[autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag] and [autotag]Tabatha Ricci[/autotag] meet Saturday in the co-main event of UFC on ESPN 62 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
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Angela Hill vs. Tabatha Ricci UFC on ESPN 62 preview
Hill (17-13 MMA, 10-7 UFC) is one win away from matching her best streak since 2020 when she won three straight. Over the years, “Overkill” has struggled to maintain momentum with mixed results, but enters this contest as a winner of back-to-back fights. In November, she won a unanimous decision over Denise Gomes. In May, Hill picked up her first career submission against Luana Pinheiro. … Ricci (10-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) enters on a win, albeit a controversial split decision against Tecia Pennington in May. The fight prior was also a split decision, but two judges sided with Lupita Godinez, snapping a four-fight winning streak.
Angela Hill vs. Tabatha Ricci UFC on ESPN 62 expert pick, prediction
The co-main event in Las Vegas features a top 15 attraction at women’s strawweight between Hill and Ricci.
Although this appears to be a potential crossroads fight at first glance, Hill – despite being nearly 40 – is arguably fighting at her career best right now.
Whereas Ricci, who received an absolute gift from the judges in her last outing opposite Tecia Pennington, could quietly be going through some stylistic growing pains as a fighter who has been altering her style on the feet for her past few fights.
However, in Ricci’s defense, she did show some improvements and the ability to have a strong final frame (something that will likely come in handy against Hill).
I believe that Hill should still be the superior striker and possesses solid enough grappling defense and scrambling to avoid being finished or controlled for prolonged periods. That said, I don’t trust the judges (who have notoriously given “Overkill” the short end of the stick) to reward the cleaner striker over the more eye-catching one.
So, even though I’m anointing Hill as the more effective fighter on paper, I’m basically fading logic and my understanding of the scoring criteria due to my history of being on the wrong end of fights that scream close decision.
The official pick is for Ricci to pick up another controversial split-decision win.
Angela Hill vs. Tabatha Ricci UFC on ESPN 62 odds
Despite the oddsmakers opening the Brazilian as the favorite, public money has pushed this contest to practically pick’em odds, listing Ricci -114 and Hill -106 via FanDuel.
Angela Hill vs. Tabatha Ricci UFC on ESPN 62 start time, how to watch
As the co-main event, Hill and Ricci are expected to walk out to the cage at approximately 12:05 a.m. ET. The fight will air on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 62.