Preview: UFC Vegas 106 Prelims

Featherweights

Yadier Del Valle (8-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Connor Matthews (7-3, 0-2 UFC)

ODDS: Del Valle (-430), Matthews (+300)

After an impressive showing on the 2024 edition of Dana White’s Contender Series, Cuba’s Del Valle makes his UFC debut here. It was unclear how del Valle would fare on the Contender Series given his middling level of regional competition, but he put in an impressive and game effort in earning a decision victory, applying pressure and generally looking dogged in his pursuit of offense on the feet and on the mat. That should serve him well against Matthews, who has yet to turn the corner towards success in the UFC. A two-time DWCS alum, Matthews can show a solid pressure game given the right opposition, but he has fought an uphill battle in his two UFC bouts to date, as he does not seem to be the best-equipped in terms of athleticism and durability. Del Valle isn’t typically a one-shot knockout artist, so this should be a bit more forgiving than usual in that aspect, but it’s also not hard to see the UFC newcomer overwhelming Matthews through sheer persistence. The pick is Del Valle via second-round stoppage.

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