Preview: UFC Fight Night 181 Prelims

Sorry Christian, Kevin stole the show tonight!#NatividadVsNatividad#LFA85 pic.twitter.com/sVnZYNyIa2

— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) July 18, 2020

Bantamweights

Miles Johns (10-1) vs. Kevin Natividad (9-1)

ODDS: Johns (-185), Natividad (+160)

Johns is a promising prospect, but he has yet to turn in his first impressive performance inside the UFC. On paper, Johns should be able to succeed. He is a solid wrestler and has flashed a power boxing game with some potential. However, his UFC debut against Cole Smith saw him get smothered by the latter’s wrestling game—Johns still left with a win—and his last bout against Mario Bautista saw him box with middling effectiveness before getting knocked out. He will look to turn the corner here against Natividad, a newcomer who is putting together an interesting game of his own as a pressure boxer with some decent wrestling. If this stays on the feet, Natividad figures to be able to drown Johns in volume, but his constant pressure will probably just leave him open for takedowns. The pick is for Johns to grind out a decision win.