MMA Preview – Phil Hawes vs Brunno Ferreira at UFC Fight Night 234
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
PHIL HAWES VS BRUNNO FERREIRA FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 234? Saturday 13th January, 2024 - 22:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 234? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Las Vegas (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 234? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Fight Night 234 on? TNT Sports 1
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 234? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
PHIL HAWES VS BRUNNO FERREIRA LOWDOWN
Phil Hawes (12-5) has struggled in the middleweight with a tough run. He is 1-3 in his last four with all three of those losses coming via knockout. Chris Curtis (2021) inflicted the first before he earnt his own TKO over Deron Winn (2022). Unfortunately for him, he ran into two more beasts in the form of Roman Dolidze (2022) and Ikram Aliskerov (2023) who shut the lights off in the first round.
Eight finishes including five knockouts earnt Brunno Ferreira (10-1) an opportunity on the Contender Series against Leon Aliu (2022). He proceeded to put him away in the first round and made it four in-a-row on his UFC debut by smoking Gregory Rodriguez (2023) at UFC 283. He returned in July last year and received a taste of his own medicine getting knocked out in the first-round by Nursulton Ruziboev.
PHIL HAWES VS BRUNNO FERREIRA PREDICTION
It will be interesting to see how Ferreira responds to the first loss and knockout of his career. Hawes is a powerhouse, but the Brazilian will be salivating at the sight of four knockout losses on his record.
They are both very explosive and capable of shutting the lights off. Hawes is the better all-round fighter and more technical. If he mixes in his wrestling to blunt Ferreira’s weapons and keep him on his back, he can grind out a win. However, his defence will have to be perfect as his chin will not hold up.
It has been 10 fights since one of their fights did not end via a knockout and considering Ferreira’s power and Hawes’ chin, we are leaning towards the Brazilian. Considering the odds and skill set, Hawes makes the most sense, but he has no room for error.
Prediction: Ferreira via KO/TKO
Value Bet: Hawes via KO/TKO
