Preview: UFC Fight Night 233 ‘Song vs. Gutierrez’

Bantamweights

#10 FLW | Tim Elliott (19-13-1, 8-11 UFC) vs. #11 FLW | Su Mudaerji (16-5, 3-2 UFC)

ODDS: Elliott (-165), Mudarji (+135)

This should make for a good time, particularly for a fight that came together on days’ notice. Mudaerji finally makes his return after being one-half of one of the best fights of 2022. The UFC’s first Tibetan fighter, he was an obviously raw prospect when the promotion picked him up in 2018 but proved to be a quick study in terms of improvement. A cut down to flyweight in 2020 seemed to unlock a lot of things for “The Tibetan Eagle.” He was already reedy as a bantamweight, but he is absolutely massive at 125 pounds while still maintaining a lot of his speed, allowing him to flit around at range and strike from some unorthodox angles. A fight with Matt Schnell in 2022 was Mudaerji’s first big test at 125 pounds. He seemed to be doing well up until the point that Schnell bit down and turned things into an absolute firefight, tiring Mudaerji out in the process before scoring a second-round submission. It was enough of a war that Mudaerji’s stock still likely rose in the process, even though it would have been nice to see him return sooner than 17 months later for this fight—a late-notice affair against Elliott that takes place up at bantamweight.

Since making his way back to the UFC in 2016, Elliott has essentially been the line between the flyweight elite and the rest of the division. An awkward striker and relentless scrambler, Elliott’s aggressive style is typically enough to outlast opponents but has proven too inefficient to get him over the hump to true contender status. Always an emotional fighter, there were some worries that some personal turmoil in Elliott’s life during a recent injury layoff would mark the end of his effectiveness, but he has impressed since his return earlier this year. He was as locked in as ever in a one-sided win over Victor Altamirano in June and gave top prospect Muhammad Mokaev an impressively tough fight in October. Mudaerji’s length could prove tricky at first, but if Elliott shows up anywhere near his usual form, he should be able to find his way to a wrestling-heavy performance sooner rather than later. The pick is Elliott via decision.

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Song vs. Gutierrez
Rountree vs. Smith
Elliott vs. Mudaerji
Haqparast vs. Mullarkey
Park vs. Muniz
Jousset vs. Song
The Prelims