Fortis MMA rep without much issue, but in the current version of the UFC, Jackson’s improved striking to supplement his grappling skills should serve him well as a solid veteran test. The grappling exchanges could be relatively even, but this looks like Jackson’s fight to lose, if only because he is the much more effective striker and should be pressing the action in that phase of the game; and if Rosa’s recent fights are any indication, Jackson should also find some big moments at some point along the way. The pick is Jackson via decision.

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