UFC Vegas 14: Paul Felder vs Rafael dos Anjos: Preliminary Card: Predictions And Analysis

UFC Vegas 14 takes place this Saturday at the UFC Apex. A lightweight bout between Paul Felder and Rafael dos Anjos will headline the card. ‘RDA’ was initially set to face rising prospect Islam Makhachev. However, after he pulled out, ‘The Irish Dragon’ stepped in on brief notice to take on dos Anjos. 

The rest of the card also features some interesting fights. We take a look at the Preliminary card and offer our predictions and analysis for the same. 

Read: 5 things you didn’t know about Paul Felder 

UFC Vegas 14: Rafael dos Anjos vs Paul Felder: Preliminary card

Don’Tale Mayes Vs Roque Martinez 

Don’Tale Mayes and Roque Martinez kick off the card with a bout at heavyweight. ‘Kong’ made his debut in the promotion on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019. He won his first bout in the first round via TKO. Since then he has succumbed to two losses on the trot. Roque Martinez made his UFC debut in September this year with a loss against Alexander Romanov. He will be looking to bounce back against ‘Kong’. 

Going into the fight ‘Kong’ will have a staggering nine-inch each advantage. This will be favorable for him, as he has secured 57% of his wins via T/KO. Martinez on the other hand has also secured more than half of his wins via T/KO (53%). Given the massive advantage in height and reach, ‘Kong’ should be able to bounce back with a win. 

Prediction:- Don’Tale Mayes via decision

Geraldo de Freitas Jr vs Tony Gravely

Geraldo de Freitas vs Tony Gravely promises to be an exciting bout at bantamweight. ‘The Spartan’ made his UFC debut in February 2019, with a win over Felipe Dias Colares. He then succumbed to a loss against Chris Gutierrez in August 2019.

Gravely on the other hand made his debut on Dana White’s Contender Series with a stoppage win over Ray Rodriguez. Brett Johns then handed him his first defeat in the UFC. Both men will be hoping to bounce back after losing their previous fights. 

‘The Spartan’ has secured 42% of his wins via submission. Tony, on the other hand, has secured an equal number of his wins via T/KO and decision-eight apiece. Going into the fight, the Brazilian fighter will have a significant advantage in height and reach. Given the recent form and the more experience, Gravely should be able to secure the win if he can fend off submission attempts. 

Prediction: Tony Gravely via decision

Randa Markos  vs Kanako Murata 

Randa Markos vs Kanako Murata will take place in the strawweight division. Markos has been in the UFC for over six years now, she is 2-3 in her last five fights. Murata, on the other hand, will be making her debut in the UFC when she takes on a veteran in ‘Quiet Storm’ 

Markos has secured 60% of her wins via decision. Murata has also secured most of her wins via decision (45%). The fight therefore will most likely go the distance. Based on recent form and performances, Murata should be able to secure a debut win in the UFC despite the gap in experience. 

Prediction: Kanako Murata via decision 

Jose Quinonez vs Louis Smolka 

Jose Quinonez will take on Louis Smolka in the bantamweight division. ‘El Teco’ has been in the UFC for six years now. He is 1-2 in his last three fights at 135 pounds. Smolka, on the other hand, made his UFC return with a submission win over Su Mudaerji in November 2018. ‘Da Last Samurai’ is also 1-2 in his last three fights. 

Going into the fight, Quinonez has secured 63% of his wins via decision. Smolka has secured seven wins each via T/KO and submissions (44%). Given his experience and performances in his recent fights, Smolka should be able to secure a win over ‘El Teco’. 

Prediction: Smolka via T/KO

Alex Morono vs Rhys McKee 

Alex Morono vs Rhys McKee takes place in the welterweight division. ‘The Great White’ has been in the UFC for four years now. He is 2-1 in his last three fights in the promotion. ‘Skeletor’ on the other hand made his UFC debut with a loss in July this year against Khamzat Chimaev. 

McKee is a man with serious knockout power in his hands. He has secured 70% of his wins via  T/KO. Morono on the other hand has secured an even number of his wins via T/KO and decisions- five apiece. Given recent form and performances, McKee should be able to secure his first win in the promotion over Morono. 

Prediction: Rhys McKee via T/KO

Ashley Yoder vs Miranda Granger 

Ashley Yoder takes on Miranda Granger in the strawweight division in the UFC. ‘The Spider Monkey’ has been in the UFC for four years now. She is 1-2 in her last three fights. ‘Danger’ on the other hand made her debut in August 2019 with a win over Hannah Goldy. She lost her next fight against Amanda Lemos in December 2019. 

Granger has secured a mind-boggling 71% of her wins via submissions. Yoder on the other hand has secured 57% of her wins via submission. The fight will most likely be decided on the ground. Given recent form, Granger should be able to secure her second win in the UFC. 

Prediction: Miranda Granger via submission 

Brendan Allen vs Sean Strickland 

Brendan Allen and Sean Strickland round out the preliminary card with a catchweight bout. ‘All In’ made his debut on Dana White’s Contender Series with a submission win over Aaron Jeffery. He is currently 4-0 in the UFC, and three of those wins have come via stoppage. Strickland, on the other hand, has been in the UFC for six years now. He is 2-1 in his last three fights. 

Strickland has secured 43% of his wins via T/KO. ‘All In’ on the other hand has secured 53% of his wins via submission. ‘Tarzan’ has a takedown defense accuracy of 81% and therefore it will be hard for Allen to bring the fight to the ground. If the fight remains on the feet Strickland will fare better. Given his experience and recent performances, Strickland should be able to hand Allen his first loss in the promotion. 

Prediction: Sean Strickland via T/KO