The UFC London prelim card features six bouts, the first three of which will be previewed in this post. All win probabilities are based on a fighter’s CC Rating and their place in the CC Rankings.

Muhammad Mokaev vs. Cody Durden (Men’s Flyweight)

Muhammad Mokaev

• Record: 5-0-0
• Division Ranking: 29/36 flyweights
• Vegas Odds: -440 (Favorite)

Cody Durden

• Record: 12-3-1
• Division Ranking: 28/36 flyweights
• Vegas Odds: +340 (Underdog)

Mokaev comes in as one of the most exciting prospects in the UFC. He carries a 5-0 career pro record, on top of his 22-0 amateur MMA record. He has designs on defending his undefeated record all the way to the UFC title in the not so distant future. He’s not the most prolific finisher, with only three pro finish wins and eight amateur stoppages. However, as an MMA product of Dagestan, fighting out of the UK, a submission can come at any time.

Durden has a more mixed record since joining the UFC. He is an even 1-1-1 in three fights. He turned in a unanimous draw in his UFC debut before becoming victim to one of the most spectacular submissions in UFC history, Jimmy Flick’s flying triangle choke. He finally broke into the win column in November with a unanimous decision win over Aoriqileng. Durden does have ten finishes in twelve pro wins.

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Mokaev’s talent and potential is off the charts. Unless he lets the pressure get to him, Durden hasn’t shown he can hang with someone of this caliber.

Editor’s Pick: Mokaev

Cory McKenna vs. Elise Reed (Women’s Flyweight)

Cory McKenna

• Record: 6-1-0
• Division Ranking: 31/42 flyweights
• Vegas Odds: -270 (Favorite)

Elise Reed

• Record: 4-1-0
• Division Ranking: 40/42 flyweights
• Vegas Odds: +220 (Underdog)

Over a year ago, McKenna pulled off an upset of Kay Hansen in her UFC debut. After a cancelled bout with Emily Whitmire, the Welsh fighter McKenna will step back into the octagon in the UK to add another win to her resume. This will be her first fight at flyweight, having decided to make the move up to 125 pounds since her first UFC bout. McKenna scores finishes in half of her wins, with two KOs and one submission through six pro victories thus far.

In just her second pro MMA fight, Reed won the vacant Cage Fury strawweight championship. It was a title she’d then go on to defend twice after that. She came into the UFC on a roll and undefeated. However, her UFC debut was unceremonious as she was finished in the first round by Sijara Eubanks. Eight months later, Reed will look to get back on track to eventually wrap a UFC belt around her waist. Reed, like McKenna, boasts a 50 percent finishing rate.

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: This fight is probably closer than the Vegas oddsmakers and the forecast make it seem. However, McKenna will likely have the size advantage over Reed who’s fought as low as atomweight (105 pounds) in the past. That could be the difference.

Editor’s Pick: McKenna

Timur Valiev vs. [14] Jack Shore (Men’s Bantamweight)

Timur Valiev

• Record: 18-2-0
• Division Ranking: 29/77 bantamweights
• Vegas Odds: -120 (Favorite)

Jack Shore

• Record: 15-0-0
• Division Ranking: 16/77 bantamweights
• Vegas Odds: +100 (Underdog)

Valiev (pictured above) remains an undefeated 2-0 in the UFC, with one no contest. The no contest was a loss that was overturned due to a positive drug test from his opponent. In his last outing, Valiev fought to a decision win over Raoni Barcelos. The scrap earned both men fight of the night honors. That fight also marked his return to bantamweight, having previous fought at both featherweight and bantamweight. Valiev is quite disciplined in the octagon, having not officially lost since February of 2016. He holds seven stoppage wins (five KOs, two submissions) in 18 career wins.

The Welsh fighter Shore (#14 CC, NR UFC) will come in with a bit of a homefield advantage. He also comes in with all the momentum in the world. Shore fought his way to become the Cage Warriors bantamweight champion before setting his sights on the UFC, where he is now a perfect 4-0. Shore is dangerous in the ground game, with over half of his professional wins coming by way of submission.

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: This is an early contender for fight of the night. Both men are very disciplined fighters capable on the ground and the feet. Valiev will have the speed advantage on the feet and can never be counted out on the ground. Despite Shore’s submission prowess and kickboxing ability, Valiev figures to be the more well-rounded fighter.

Editor’s Pick: Valiev

Photo Credit: FirstSportz