The UFC returned to chilly Winnipeg, Manitoba on Saturday, April 18 for the first time since December 2017, when Rafael dos Anjos faced off with Robbie Lawler.
This time around, there was Canadian content in the main event, as Mike Malott looked to extend his win streak at welterweight against former title challenger Gilbert Burns. Despite being on a four-fight skid Burns remained ranked at 170lbs, and could be looked at as Malott’s toughest test to date.
Canada had plenty of fighters representing the country at UFC Winnipeg, with nine in total fighting at home. Among them, Charles Jourdain, facing Kyler Phillips in the co-main event, and Jasmine Jasudavicius, who was taking on Karine Silva in a key women’s flyweight fight on the main card.
Also on the main card and making his promotional debut, Mandel Nallo. The former Bellator standout was paired up with England’s Jai Herbert, entering his 10th fight under the UFC banner.
A big night for Canada, plus a lot of debuts. The five-fight main card was set to be kicked off by veteran Thiago Moises, taking on Gauge Young, who had dragged Winnipeg during Fight Week, calling it a “dump.”
Our picks are in for Saturday’s event! Check below to see how we expect it all to play out.
| Writer / Fight | Moises vs. Young | Jasudavicius vs. Silva | Herbert vs. Nallo | Jourdain vs. Phillips | Burns vs. Malott |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brett Cagle (46-15) |  |  |  |  |  |
| Mathis Desjardins (38-13) | | |  |  | |
| Alex Behunin (43-19) | | | | | |
| Patrick Danna (41-21) | | | | | |
| Jay Anderson (40-22) | | | | | |
| Eddie Law (38-24) | | | | |  |
Not surprisingly, no one was siding with Gauge Young, the upstart paired up against UFC veteran Thiago Moises. Jasmine Jasudavicius, meanwhile, was looking at a clean sweep against Karine Silva. We were pretty high on Mandel Nallo’s debut, with the 36-year old Contender Series winner taking on Jai Herbert. All but one writer responding sided with Nallo.
Things were a little more split in the co-main event between Kyler Phillips and Charles Jourdain. A pick ’em.
As for “Proper” Mike Malott, he was a heavy favorite against ex-title challenger Gilbert Burns.
