Preview: UFC on ESPN 28 ‘Hall vs. Strickland’

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Bantamweights

NR | Kyung Ho Kang (17-8, 6-2 UFC) vs. NR | Rani Yahya (27-10-1, 12-4-1 UFC)

ODDS: Kang (-140), Yahya (+120)

Expect to be entertained here. It says a lot about the state of the bantamweight division that these two talented fighters continue to fly under the radar. Kang, in particular, should get much more shine than he has gotten, as he is an exciting fighter who has quietly been quite successful over the course of his UFC career. Despite his strong performances, he has never found much momentum, as the UFC has been content to bury “Mr. Perfect,” either on the prelims or on odd-timed cards in Asia. Since coming back from his mandatory Korean military service in 2018, Kang has won four of his five bouts and currently rides a three-fight winning streak. Yahya is somehow still just 36 years old, as it feels like the Brazilian has been that age since bursting onto the North American scene over a decade ago. Owing to that long tenure in the sport, Yahya’s game feels a bit anachronistic at this point. He is a submission specialist who, like others before him, falls in love with his striking too much at times, resulting in issues with his style that seem like something more out of 2013.

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At any rate, Yahya is still quite effective for all his foibles, as he has been consistently able to reel off winning streaks over the last decade, both before and after the occasional setback. No matter who takes this, there should at least be some fun ground exchanges. That is obviously the best part of Yahya’s game, and Kang’s aggressive go-anywhere style usually leads to him taking the fight to the mat at one point or another. It is basically up to Kang to survive the early going, and it could be difficult for him to clear that bar. If he can, that essentially determines the fight, as Yahya is now firmly at the point where he tires within 15 minutes; that is before even factoring in the pace Kang can set. Kang has shown enough that he favors those who have beaten Yahya more than the Brazilian’s victims. The pick is Kang via decision.

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