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Note from the editor: The Stock Report is subjective and represents the stances, views, and opinions of the All Factors Considered camp solely.

Pre-Fight #UFCVegas17 Stock Report

Pre-Fight Stock Report Legend:

• On the fringes: A win/loss could either advance or drop a fighter out of the top-15
• Make or Break: A loss could result in being cut from the promotion/taking huge hit to a fighter’s stock
• Stuck in Limbo: A loss may set the fighter back, but a win would bring nothing of significance
• Nothing to Win, Everything to Lose: A fighter is taking a risk where they must win (preferably in dominant fashion) to justify taking the fight

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SAT DEC. 19, 10:00 AM – UFC Vegas 17, though it has lost at least four highly anticipated bouts due to COVID-19, has a star-studded main card to close out the year. Both A-side fighters in the main and co-main event bouts are in a high risk, low reward category for my pre-fight stock report. #5 Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (15-4-1) has virtually nothing to gain even if he beats #11 Geoff “Handz of Steel” Neal (13-2-0) in dominant fashion, but a loss should set him back pretty far in the top-15.

It’s more or less the same situation for #3 Marlon “Magic” Moraes (23-7-1), who is facing a game (and in my opinion incredibly underrated) opponent in New England Cartel‘s, #11 Rob Font (17-4-0). Moraes, who’s last fight resulted in a second-round KO loss to #2 Cory Sandhagen, may be relegated to the dreaded “gatekeeper” status that Wonderboy Thompson currently holds in his respective weight class if he loses this weekend.

I’m most intrigued to see what the result of the #7 José Aldo (28-7-0) vs #15 Marlon Vera (18-6-1) will be. I currently have “Chito” Vera as an On the Fringes candidate, because a loss to Aldo could very easily result in him being dropped from the bantamweight top-15. On the other hand, Aldo is coming into this bout on a three-fight losing streak, albeit those losses were against the current bantamweight champion, Petr Yan, the current featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski, and the former bantamweight champion, Marlon Moraes. However, amid the UFC’s announcement of 60+ upcoming roster cuts, another loss this weekend could result in Aldo receiving the Yoel Romero treatment.

Lastly, #13 Sijara Eubanks (6-5-0) will have a tough test on her hands in #14 Pannie Kianzad (13-5-0) this weekend. Both fighters are competing to keep a number besides their name, but I think Eubanks has more on the line this fight. Being 2-3 in her last five fights, Eubanks will have to bring the same level of tenacity that she did in her fight against Julia Avila to silence the critics. Nonetheless, Kianzad is coming off of two big wins in a row and a win against Eubanks could propel her into the top-10 of the women’s bantamweight division. I do have to mention that this fight was one of my sleepers this week on All Factors Considered #21, so it’s one to keep an eye on regardless.

It should be a great night of fights, let’s see how each athlete fares at #UFCVegas17.

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After Further Consideration is the blog space for the All Factors Considered camp. The Stock Report is subjective and represents the stances, views, and opinions of the All Factors Considered camp solely.