UFC Fight Night 224 – Page 14 – Syndication Server

UFC Fight Night 224 predictions: Who’s picking Angela Hill to upset Mackenzie Dern?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC Fight Night 224 main card, featuring Mackenzie Dern vs. Angela Hill.

	Dern vs. Hill	Hernandez vs. Shahbazyan	Ducote vs. Godinez	Buckley vs. Fialho	Ferreira vs. Johnson
MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 73-51	Dern (79%)	Hernandez (54%)	Godinez (74%)	Buckley (69%)	Johnson (52%)
Matt Erickson @MattE 81-43	Dern	Hernandez	Godinez	Buckley	Ferreira
Simon Samano @SJSamano 78-46	Dern	Shahbazyan	Ducote	Buckley	Ferreira
Matthew Wells @MrMWells 77-47	Dern	Shahbazyan	Godinez	Buckley	Ferreira
George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 74-50	Dern	Hernandez	Godinez	Buckley	Johnson
Nolan King @mma_kings 74-50	Dern	Hernandez	Ducote	Buckley	Ferreira
Mike Bohn @MikeBohn 72-52 2014 Champion	Dern	Shahbazyan	Godinez	Buckley	Ferreira
Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway -70-54 2018, 2022 Champion	Dern	Shahbazyan	Godinez	Buckley	Ferreira
Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 68-56	Dern	Shahbazyan	Godinez	Buckley	Ferreira
Danny Segura @dannyseguratv 68-56	Hill	Shahbazyan	Godinez	Buckley	Johnson
Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 68-56	Dern	Shahbazyan	Ducote	Buckley	Johnson
Brian Garcia @thegoze 65-59 2017 Champion	Dern	Shahbazyan	Ducote	Buckley	Ferreira

The UFC is back in its “Sin City” home base with a slightly delayed women’s strawweight bout at the top of the card.

UFC Fight Night 224 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) takes on [autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag] (15-12 MMA, 10-12 UFC) in a women’s 115-pound matchup that was supposed to take place this past week at UFC on ABC 4 until it was pulled to headline this card. Jiu-jitsu ace Dern nearly is a 2-1 favorite at most sportsbooks, and she’s got a big lead in the picks from our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers, who have it as a blowout for her at 10-1.

In the co-feature, [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] (10-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) meets [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) in a middleweight matchup. Hernandez is a big favorite at nearly 3-1, but only three of our staff members are picking him and have Shahbazyan in an upset at 8-3.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Emily Ducote[/autotag] (12-7 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and [autotag]Loopy Godinez[/autotag] (9-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) fight at a 120-pound contract weight, granted due to the short notice for Godinez, who stepped in for Polyana Viana. Godinez is a mild favorite, and she’s got a 7-4 lead in the picks.

[autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC) is a 2-1 favorite at middleweight against [autotag]Andre Fialho[/autotag] (16-6 MMA, 2-3 UFC), and he’s also our only unanimous pick on the main card at 11-0.

And to open the main card at lightweight, [autotag]Michael Johnson[/autotag] (21-18 MMA, 13-14 UFC) will try to get back to .500 in the UFC when he takes on [autotag]Diego Ferreira[/autotag] (17-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC). Ferreira is a -150 favorite and has a big 8-3 lead from our pickers.

In the MMA Junkie consensus picks, Dern (79 percent), Hernandez (54 percent), Godinez (74 percent), Buckley (69 percent) and Johnson (52 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 224.

UFC Fight Night 224 full card faceoff highlights, photo gallery from Las Vegas

Official weigh-ins for UFC Fight Night 224 are complete following Friday’s session. Check out our photo gallery and faceoff highlights from Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS – The UFC Fight Night 224 fight card now is official following Friday’s weigh-in session.

Saturday’s event, which takes place at UFC Apex, is headlined by a strawweight clash between Mackenzie Dern (12-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) and Angela Hill (15-12 MMA, 10-12 UFC). The entire card airs on ESPN+ beginning at 4 p.m. ET.

Check out the faceoff highlights in the video above and a photo gallery below.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 224.

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UFC Fight Night 224 faceoff: Mackenzie Dern, Angela Hill get close before main event

Mackenzie Dern and Angela Hill crossed paths for the final time ahead of the UFC Fight Night 224 main event.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] and [autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag] crossed paths for the final time on Friday ahead of the UFC Fight Night 224 main event.

After making weight for Saturday’s strawweight headliner at the UFC Apex, which streams on ESPN+, Dern (12-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) and Hill (15-12 MMA, 10-12 UFC) engaged in their first and final staredown before stepping into the octagon for five scheduled rounds.

Mackenzie Dern and Angela Hill got a close look at each other during the #UFCVegas73 main event faceoff. 👀

Full story: https://t.co/sbjF7C8CTq pic.twitter.com/KCu4fyl302

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) May 19, 2023

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Check out the video above to see Dern and Hill face off for UFC Fight Night 224.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 224.

UFC Fight Night 224 weigh-in results: Two prelim fighters miss weight

Check out the results from the official UFC Fight Night 224 fighter weigh-ins in Las Vegas, featuring Mackenzie Dern vs. Angela Hill.

LAS VEGAS – MMA Junkie was on scene and reporting live from Friday’s official UFC Fight Night 224 fighter weigh-ins.

The weigh-ins took place at the UFC host hotel in Las Vegas. The UFC Apex hosts Saturday’s card, which streams entirely on ESPN+.

Among those weighing in were Mackenzie Dern (12-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) and Angela Hill (15-12 MMA, 10-12 UFC), who meet in the women’s strawweight main event.

OFFICIAL: Mackenzie Dern and Angela Hill make weight for Saturday’s #UFCVegas73 main event 💪

Full coverage: https://t.co/uvRAbu7Ajs pic.twitter.com/s7DCkFet8a

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) May 19, 2023

There were a pair of issues on the scale stemming from the preliminary portion of the card. Vanessa Demopoulos was 1.5 pounds heavy for her strawweight bout vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz, while Orion Cosce missed weight for the second consecutive bout when he registered 1.5 pounds over the welterweight limit for his bout against Gilbert Urbina.

Both athletes were fined 20 percent of their purse for the misses, but the matchups remain in tact and the 12-bout card continues as planned.

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The full UFC Fight Night 224 weigh-in results include:

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)

Mackenzie Dern (115) vs. Angela Hill (114.5)
Anthony Hernandez (186) vs. Edmen Shahbazyan (185.5)
Emily Ducote (119.5) vs. Loopy Godinez (119.5) – 120-pound catchweight bout
Joaquin Buckley (170.5) vs. Andre Fialho (169.5)
Diego Ferreira (154.5) vs. Michael Johnson (155)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET)

Viacheslav Borshchev (154.5) vs. Hayisaer Maheshate (155.5)
Vanessa Demopoulos (117.5)* vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (115.5)
Orion Cosce (172.5)** vs. Gilbert Urbina (170)
Ilir Latifi (249.5) vs. Rodrigo Nascimento (264.5)
Nick Fiore (154) vs. Chase Hooper (156)
Victoria Leonardo (124.5) vs. Natalia Silva (124.5)
Themba Gorimbo (170) vs. Takashi Sato (170.5)

* Demopoulos missed strawweight limit by 1.5 pounds; fined 20 percent of purse
** Cosce missed welterweight limit by 1.5 pounds; fined 20 percent of purse

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 224.

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Photos: UFC Fight Night 224 weigh-ins and faceoffs

Check out these photos of the UFC Fight Night 224 official weigh-ins and faceoffs in Las Vegas.

Check out these photos of the UFC Fight Night 224 official weigh-ins and faceoffs at the UFC host hotel in Las Vegas. (Photos by Ken Hathaway, MMA Junkie)

Nov 24, 2019; Orchard Park, NY, USA; General view of the Buffalo Bills Salute to Service logo on a flag prior to the game against the Denver Broncos at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 10, 2017; Orchard Park, NY, USA; General view of a Buffalo Bills logo used as a pre-game prop prior to the game against the New York Jets at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

UFC Fight Night 224 video: Mackenzie Dern, Angela Hill make weight for main event

Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 224 headliner is official after Mackenzie Dern and Angela Hill made weight for their strawweight showdown.

LAS VEGAS – The final UFC main event of May is official after [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] and [autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag] made weight for UFC Fight Night 224.

Dern (12-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) and Hill (15-12 MMA, 10-12 UFC) will both seek their first headlining victory Saturday when they meet in a key strawweight clash at the UFC Apex. The card streams on ESPN+.

Before they step on the scale, though, the pair had to make weight. They did so Friday morning, with Dern tipping the scale at 115 pounds while Hill registered at 114.5.

Check out the video above to see both women make weight for UFC Fight Night 224.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 224.

Viacheslav Borshchev not feeling pressure despite ‘clear’ need to win at UFC Fight Night 224

After giving up 20 takedowns in his past two losses, Viacheslav Borshchev knows he must do something different at UFC Fight Night 224.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Viacheslav Borshchev[/autotag] is not ignorant to the realities of his situation ahead of UFC Fight Night 224, but he’s not letting it damper his spirits.

Borshchev (6-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC) is in a positive mood ahead of Saturday’s lightweight showdown with Hayisaer Maheshate (7-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC), which takes place at the UFC Apex and streams on ESPN+.

After opening his UFC tenure in January 2022 with a first-round knockout win, Borshchev has since lost back-to-back fights. He’s now on the final fight of his first contract with the promotion, and knows he needs to perform to extend his stay.

“If you talk about the business part yes, I must (win),” Borshchev told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 224 media day. “It’s clear because I need a new contract. I want to earn more money. I need a bonus. It makes sense. But it’s not pressure for me. I’m enjoying my life right now.”

Borshchev’s past two defeats against Mike Davis and Marc Diakiese were a product of inferior grappling and defensive wrestling. He was taken down a combined 20 times in the two bouts, and gave up more than 20 minutes of control time to his opponents out of a possible 30 minutes overall.

UFC Fight Night 224 will mark just the 10th professional fight for the 31-year-old, who crossed over to MMA from the world of kickboxing. He admits it’s been a hard adjustment on the biggest stage the sport has to offer, but Borshchev is relishing his journey rather than being frustrated by the difficult moments.

“It’s challenging but it’s cool,” Borshchev said. “Not many people have such a beautiful opportunity. I’m learning from the best right away. It’s kind of cool. I’m enjoying it.

“In kickboxing that’s what happened to me. I stopped being excited about new stuff. But in MMA it’s always something new, and it’s so cool. Even in striking it’s something new.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 224.

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UFC’s Anthony Hernandez discusses momentum of winning streak ahead of return vs. Edmen Shahbazyan

Anthony Hernandez spoke to the media ahead of his bout against Edmen Shahbazyan at Satuday’s UFC Fight Night 224.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] returns to the cage this Saturday in a pivotal career moment.

Hernandez (10-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) takes on Edmen Shahbazyan in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 224,which goes down at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+. The 29-year-old enters the fight against Shahbazyan (12-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) on a three-fight wining streak that includes submission wins over Rodolfo Vieira and Marc-André Barriault.

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On Wednesday afternoon, Hernandez spoke to MMA Junkie and other media about his current career momentum, what the matchup of Shahbazyan entails, and much more.

You can check out Hernandez’s scrum in the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 224.

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UFC Fight Night 224 breakdown: How smaller cage affects Mackenzie Dern-Angela Hill matchup

MMA Junkie fight analyst Dan Tom takes a closer look at the UFC Fight Night 224 main event between Mackenzie Dern and Angela Hill.

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the UFC’s top bouts. Today, we look at the main event for UFC Fight Night 224.

UFC Fight Night 224 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.

Andre Fialho criticizes UFC Fight Night 224 opponent Joaquin Buckley’s ‘not very smart’ fight IQ

Andrea Fialho thinks his UFC Fight Night 224 opponent Joaquin Buckley has all of the physical tools, but not the mental approached needed.

LAS VEGAS – UFC welterweight [autotag]Andre Fialho[/autotag] believes his upcoming opponent is a physical problem inside the cage, but his mental approach hinders his success.

On the main card of UFC Fight Night 224, which takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex, Fialho (16-6 MMA, 2-3 UFC) takes on Joaquin Buckley, a fighter with a number of impressive highlight-reel finishes. It’s a spot where both fighters need to get their hand raised to halt their losing skids.

Fialho acknowledges Buckley (15-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC) is one to watch out for, but explained he believes his opponent lacks something perhaps more important than physical threats, while also giving an honest assessment of his own issues.

“He’s very dangerous, very explosive, great athlete – but he’s not very smart when fighting,” Fialho told reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “He doesn’t have great IQ. I can say I haven’t used my IQ in fight as well, but I have been working on my patience a lot. I’m going to be patient this fight, and I want to use my IQ because I believe I’m a very smart fighter, but I haven’t been able to show you in the cage.”

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Both fighters are entering the octagon on two-fight skids to close out their 2022 campaigns; Fialho was stopped by Jake Matthews and Muslim Salikhov, while Buckley was finished by Chris Curtis and lost a decision to Nassourdine Imavov. On a good note, though, both fighters were on winning streaks before the bumps in the road. Fialho believes a few adjustments and mixing up his approach will get him back on track.

“I think I just got overconfident,” Fialho said. “I thought my hands were enough, but as the level gets higher and people study me, they just expect my hands and it’s easier for them to defend and have a gameplan for it. I guess I had some of those weapons already, but I’ve just been working on it more and more.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 224.

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