Preview: UFC on ESPN 54 Prelims

Bantamweights

Caolan Loughran (8-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Angel Pacheco (7-2, 0-0 UFC)

ODDS: Loughran (-355), Pacheco (+280)

This bout was clearly matched for action. Pacheco makes his UFC debut as one of the rare fighters to earn a contract Dana White’s Contender Series even after a loss. He and Danny Silva combined for an absolute war that saw Pacheco storm back from adversity in a performance that certainly outstrips most contract winners in recent years. Ireland’s Loughran should be a willing dance partner in terms of potential violence, as “The Don” looks to rebound from a loss in his UFC debut in September. Loughran came to the UFC with a fun if somewhat limited game built around constant pressure and relying on his power to find a finish. It was nice to see the Irishman bring some personality to the proceedings in terms of trash talk ahead of his UFC debut. However, some late card changes forced him into a particularly difficult fight against Taylor Lapilus, who was unsurprisingly able to keep Loughran at bay for the better part of three rounds and expose the Irishman’s issues. Pacheco should be able to get his licks in and make this an entertaining encounter, but Loughran does read as having a lot more horsepower and should be able to rely on his wrestling and grappling to bank some control as needed. The pick is Loughran via decision.

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