UFC Fight Island 8: Fight Card Summary
The important details ahead of Wednesday’s UFC Fight Island 8 fights
After a riveting showcase on Saturday, the UFC returns this Wednesday with a 9am (ET) start time. Welterweight’s go head to head as Michael Chiesa will face Neil Magny in a five round main event.
We’re going to give you the important details for Wednesday’s main card so you’re up to scratch when the fights are going down.
Michael Chiesa (17-4) vs Neil Magny (24-8) – Welterweight
In their last 5:
Chiesa: WWWLL
Magny: WWWLW
Betting odds:
Chiesa: +115
Magny: -135
Michael Chiesa background: Chiesa comes into Wednesday’s fight as the number eight ranked welterweight in the world. He proved himself a legitimate contender in his last outing as he defeated former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos. Ahead of him in the rankings are descending fighters Damian Maia and Tyrone Woodley. A win on Wednesday could see him target either of these fighters, or leapfrog them to the edge of that top 5.
Chiesa has a strong kickboxing background, however his style is that of a wrestler. The southpaw will look for early takedowns and apply heavy top pressure. His strength and size have proven to be difficult for his opponents to deal with.
Neil Magny background: Both Magny and Chiesa come into this fight in similar positions. Magny, ranked 9th, is also coming off a win against a former champion in Robbie Lawler. Victory over Chiesa would see him at least leapfrog him into 8th, if not higher.
Magny is a long fighter who has a balanced set of skills. He has a good ground game, top and bottom, and is excellent in the clinch. His patience mixed with his use of range often helps him find success. He is seemingly comfortable wherever the fight goes.
Warlley Alves (14-4) vs Mounir Lazzez (10-1) Welterweight
In their last 3:
Alves: LWL
Lazzez: WWW
Betting odds:
Alves: +175
Lazzez: -225
Warlley Alves background: Brazilian Alves has been fighting in the UFC since 2014, and seemed a promising contender after going several fights unbeaten. Including a submission victory over Colby Covington in December 2015. After some up and down form of late, he will be eager to return to the win column. He is also the season 3 Ultimate Fighter winner.
Alves is a former kickboxing champion. This makes his style very kick-orientated. He has displayed fantastic takedown defense, often claiming wins via guillotine in defensive situations.
Mounir Lazzez background: Lazzez made his UFC debut last July as he fought knockout artist Abdul Razak Alhassan to a decision victory. Out of his ten victories, eight have come by way of knockout.
Lazzez is a very technical fighter. His patience and composure allow him to pick shots to the open areas. He does a great job of making use of his Muay Thai, incorporating knees and elbows into his combinations.
Ike Villanueva (16-11) vs Vinicius Moreira (9-4) – Light Heavyweight
In their last 3:
Villanueva: LLW
Moreira: LLL
Betting odds:
Villanueva: -145
Moreira: +115
Ike Villanueva background: Villanueva got off to a poor start to life in the UFC. Back to back KO/TKO losses over Chase Sherman and Jordan Wright leave him in a difficult spot. Wednesday’s fight will be a must win for the American.
Ike is a boxer who waits and attacks in flurries of punches. He undoubtedly has knockout power, as he went on a four fight KO spree in his fights before the UFC.
Vinicius Moreira background: Moreira is also in a similar position to his opponent in terms of poor UFC starts. He is 0-3 in the UFC. Moreira was awarded his UFC contract after a submission win on Dana White’s contender series. However he has since been finished in his previous three (2 KO, 1 submission), most recently being submitted by Paul Craig in September 2019.
Moreira’s style is solely that of Brazilain Jiu Jitsu.8 of his 9 wins coming by submission. He looks to get fights to the mat quickly and display his array of fantastic submission skills.
Roxanne Modafferi (25-18) vs Viviane Araujo (9-2) – Women’s Flyweight
In their last 3:
Modafferi: WLW
Araujo: WLW
Betting odds:
Modafferi: +260
Araujo: -345
Roxanne Modafferi background: Modafferi has had an up and down career in the UFC since fighting for the UFC women’s flyweight title back in December 2017. Despite a lengthy career, Modafferi is still fighting top level opponents. Her recent notable wins include that of highly regarded prospect Maycee Barber last January.
Roxanne is a well balanced fighter who likes to strike in volume. She has a very proficient ground game with excellent BJJ skills.
Viviane Araujo background: Araujo has been a promising addition to the women’s flyweight division. She has gone 3-1 in the UFC since her debut in May 2019, where she got a KO victory over Talita Bernardo. Currently ranked 9th, she will look to continue her ascent up the rankings over veteran Modafferi.
The Brazilian is a kickboxer, who displays great speed in her striking. She is often very active in her fights and uses a lot of movement to set up her kicks and punches.
Matthew Schnell (14-5) vs Tyson Nam (20-11) – Flyweight
In their last 3:
Schnell: LWW
Nam: WWL
Betting odds:
Schnell: +105
Nam : -130
Matthew Schnell background: Schnell’s four fight win streak came to an end as he lost to Alexandre Pantoja in December 2019. The American now sits at number 9 ranked. After a year out, a win over Nam is crucial to prove he is still a threat to the flyweight title.
Schnell’s success has mainly come by way of submission. His quick transitions have led him to eight submission victories. However the American still has plenty of confidence in his hands and has caused problems on the feet for the division’s best strikers.
Tyson Nam background: Despite a rocky start to his UFC career, Nam has bounced back well. Starting with back-to-back losses against Sergio Pettis and Kai-Kara France, he has gone on to get two consecutive KO wins. His recent form has seen him move to 13th in the Flyweight rankings. A win on Wednesday would hugely jump him in the rankings.
Nam is a patient striker who possesses a lot of punching power. His active moment helps him find angles for significant strikes.
Lerone Murphy (9-0-1) vs Douglas Silva de Andrade (26-3) – Featherweight
In their last 3:
Murphy: WDW
Silva de Andrade: WLW
Betting odds:
Murphy: -275
Silva de Andrade: +215
Lerone Murphy background: Murphy is an exciting undefeated prospect from England. Making his UFC debut in September 2019, he was held to a draw against Zubaira Tukhugov. He then went on to get an impressive first round KO of Ricardo Ramos. 6 of his 9 wins come by knockout.
Murphy is an excellent boxer, with great timing and patience. His boxing combinations carry a lot of power that can finish the fight. He also has great head movement and timing.
Douglas Silva de Andrade background: Silva de Andrade faced his first professional loss in his UFC debut, as Zubaira Tukhugov claimed a decision victory in 2014. Since then, he has found some better success. He is 4-3 in the UFC going into Wednesday’s fight.
Silva de Andrade is an experienced striker who has good speed and strength. His fight experience often comes into play as he adjusts well to his opponents style. He can often be unorthodox with his kicks and spinning attacks.
