Preview: UFC Kansas City Prelims

Bantamweights

Da’Mon Blackshear (16-7-1, 4-3-1 UFC) vs. Heili Alateng (17-9-2, 5-2-1 UFC)

ODDS: Blackshear (-375), Alateng (+295)

It’s nice to see Blackshear back on an active schedule. Blackshear was an interesting prospect ahead of his UFC debut in 2022—he was a scrambling-focused fighter who prioritized offense over defense—and he briefly had his moment in the sun a year later. He tapped out Jose Johnson with an extremely rare twister submission, then gained some headlines by taking a fight just seven days later against Mario Bautista. Blackshear was unsuccessful in making UFC history and dropped a hard-fought decision, then had a well-earned break before returning in 2024. That saw him suffer a surprisingly quick knockout loss to Montel Jackson. It showed the downside of Blackshear’s offense- and pace-focused approach, but “Da Monster” has been able to play his game much more effectively in his last two fights, getting hit but eventually overwhelming Cody Stamann and Cody Gibson. Six weeks after the Gibson win, Blackshear takes on Alateng in a tricky matchup, as inactivity has made the Chinese fighter one of the more underrated entrants in the bantamweight division. Alateng’s game is basic but effective, as he’s a dedicated counterpuncher who hits hard. His sheer consistency makes him difficult to outlast, but opponents with enough speed and layered offense to their game have found some success outmaneuvering “The Mongolian Knight.” After a 2023 loss to Chris Gutierrez, Alateng’s lone fight of 2024 saw him take a surprisingly wrestling-heavy approach to beating Kleydson Rodrigues, which was perhaps a strategic adjustment for that one fight, since wrestling would be a bad idea here. If Alateng goes back to his counter-focused ways, there’s a decent shot he can replicate the Jackson fight and blast Blackshear in short order. However, the lean is that Blackshear can eventually get some wrestling going and outlast Alateng over the long haul. The pick is Blackshear via third-round submission.

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