Preview: UFC 312 Prelims

Welterweights

Kevin Jousset (10-3, 2-1 UFC) vs. Jonathan Micallef (7-1, 0-0 UFC)

ODDS: Jousset (-258), Micallef (+210)

For an extremely late-notice signing, Jousset has done well for himself during his three-fight UFC career. A French judoka who eventually put down roots in Oceania, Jousset got the UFC call in 2023 and looked solid from the jump. He’s on the stiffer and slower side, but “Air” has typically been able to overcome that through technical acumen, picking his spots effectively on the feet while having an underrated ground game in his back pocket. After winning his first two UFC bouts, Jousset’s momentum came to a halt in his return to France against the surging Bryan Battle, but it wasn’t a performance that should have done much to lower his stock. That makes it a bit surprising that he gets a massive step back in competition here against an Australian newcomer in Micallef. A recent Contender Series alum, Micallef is clearly at his best as a wrestler and grappler, to the point that he figures to be quite one-dimensional at the UFC level. There isn’t a lot in terms of available footage of his regional career, but some of it still shows him getting hit hard against opponents willing to throw out volume when given the opportunity. Fortunately for Micallef, Jousset doesn’t figure to be quick enough to pour on that type of pressure. Plus, Micallef’s Contender Series win did show some impressive slickness on the mat. With that said, this generally looks like the UFC throwing Micallef into a fight he doesn’t look ready for against a veteran able to neutralize his best weapons. The pick is Jousset via decision.

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Jousset vs. Micallef
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