The UFC 277 early prelim card features four bouts, all of which will be previewed in this post. It will be capped by a welterweight bout between rising undefeated prospect Michael Morales and promotional newcomer Adam Fugitt. It also features a women’s bantamweight bout between Ji Yeon Kim (pictured above) and Joselyne Edwards. All win probabilities are based on a fighter’s CC Rating and their place in the CC Rankings.

Orion Cosce vs. Blood Diamond (Men’s Welterweight)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Cosce threw a wrench into this bout by missing weight by 1.5 pounds at the weigh-ins. He claims he used the same methods he’s used his whole career. We’ll have to see how that impacts him in the cage. Diamond, on the other hand, made weight, but is coming off a tough loss by first round submission. Cosce won’t be much of a submission threat, but will always be a threat to keep up his perfect finish rate. Despite the weight miss, Cosce’s MMA experience and finishing ability will likely be too much for the relatively inexperience (albeit exciting) Diamond.

Editor’s Pick: Cosce

Nicolae Negumereanu vs. Ihor Potieria (Men’s Light Heavyweight)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: This fight should offer some fireworks. Negumereanu is winner in his last three. Promotional newcomer Potieria has not lost since 2017. Both are pretty prolific finishers, with the Ukrainian Potieria having more diversity within his finishes. One note on Negumereanu is that two of his three UFC wins have come by split decision. The third was a KO over Ike Villanueva, who was Cage Calculus’ lowest-rated UFC male fighter at the time. It is possible he is not prepared for a finisher of the caliber of Potieria and, if he is going to pull out a win, it might have to be in a way that doesn’t play to his strengths.

Editor’s Pick: Potieria

Ji Yeon Kim vs. Joselyne Edwards (Women’s Bantamweight)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Edwards is another fighter who missed weight for this card, coming in at 137.5 pounds. Edwards is on the bigger end of this division, even having fought at featherweight her last time out, eking out a win over Ramona Pascual. Kim, on the other hand, put on a striking clinic her last time out, yet inexplicably lost on two of the three judges’ scorecards. It was one of the fights that prompted a frank discussion on open scoring. Kim is coming up from her natural flyweight to take this one, as Mariya Agapova dropped out a couple weeks ago, leaving Edwards to fill the void. Despite Edwards’ size advantage, Kim will be the fresher fighter and will have a speed advantage as well. Couple that with the fact that Kim should likely be higher rated had the judges done the right thing her last time out, you should feel alright pulling for the slight underdog, Kim.

Editor’s Pick: Kim

Michael Morales vs. Adam Fugitt (Men’s Welterweight)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Fugitt comes into the UFC having won titles in multiple other promotions prior. He’ll be an exciting prospect to watch under normal circumstances. However, these are not normal circumstances. Morales is an undefeated up-and-comer who is one of the more exciting young names in this division. Further, Fugitt is taking this fight on what’ll amount to eleven days’ notice. Fugitt will have to come out swinging, hoping for a lucky connection. Don’t count on it, though.

Editor’s Pick: Morales

Photo Credit: Sportsbook Wire