Carli Judice looks to continue her momentum as UFC 318 heads to the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans this Saturday. The flyweight contender enters as a heavy favorite against Nicolle Caliari after delivering a devastating head-kick knockout against Yuneisy Duben in her previous outing.
Despite carrying a seemingly modest 4-2 professional record, Judice's skills tell a different story. Both losses came via razor-thin split decisions, including one against former LFA champion Gabriella Fernandes. Her sharp kickboxing and excellent distance management should prove too much for the less experienced Caliari.
In the middleweight division, Ateba Gautier brings his imposing frame and knockout power against Robert Valentin. Gautier's physical advantages make him a substantial favorite in this matchup, with oddsmakers expecting him to end the fight early and violently.
Interestingly, while Valentin represents Gautier's toughest challenge to date, the sheer size and strength disparity may render that point moot if Gautier connects cleanly in the opening rounds.
The featured preliminary bout pits ranked bantamweights Vinicius Oliveira and Kyler Phillips against each other in what could be the most competitive fight of the three. Phillips enters as the underdog largely due to cardio concerns that were exposed when he gassed quickly against Rob Font despite employing a grappling-heavy approach.
Oliveira previously outlasted Said Nurmagomedov when his opponent faded, and many expect a similar scenario to unfold here. Phillips' wild striking tendencies might not be enough to overcome Oliveira's more measured approach over three rounds.
By the way, this card might lack big-name title contenders, but these three matchups promise the kind of explosive action that often flies under the radar. Will Gautier's power or Oliveira's endurance prove to be the most decisive factor come Saturday night?
