Will empty-arena veterans convert experience advantage into wins?
Saturday’s fight card is packed with former Contender Series fighters who are used to fighting in front of very few fans in pivotal bouts. Some even gained that experience at the UFC Apex itself. That experience of fighting in front of only a few people could potentially give 10 fighters on the card a slight advantage.
Nine fighters on Saturday’s card came through the Contender Series, and may feel more comfortable than others when they step out into an empty arena on fight night. But perhaps the fighter with the most interesting arena-based advantage could be a man who hasn’t competed in the Contender Series, or fought at the UFC Apex before.
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Main eventer Burns finished Demian Maia in the co-main event of UFC on ESPN+ 28 in Brasilia, which was the UFC’s first behind-closed-doors event during the COVID-19 pandemic. It means “Durinho” has recent experience of fighting – and winning – in the eerie atmosphere of a big UFC event with no fans in the stands.
In a sport where every minute advantage can be turned to your advantage, that experience could potentially prove crucial. But can Burns and the nine Contender Series veterans turn their empty arena experience to their advantage on Saturday night?
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