Preview: UFC Des Moines Prelims

Bantamweights

Gaston Bolanos (8-4, 2-1 UFC) vs. Quang Le (8-2, 0-2 UFC)

ODDS: Bolanos (-142), Le (+120)

It was a bit of a surprise when the UFC picked up a former Bellator mainstay in Bolanos, but there was the possibility that “The Dreamkiller” could use his kickboxing skills to have some exciting fights—or get undone against better wrestlers and grapplers. Through three fights, things have turned out somewhere in the middle. Bolanos hasn’t quite had a signature performance or any sort of barnburner, but he has put together some solid showings and even flashed some skills on the ground in some workmanlike performances. That should be enough for Bolanos to keep separating the wheat from the chaff as far as the UFC roster is concerned—a spot in which he finds himself once again. Le was slated for the 2024 edition of Dana White’s Contender Series before instead getting the late-notice UFC call as an injury replacement, and “Bang” came with some high expectations as a well-regarded knockout artist. It wasn’t a shock that he was unable to figure out a high-level neutralizer like Chris Gutierrez in his UFC debut, but it was much more surprising that Le fell short and got knocked out by Long Xiao in his sophomore effort. Xiao was able to take over the fight through pace and aggression. Le’s tendency to stay patient and wait for the big shot looks like a fatal flaw at the UFC level, so while there’s still a decent chance that he can find a knockout in what figures to be a striking-heavy affair, Bolanos staying safe and plugging his way to a win seems like the much safer bet. The pick is Bolanos via decision.

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