Good afternoon and welcome to the weekend recap of our prospect watch. We had a ton of talent to sift through with events like UFC Vegas 82 and Bellator 301 on the menu. So, without any more delays, let's get down to business 👊 

UFC Vegas 82
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿Christian Leroy Duncan vs Denis Tiuliulin🇷🇺 

Let's begin our prospect watch with UFC Vegas 82—a middleweight clash between former Cage Warriors champion Christian Leroy Duncan and Russian veteran Denis Tiuliulin. Spoiler alert: it concluded with a decisive knockout, so let's break it down.

In the first round, the pace was deliberate, with Tiuliulin closing the distance to nullify Duncan's kicks. Duncan, however, managed to secure a clinch against the cage, delivering effective elbow strikes.

The second round intensified the action, as Duncan found his rhythm, unleashing a variety of strikes, including flying knees and spinning heel kicks. Tiuliulin struggled to maintain pressure, allowing Duncan to capitalize. Two significant elbows from Duncan knocked down Tiuliulin, and ground and pound sealed the victory.

Duncan showcased growth in his overall game, particularly in striking and the clinch, compared to his previous bout against Armen Petrosyan. It's evident that he's been putting in the work behind the scenes.

As for the Cage Chronicle's prediction, it hit the mark! Christian Leroy Duncan lived up to expectations, and our crystal ball remains on point 🧙

UFC Vegas 82
🇺🇸Charles Johnson vs Rafael Estevam🇧🇷 

Our next prospect under the watchful eye is none other than Rafael Estevam, who was up against Charles Johnson in the flyweight bout at UFC Vegas 82. This showdown was particularly intriguing as Estevam aimed for a victorious UFC debut, while Johnson sought to halt his ongoing losing streak. However, Estevam did miss weight, adding a twist to his debut narrative 🫃 

The opening round saw Estevam come out swinging, blending kicks with takedown attempts. His second shot proved fruitful, executing a hip throw after securing a bodylock on Johnson. Despite Johnson's defensive efforts, Estevam showcased effective ground control, closing the round dominantly.

Round two witnessed Estevam pursuing another takedown, driving Johnson against the fence for a successful trip. Johnson, resilient but on the defensive, grappled with Estevam's ground game, managing to escape to his feet.

Entering the final round, Johnson shifted gears, applying pressure on Estevam. Despite Estevam's visible fatigue, he persisted in takedown attempts, grappling with Johnson's defense. Johnson's counterattacks and defensive maneuvers prompted a ref separation. Johnson maintained pressure, and despite Estevam's continued attempts, he couldn't secure successful takedowns against Johnson's defense 🤼 

In the end, Estevam secured a unanimous decision victory on the night, but concerns lingered about his gas tank in the competitive flyweight division.

And guess what? The Cage Chronicle’s prediction strikes again! We called an Estevam win 🧙‍♂️

Bellator 301
🇷🇺Timur Khizreiv vs Justin Gonzales🇺🇸 

From the glitz of Las Vegas to the gusty winds of Chicago, the spotlight was on Bellator 301, potentially the last of its kind. In this star-studded event, our focus was on Timur Khizreiv, who faced off against Justin Gonzales, and boy, did this bout put the Russian on the map! 🤯

The first round showcased Khizreiv's dominance, with a flurry of precise strikes on the feet. While Gonzales landed some decent shots, a knee attempt became his downfall, as Khizreiv capitalized with a thunderous right hand, dropping the American. Once on the ground, Khizreiv displayed his ground prowess, delivering a barrage of strikes on Gonzales 👊 

The second round kicked off with a bang as Khizreiv unleashed a MASSIVE front kick to Gonzales's face, leaving him visibly rocked. Despite the onslaught, Gonzales struggled on the feet, constantly countered by Khizreiv's heavy shots. Although Gonzales showed improvement on the ground, getting back up swiftly after takedowns, Khizreiv continued to dictate the pace.

The final round began with a twist as Gonzales caught a Khizreiv kick, attempting a takedown. In a surprising turn of events, Khizreiv executed a backflip escape and reversed into a takedown, showcasing moves that could make Spiderman jealous. While Gonzales landed some shots upon getting back to his feet, it was evident that he couldn't turn the tide.

Khizreiv sealed the victory comfortably and stylishly, delivering one of the standout performances of the night. Keep an eye on this young Russian, as he's shaping up to be an exciting prospect 🌟 

And once again, drumroll, please! The Cage Chronicle’s prediction was spot on, foreseeing a win for Timur Khizreiv 🧙

Bellator 301
🇺🇸Raufueon Stots vs Danny Sabatello🇺🇸 

Remaining in the Bellator 301 spotlight, our attention turned to Raufeon Stots, who faced off against Danny Sabatello in a highly anticipated bantamweight bout. This rematch had us reminiscing about their previous encounter, filled with thrilling wrestling exchanges. Let's dive into the action 👊 

The opening round set the tone with Sabatello unleashing a flying knee and a flurry of strikes. His takedown attempts were met with strong defense from Stots, leading to a series of scrambles and reversals. Both fighters showcased their wrestling prowess, making it a close and exciting round.

Round two brought a flurry of high kicks from Sabatello, but Stots adeptly evaded them. Stots thwarted Sabatello's takedown attempts and showcased his striking skills. A head kick from Stots hinted at a potential wobble in Sabatello, who returned to his takedown strategy 🤼 

The third round kicked off with a bang as Sabatello went for a knee but was caught by a powerful left hand from Stots, resulting in a knockdown. What followed was another thrilling grappling exchange, with Sabatello attempting a body triangle and Stots countering with a reversal to mount. Stots landed some effective elbows, and although Sabatello worked his way up, a mistimed takedown attempt left him with a face full of cage. Stots seized the opportunity, aiming to finish the fight.

When the judges' decision came in, it was a close call, with all scoring it 28-28 in favor of Stots. The Cage Chronicle's prediction proved spot-on once again, maintaining a perfect streak for the weekend 🧙

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