Woodley vs Burns – what you need to know

A Fierce contest

The UFC APEX In Las Vegas will host its first UFC^® Fight Night Event to close out the month of May in style.

In the main event Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley will enter his first bout since his loss to Kamaru Usman in March last year. Despite this loss, Woodley boasts an outstanding fight history.  “The Chosen One” has defeated many of the greatest in the welterweight division with a combination of submission and powerful knock-out victories. He’ll be taking on promising Gilbert ” Durinho” Burns who Is coming off three straight wins since moving up to welterweight. Woodley’s speed and ability to pressure his opponent with dominating wrestling can be expected of him on Saturday. This all-rounder will be focused to make his highly anticipated return a showstopper on a quest for another shot at the title.

Burns’ readiness to keep up victory momentum could work to his advantage, following his recent knock-out victory over Demian Maia at UFC Brasilia In March.  A win against Woodley could see Burns become a real contender in the division despite only moving to welterweight 10 months ago.  His presence in the Octagon is gaining traction and Woodley can expect a very tough opponent. “Durinho” has incredible knockout power and almost always gets the takedown to his advantage. Woodley will need to be weary of Burns’ explosive leg techniques as “Durinho” will be bringing his equal strength in wrestling.

There is no doubt both athletes bring outstanding power and a fierce contest can be expected for this thrilling main event.

Co-Main power

In the weekend’s co-main event, it’s 12 ranked against 13 in the heavyweight bout as Blagoy “Baga” Ivanov takes on Augusto Sakai. Baga will be targeting a return to winning ways, whilst Sakai has a 5 fight win streak and will be looking to extend his impressive run after his knockout against Marcin Tybura last September.

Ivanov has the edge over Sakai with his superior grappling skills.  He is also more than capable of landing power strikes with great effect. However, Sakai typically lands more significant strikes compared to Ivanov, so this contest is evenly matched and set to be very competitive.

Sister Act

Heading up the prelims comes a fascinating bout as Katlyn “Blonde Fighter” Chookagian takes on Antonina “La Pantera” Shevchenko. It will be the second time in a matter of months that Chookagian takes on a Shevchenko, having lost to her sister in February, and will be even more determined to level the playing field with Antonina.

Before her TKO loss to Valentina, the “Blonde Fighter” had previously won back to back fights against Jennifer Maia and Joanne Calderwood respectively, showing impressive resilience in both.

La Pantera” Is considerably less experienced In the Octagon having amassed a 2-1 record since graduating from Dana White’s Contender Series. However, she is more accomplished in the takedown department than her opponent and will be looking to capitalise on this aspect. Antonina will look to make her mark in the division and bids to make it a double for the Shevchenko sisters over the American.

Main Card

Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley vs. Gilbert“Durinho” Burns

Blagoy “Baga” Ivanov vs. Augusto Sakai

Billy Quarantillo vs. Spike “The Alpha Ginger” Carlyle

Roosevelt “The Predator” Roberts vs. Brok“Chata Tuska” Weaver

Mackenzie Dern vs. Hannah “Shockwave” Cifers

Prelims

Katlyn “Blonde Fighter” Chookagian vs. Antonina“La Pantera” Shevchenko

Daniel Rodriguez vs. Gabriel Green

Jamahal “Sweet Dreams” Hill vs. Klidson “White Bear” Abreu

Tim Elliott vs. Brandon “Raw Dawg” Royval

Louis “Da Last Samurai” Smolka vs. Casey Kenney

Chris “El Guapo” Gutierrez vs. Vince “Vandetta” Morales