Preview: UFC 294 Prelims

Lightweights

Anshul Jubli (7-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Mike Breeden (10-6, 0-3 UFC)

ODDS: Jubli (-305), Breeden (+245)

Jubli is certainly a prospect to watch, as he has the potential to become the UFC’s first star out of India. “King of Lions” was an afterthought in the lightweight bracket of the Road to UFC tournament in 2022, particularly after a botched weight cut by his opponent led him to get a bye to the semifinals. Once Jubli made it to the cage, he impressed greatly in showing a crafty pressure striking game to beat Kyung Pyo Kim, then breaking out his wrestling to neutralize knockout artist Jeka Saragih and win the tournament. At the very least, Jubli looks to have the chops to be the first Indian-born fighter to stick in the UFC—Bharat Khandare had an unmemorable one-fight run—and that path starts here. Breeden has a solid enough approach of his own built around pressure, but his physical disadvantages have prevented him from finding a foothold in the UFC. He is a slow-footed fighter who used mixed martial arts to work his way into shape, and he has not had the durability to charge through the offense of high-powered opponents. Jubli might not be able to clear the bar of blowing Breeden out of the water—if he does, that is another promising sign going forward—but the Indian fighter looks much more well-equipped to come out ahead if this turns into a three-round scrap. The pick is Jubli via decision.

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