ADESANYA
PYFER
A Legend Fighting to Stay Relevant
Adesanya is one of the most technically gifted strikers in UFC history — 75-5 as a professional kickboxer, two-time UFC Middleweight Champion, five title defenses. But he's lost four of his last five: a stunning upset loss to Sean Strickland, a submission to Dricus Du Plessis, then a TKO to Nassourdine Imavov — the first time he'd ever been finished outside a title fight. At 36, this is a must-win or the retirement conversation starts immediately.
Pyfer grew up in South Jersey, was effectively homeless at 16 — sleeping on a park bench before a wrestling coach changed his life. He beat Kelvin Gastelum and Abus Magomedov in his last two. Every single one of his 18 pro wins has ended before the final bell.
Distance vs. Destruction
Adesanya's genius is distance management — he makes opponents miss and punishes every mistake with precision. Pyfer's entire game is close the distance, create chaos, and end it early.
If Pyfer lands clean, Adesanya can be stopped. If Adesanya gets to work at range, Pyfer could look like every other fighter Stylebender has dismantled. High-stakes either way.
GRASSO
BARBER
Former Champ on the Ropes
Shocked the MMA world by submitting Valentina Shevchenko — the dominant flyweight queen — at UFC 285 in 2023. Then came the trilogy: a draw, then a title loss. She's been winless in her last three and fighting to re-establish herself.
Style: Technical striker with elite octagon control — precise, patient, clinical. Her best version is methodical and suffocating.
"The Future" Has Arrived
Lost the first meeting in 2021, then went on a relentless improvement arc. Seven straight wins, better wrestling, better ring IQ. In 2025, she suffered a seizure backstage minutes before her walkout for a massive title eliminator and was pulled from the fight — then came back six months later and won at UFC 323.
Style: High-pressure with evolving grappling. A different fighter than 2021.
In 2021, Grasso was the experienced veteran; Barber the hot prospect. Now it's completely flipped. Grasso fights with desperation, Barber walks in with all the momentum. The question is whether Grasso's technical superiority can compensate for a massive confidence gap — and whether she can find the version of herself that upset Shevchenko.
CHIESA
HARRIS
Michael Chiesa went to Shadle Park High School in Spokane — where you knew him. This is his 22nd and final UFC fight, in his home state. He explained his timing: "It's my 22nd UFC fight, 22 is my number, and March 28 is my parents' anniversary. It's like the universe is telling me something." After retiring, he's staying at Shadle Park coaching high school wrestling and will continue working as a UFC broadcast analyst.
TUF Winner
Won The Ultimate Fighter: Live while his terminally ill father passed away during filming. Submitted Al Iaquinta in round one of the finale. Entered the UFC with immediate credibility — and a story that made him impossible not to root for.
The Bus Attack
Conor McGregor stormed the Barclays Center and threw a hand truck through a bus window. Flying glass cut Chiesa's face. He was pulled from his fight — likely costing him a UFC title shot when the main event fell apart. He sued McGregor and eventually settled.
Welterweight Legacy
Moved to 170 after near-death weight cuts. Beat Carlos Condit, Diego Sanchez, Rafael dos Anjos, and Neil Magny in his best stretch. Built a full broadcast career alongside fighting. Now retiring on a 3-fight win streak. Home state. His parents' anniversary. Fight 22.
EROSA
DOUGLAS
Juicy J Fights at Home
Julian Erosa was born in Seattle and grew up in Yakima. Fifteen years as a professional fighter — multiple UFC stints, multiple cuts, multiple comebacks. His guillotine choke is one of the most dangerous submissions on the roster, finishing two opponents with it back-to-back in 2024. Two Fight of the Night bonuses. A dad now. A lifer who always shows up to fight.
36 Seconds on the Contender Series
Lerryan Douglas relocated from Brazil to southern California and rebuilt under Cub Swanson at Bloodline Combat. Won the LFA Featherweight title, then knocked out Cam Teague in 36 seconds on Dana White's Contender Series to earn his contract. National wrestling champion, black belt in jiu-jitsu. This is his first UFC fight. The pressure is enormous.
Classic veteran vs. hungry prospect. Erosa will look to get it messy and attack the neck — he's a nightmare in scrambles. Douglas has scary knockout power. Neither guy is looking for a decision. High likelihood this ends early and loud — the kind of prelim that gets the crowd standing from the jump.
ABDUL-MALIK
BELGAROUI
"Outside I'm Soft. Inside I'm a Contradiction."
Mansur Abdul-Malik is one of the more fascinating young middleweights on the roster. During fight week he wore house slippers and round glasses. Inside the cage: relentless aggression and dangerous finishing ability. Undefeated, trained at Xtreme Couture under Eric Nicksick. Still developing — but the trajectory is sharp.
He's Already Fought the Headliner. Twice.
Yousri Belgaroui has faced Israel Adesanya twice and Alex Pereira three times in kickboxing — before either was a UFC household name. Now he trains with Pereira and was in his corner at UFC 320. He carries 27-13 kickboxing credentials into MMA, including 13 knockouts. Striking pedigree few UFC fighters can match on paper.
Belgaroui fought the headliner in kickboxing, before Adesanya was famous. Now he's in the prelims of the same UFC card, at the same weight class, as his old opponent headlines above him. An invisible thread running through the entire evening — worth knowing when you're in the arena watching both fights.
McKINNEY
NELSON
Terrance McKinney is also from Spokane and graduated from Shadle Park High School — same as Michael Chiesa. He was a two-time state wrestling champion there. You may be watching two fighters from your high school on the same UFC card in Seattle.
The Most Dangerous Opener on the Card
McKinney holds the all-time record for the fastest finish in UFC Lightweight history — a 7-second knockout on his debut. In 25 professional fights, he has never won or lost by decision. Every fight ends early, one way or the other. First-round finish or bust. Every. Single. Time.
Raised by a mother who was a former gang member turned US Army soldier. Relocated to Spokane. Became a state champion. Built one of the most electrifying finish rates in the sport.
Nelson Has Quietly Rebuilt
A Canadian veteran who opened his own gym in Huntsville, Ontario and coaches kids. Went 4-1 in his last five UFC appearances after rebuilding from a difficult early stretch.
He's exactly the kind of opponent who derails a streaking finisher — experienced enough to not get caught cold, durable enough to survive early McKinney pressure, and dangerous enough to punish any recklessness.
