The UFC Columbus main card features six bouts, the final three of which will be previewed in this post. The card is headlined by a heavyweight bout between contenders Curtis Blaydes (pictured above left) and Chris Daukaus (pictured above right). All win probabilities are based on a fighter’s CC Rating and their place in the CC Rankings.

You can find the previews for the previous fights HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Matt Brown vs. Bryan Barberena (Men’s Welterweight)

Matt Brown

• Record: 25-18-0
• Division Ranking: 38/78 welterweights
• Vegas Odds: -105 (Underdog)

Bryan Barberena

• Record: 16-8-0
• Division Ranking: 53/78 welterweights
• Vegas Odds: -115 (Favorite)

Brown, the Columbus native will make the walk in his hometown for his 29th UFC fight. While Brown has slowed a little bit, losing five of his last eight, his KO power has not waned. Each of his last three wins have come by way of knockout, including a couple of devastating highlight reel elbows. In his long career, Brown has only netted two wins by decision. He’ll look to take this one out of the judges’ hands as well.

Barberena is also a prolific finisher, with ten KOs to his name. He’s been alternating wins and losses since 2019. With a win over Darian Weeks in his last bout, he’ll want to end that trend tonight. Barberena has seen top level talent having, at one point shared the octagon with Vicente Luque (#1 CC, #4 UFC) and Leon Edwards (#4 CC, #3 UFC). He did lose to both men.

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Brown has a chip on his shoulder. He’s been counted out because of his age, but has shown he can still end fights. Expect to see that power again tonight.

Editor’s Pick: Brown

Joanne Wood vs. [13] Alexa Grasso (Women’s Flyweight)

Joanne Wood

• Record: 15-7-0
• Division Ranking: 27/42 flyweights
• Vegas Odds: +210 (Underdog)

Alexa Grasso

• Record: 13-3-0
• Division Ranking: 14/42 flyweights
• Vegas Odds: -260 (Favorite)

Wood (NR CC, #7 UFC) has seen her career take a slide as of late, losing three of her last four. Each of those came against women who went on to earn the next title shot against Valentina Shevchenko. Now Wood wants to keep her place in the title conversation if possible. She has come tantalizingly close in the past. It has been a while, but Wood does have finishing ability with six in her career.

Grasso (#13 CC, #9 UFC) returns just over a year after her upset win over Maycee Barber (#14 CC, #14 UFC). Grasso is one of the more precise boxers in the UFC. Grasso, a former strawweight, is a little small for the flyweight division, but is undefeated since making the step up. She utilizes her striking to maintain distance and do damage. It’s worked well so far and now she is in a title conversation of her own. Perhaps the next shot is hers depending on how this plays out.

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Wood hasn’t shown much to inspire confidence as of late. Grasso, on the other hand, has looked very sharp against bigger, more dangerous opponents.

Editor’s Pick: Grasso

[4] Curtis Blaydes vs. Chris Daukaus (Men’s Heavyweight)

Curtis Blaydes

• Record: 15-3-0
• Division Ranking: 5/37 heavyweights
• Vegas Odds: -490 (Favorite)

Chris Daukaus

• Record: 12-4-0
• Division Ranking: 18/37 heavyweights
• Vegas Odds: +370 (Underdog)

Blaydes (#4 CC, #4 UFC) is one of the more dynamic heavyweights in the UFC right now. He has a great combination of speed and power. His kryptonite has been his propensity to get caught, as was the case with his bouts against Derrick Lewis (#3 CC, #5 UFC) and champion Francis Ngannou. Blaydes has never lost by decision. He either gets knocked out or wins. It’s a simple strategy. His last bout showed he’s learning that if he stays on the outside, he is very hard to beat. It doesn’t make for excitement, but he can get the job done for sure.

Daukaus (NR CC, #9 UFC) had his five-fight win streak snapped after he was brutally knocked out against the aforementioned Lewis. Prior to that, Daukaus was lining up KOs. In 12 career wins, he carries 11 career knockouts. Daukaus has some heavy hands and likewise knows what he has to do to end the bout.

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Each fighter has their strategy. Blaydes will win if he keeps the fight calm and stays at distance. Daukaus has to be willing to take some punishment in order to deliver strikes of his own. Daukaus will have to recreate the Lewis playbook to beat Blaydes. No doubt Blaydes has learned from that mistake. Expect to see a smarter Blaydes in there tonight.

Editor’s Pick: Blaydes

Photo Credit: UFC