The UFC 281 early prelim card features five bouts, all of which will be previewed in this post. It will feature former women’s strawweight title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz (pictured above). It will also see rising lightweight prospect, Ottman Azaitar put his undefeated record on the line. All win probabilities are based on a fighter’s CC Rating and their place in the CC Rankings.

Carlos Ulberg vs. Nicolae Negumereanu (Men’s Light Heavyweight)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Both of these men have high hopes of climbing higher in the ranks of this division. And both are riding win streaks with impressive finishes their last time out. Now that their journeys have reached each other, they will get really tested. Both have faced a relatively light schedule thus far, with both sporting low average opponent ratings. Negumereanu is the more prolific finisher, but Ulberg a little more technically sound. Ulberg’s struggled with cardio in the past, but with Negumereanu’s apparent struggles on the scale, he may too have an issue if this gets to the later rounds. Expect a close one, but for Ulberg to kick things off nicely for the deep slate of Team City Kickboxing fighters going out there tonight.

Editor’s Pick: Ulberg

Julio Arce vs. Montel Jackson (Men’s Bantamweight)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Arce has battled time and a lot of inconsistency as of late. He’s also benefitted from a relatively easy schedule for a fighter of his rating. His early career performance keeps his CC rating hanging just around the top 15, but that won’t be the case for much longer if he can’t string together some wins. Jackson is 5-2 in the UFC and has won two straight. If he is, in fact, coming into his prime, this would be a statement win over a veteran like Arce. He does have to watch out for Arce’s grappling, as Arce is the greater submission threat.

Editor’s Pick: Jackson

Mike Trizano vs. Seung Woo Choi (Men’s Featherweight)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: It’s been a rough stretch for Trizano. He’s now loser in two straight fights, the most recent of which saw him get finished. Now, he’s missed weight by almost two pounds for this one. Four years prior, he was The Ultimate Fighter’s Season 27 lightweight champion with a lot of promise. Now, he’s fighting for his place in a new weight class and possibly the promotion altogether. Choi also struggles with consistency, starting out with two losses in the UFC, followed by three straight wins, then again by two straight losses, which is where he now finds himself. He’s got enough power in his hands to take this away from Trizano, who typically struggles with finishes. That could be enough to get him back on track and onto a win streak.

Editor’s Pick: Choi

Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Silvana Gomez Juarez (Women’s Strawweight)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Kowalkiewicz finally snapped a five-fight losing streak her last time out, sending Felice Herrig into retirement with a second round submission. Few fighters come into the cage with as much joy and enthusiasm as Kowalkiewicz. She likely will never get back to a level where she’s contending for a title again, but she proved that after some needed time off, she still has something to offer the division. Gomez Juarez, on the other hand, is relatively new to the promotion, despite being as old as the veteran Kowalkiewicz. Her power rivals most others in the division. Her flaw has typically been overextending herself trying to get the KO and getting finished herself (of her four losses, she’s been finished three times). This should be something a veteran like Kowalkiewicz, who’s fought at the highest levels in the sport, should be able to recognize with ease.

Editor’s Pick: Kowalkiewicz

Ottman Azaitar vs. Matt Frevola (Men’s Lightweight)

Subjective Spin on Objective Reality: Azaitar comes in with all the hype in the world. He was the undefeated Brave CF lightweight champion. In his two fights in the UFC, he’s delivered two first round KOs and two Performance of the Night bonuses. All but one of his pro wins have come by finish. Frevola has proved susceptible to being finished, as two of his three losses have seen him get KO’d. With an even 3-3-1 record in the UFC, this can be a statement win by derailing the hype train. However, he hasn’t shown the level of defense needed to deter a force like Azaitar.

Editor’s Pick: Azaitar

Photo Credit: Sportsnet