The future of the 170lb weight class is in full force.
Jesus, I love you, but it’s time to move on over because Easter has concluded, and the UFC schedule is returning to our screens this weekend!
Live from the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, Dana White and the Ultimate Fighting Championship are about to pull up on the Show-Me-State, and as the resident BetUS MMA nerd, I’m going to make sure you don’t miss the biggest fights and sleeper matchups taking place on Saturday evening!
And that’s a wrap! 🎬
Media day is complete & we’re one step closer to #UFCKansasCity! pic.twitter.com/zGZ0PUZ21D
— UFC (@ufc) April 24, 2025
UFC Kansas City Main Event: Garry vs. Prates
Where do I start with this banger of a main event? For the best part of 2025, UFC matchmakers have underwhelmed the MMA community with mediocre matchmaking for UFC Fight Night events, but this one right here, nah, it’s a bout that every fan can get behind!
The future of the 170 lb weight class is in full force. Ian Machado Garry, with an 8-1 UFC record (15-1 pro-MMA), has gone just one way since his promotional debut in 2021… Up! The cocky and confident Irishman is probably the best hope of another UFC champion of Irish descent since Conor McGregor, and with victories over the likes of Michael Page and Geoff Neal, he’s stamped his position as a top-ranked welterweight at the tender age of just 27!
Why did the Ian Garry hype die down?pic.twitter.com/Kzkug08QKB
— MMA On Point (@OnPointMMA) April 22, 2025
Opposite Garry, however, might be the most fearsome finisher he’s faced to date. Introducing Carlos ‘The Nightmare’ Prates, a relatively new addition to the 170 lb weight class, boasting a 4-0 UFC record with four straight knockout victories inside the first or second round.
The Nightmare is a fitting moniker for Prates because that’s exactly what he’s been for most of his professional MMA career. This guy is riding an 11-fight win streak, 10 of which came by knockout… he’s a savage on the feet, even though he openly smokes cigarettes and chugs whiskey like he’s downing a bottle of water.
Does Prates smoke another opponent in the cage and then proceed to smoke a pack of darts post-fight? Or will Garry, who’s only loss came against the formidable Shavkat Rakhmonov, return to winning ways and crush the unbeaten UFC streak of the Fighting Nerd’s gym competitors (Caio Borralho, Mauricio Ruffy, and Jean Silva) that the Brazilian will be defending on Saturday?
If you give any credibility to UFC oddsmakers, Garry is a slight favorite in our book (-130), thus proving that predicting this fight is more challenging than it seems!
Carlos Prates is Knocking OUT Ian Garry this week
Let’s get it 👓 pic.twitter.com/bI2r6NtSpL
— Eternal MMA (@lefthook25) April 22, 2025
A Chinese Problem: Mingyang Zhang!
Aged 36, Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith is a true UFC veteran. The Texan native has 24 UFC appearances on his pro record, clashes with some of the most recognisable names in the sport, and once challenged Jon Jones for the 205lb title.
Unfortunately, he’s almost reached a negative UFC record (13-11), has been finished by knockout or submission on six occasions, and has lost 5 of his previous 7 bouts.
When Smith took the part-time job on the UFC broadcast team, it might have been a sign that his retirement is closer than we thought. Now, with nothing more than a stepping-stone worthy name, the UFC has booked him against a serious up-and-comer looking to snatch any limelight he has left in the light heavyweight division.
He’s a PUNISHER in that Octagon 👊
Zhang Mingyang looks to dominate once again Saturday at #UFCKansasCity! pic.twitter.com/NLNcerF1Oc
— UFC (@ufc) April 21, 2025
In step, Mingyang Zhang. Despite having just two UFC fights to his name, this Chinese menace will step into a co-main event position in Missouri, hoping to etch his twelfth straight win inside the distance.
Zhang has been on a tear since 2020, and while many doubted his finishing capabilities at an elite level, he shut those UFC rumors down after claiming back-to-back round one knockout successes under the UFC banner in 2024.
Given Zhang’s -450 price tag and Smith’s durability issues don’t be surprised if the Chinaman walks out of Kansas City with another highlight reel knockout win!
Did you know all of Zhang Mingyang’s wins (18) have come by first round finish🤯
He’s fighting again this weekend🇨🇳 pic.twitter.com/4wQJLj86Sa
— Clipped Fighting (@ClippedFighting) April 22, 2025
Ikram Aliskerov Is a Problem!
When you’ve fought in 17 pro-MMA bouts and hold a 15-2 record, some respect has to be put on your name, especially when those loan losses came against a former champion in Robert Whittaker and the current No.1 contender, Khamzat Chimaev.
That’s the story of Russia’s Ikram Aliskerov thus far, but instead of focusing on the losses, how far can he actually go in the UFC?
Honestly, outside of the top-15 rankings, I am not surprised that this savage blitzes through everyone the UFC puts in front of him. The lightning-quick reactions and striking speed of Aliskerov will be a problem for most, especially an aging Andre Muniz, whom he’s facing this weekend.
HEAVY HITTER 👊@Ikram_Aliskerov is looking at the middleweight rankings with a win! 👏
[ #UFCKansasCity | SAT LIVE 9pmET on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/Zg4XIWxmRU— UFC (@ufc) April 23, 2025
As highlighted, taking out Aliskerov has required elite talents to date. Although Muniz has some credible wins to date, the aging Brazilian has six losses on his record, all of which came by knockout or submission.
A lack of durability is the last thing you want versus a true finisher like Aliskerov, but it’s MMA, and anything can happen. One guarantee is that this fight will be violent, and could be the sleeper Fight of the Night when two renowned finishers go head-to-head.
What an absolute beast 🔥👊🏼
Round 1 Kimura finish for Ikram Aliskerov#DWCS8 pic.twitter.com/zp76ZtBzpO
— 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜 🇵🇸 (@stiopic_) September 14, 2022
Elsewhere on the UFC Kansas City Card
The return of Giga Chikadze can’t be overlooked, UFC news! He’ll be up against the 3-fight win streak of David Onama, and if the potential for another Giga-kick finish doesn’t excite you, nothing will.
Two UFC veterans, Randy Brown and Nicolas Dalby, are guaranteed to provide a clash of octagon expertise. Will the latter shock the betting community and cash as an underdog yet again?
The in-cage maniac Michel Pereira is back in action… Need I say more? If you know, you know, but if you also know about the kickboxing prowess of Abus Magomedov, you’ll be expecting an all-out war in this one!
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