Preview: UFC Fight Night 224 Prelims

Flyweights

Jafel Filho (14-3) vs. Daniel Barez (16-5)
Odds: Filho (-125), Barez (+105)

The UFC has done well to fill out its men’s flyweight division, and these two recent signees should have a fun scrap. A contract winner on the Contender Series last year, Filho got a rough first assignment in the UFC this past March; best as a wrestler and grappler, the Brazilian got paired up with uber-prospect Muhammad Mokaev, who figured to be able to dominate Filho at his own game. And while Mokaev did walk away with the third-round finish, Filho acquitted himself well, even clamping on a kneebar that would've seemingly got the tap from 99 percent of the roster. After some shuffling, Filho gets a more winnable fight in his sophomore effort, even though UFC newcomer Barez should be a tough out himself. A well-traveled vet with over a decade of pro experience, Spain's Barez got his own shot on the Contender Series in 2021, losing a nip-tuck decision to Carlos Hernandez; it was the type of showing that suggested Barez would find his way into the UFC with a few more wins, and that's indeed what happened after four first-round finishes. Barez's success as a finisher hasn't translated much against better competition, but he's proven to be a solid and aggressive power puncher with enough offensive wrestling and grappling to mix things up at the regional level, so it's easy to see him separating himself on the feet provided he can neutralize Filho on the mat. But the bet is that Filho can find enough success early with his wrestling to bank time and find his kind of fight - and even if the Brazilian continues his trend of tiring over time, Barez has historically shown much the same flaw. The pick is Filho via decision.

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