Joel Alvarez vs. Elves Brenner is our prediction for the UFC Abu Dhabi Fight of the Night
On Saturday, Aug. 3, the Ethiad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, UAE, will play host to yet another UFC event showcase. Abu Dhabi is no stranger to being the backdrop for big UFC cards, as the promotion has taken over the island on 19 separate occasions. This time, two bantamweights take the headlining spot on the UFC on ABC telecast, as perennial contender Cory Sandhagen takes on rising dark house Umar Nurmagomedov. The main card is stacked with other recognizable names in bouts including Chito Vera vs. Deiveson Figueiredo, Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez, Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Chiesa, and the return of Shara “Bullet”.
However, it’s the first fight slated to kick off the ABC main card that captures our attention. Two under-the-radar fighters, Alvarez and Brenner, are set to face off in what promises to be an electrifying lightweight showdown. Both competitors are emerging contenders in the lightweight division. While casual fans may not be eagerly anticipating this match, hardcore fans will certainly know what to expect from these skilled fighters.
Since joining the UFC in 2019, Alvarez has competed in seven fights, achieving five victories and two losses. His first defeat came in his debut against Damir Ismagulov, while his second was against Arman Tsarukyan, who has since emerged as a prominent title challenger. Alvarez is a proven finisher, with all five of his UFC wins coming by way of finish, whether through TKO or submission. He has also secured impressive victories over seasoned veterans, including Thiago Moises, Alexander Yakovlev, Marc Diakese, and Joe Duffy. Simply put, Alvarez does not enter the Octagon to coast to a decision victory—he has yet to have a single fight in his MMA career that went to the judges' scorecards. He possesses all the skills necessary to finish a fight, leaving opponents little room for error if they hope to beat him to the punch.
Joel Alvarez vs. Elves Brenner is the fight to watch at UFC Abu Dhabi
Likewise, Brenner is a formidable contender when it comes to securing highlight finishes. Although he has fewer UFC fights under his belt, he has made an impressive mark in his four appearances, boasting a 3-1 record. His most recent bout resulted in his first UFC loss at UFC 301 against Myktebek Orolbai, a lightweight fighter worth watching. Prior to that setback, Brenner achieved three victories, finishing both Kaynan Kruschewsky and Guram Kutateladze, while going the distance with Zubaira Tukhugov. Additionally, with former champion Charles Oliveira as one of his key training partners, fans can expect Brenner to bring an entertaining style, influenced by one of the UFC's top finishers.
For both Alvarez and Brenner, grappling-based backgrounds form the foundation of their fighting styles, and they have largely contributed to their victories. However, this doesn't mean these two grappling specialists lack knockout power on the feet. Although neither fighter is currently ranked, the stakes are high for whoever emerges victorious in this matchup. The UFC lightweight division is exceptionally competitive, and for those just outside the top 15, one impressive performance can propel them into the upper echelon of 155-pound fighters.
This mentality will underlie the bout between Alvarez and Brenner, as it is highly unlikely to go the full 15 minutes, given their impressive finish rates. While relying solely on their submission skills could potentially lead to a lackluster fight, this has not been the case in either fighter's UFC career thus far. They have the honor of opening the main card on a prestigious platform like ABC, making it a safe bet that Alvarez and Brenner will aim to put on an entertaining performance for the Abu Dhabi fans while also looking to secure a financial bonus.