Preview: UFC Fight Night 232 Prelims

Lightweights

Nikolas Motta (13-5, 1-2 UFC) vs. Trey Ogden (16-6, 1-2 UFC)

ODDS: Motta (-135), Ogden (+114)

This clear contrast of styles should hopefully result in an engaging fight. Motta was on the UFC radar for years before breaking through with a win on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020, and he figured to be an entertaining mainstay on the roster, owing to a game built around pressure and throwing consistent power. However, with the UFC being content to throw Motta against opponents willing to slug it out, the Brazilian has wound up on the losing end of some entertaining scraps. Motta has a tendency to get caught completely unawares while in the process of throwing his offense and has not shown the durability needed to stage any sort of comeback. That seems to have set a disappointingly low ceiling on Motta’s career going forward, but there should still be wins for him on the UFC roster going forward. That may or may not include Ogden. The 34-year-old Ogden came to the UFC in early 2022 as a finished product—a well-rounded veteran with some solid size for the division who has settled into a neutralizing style. Ogden has proven to be a perennially tough out who manages to slow down his opponents, but those willing to bite down and keep setting a pace, even if the fight winds up ugly, can usually do enough to win rounds. Ogden’s wrestling game is a worry, but given that the American does not appear to be the type of one-shot hitter who can put Motta down cleanly, the read is that the Nova Uniao product can keep his game going for three rounds and win at least two of them. The pick is Motta via decision.

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