Vladimir Kramarenko’s Picks
Ivan Buchinger 36-6
If you are looking for a UFC ready replacement then you can’t go wrong with Ivan Buchinger. The Slovakian veteran has put in work in the regional scene, fighting the who’s who of European MMA. Having already fought in China under the M-1 banner, he would be no stranger to the local audience.
Having compiled an impressive record of 36-6, Buchinger is overdue for a shot in the UFC, having beaten some very talented fighters from Russia and Western Europe. With the majority of his wins coming on the ground, Buchinger will provide an interesting test for Movsar Evloev and make for a fascinating grappling battle between two ground experts. However, Buchniger is far from a one-dimensional fighter and has the ability to hurt or knock his opponents out on the feet as well.
Liucai Cui 24-5
Should the UFC want to go with a local fighter, Liucai Cui is one of the outstanding candidates. The Chinese fighter is riding a 13-fight win streak with the majority of those wins coming by finish. Having competed at both featherweight and bantamweight, making weight on short notice should not be an issue for Cui which makes him a realistic option.
On the feet, Cui is a fun, yet patient striker and likes to utilize spinning techniques. However, he does his best work on the ground from top position where he has solid ground and pound as well as good positional awareness. While Cui might not be as UFC ready as some of the other names mentioned in the article, he does fit in well with UFC’s expansion into China and could bring some more local flavor to the event.
