Preview: UFC Mexico Prelims

Lightweights

MarQuel Mederos (9-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Austin Hubbard (16-8, 4-6 UFC)

ODDS: Mederos (-192), Hubbard (+160)

One of multiple fights on this card that changed repeatedly to the point of becoming a brand-new pairing, this winds up as an intriguing prospect-versus-veteran test. Mederos is the prospect half of this matchup, and he’s an interesting talent to track as a clear athlete using an unorthodox style. Mederos fights with a herky-jerky striking style that’s dependent on his reflexes but often inefficient, leaving him to lean on his wrestling as he begins to tire down the stretch. Mederos has a few more years where he should be able to hone things before his athleticism starts to fade, which makes it a bit frustrating that he has been out for over a year due to injuries. He takes on Hubbard, who’s about as sound of a benchmark that exists in the UFC nowadays. It was a bit of a surprise when the UFC released Hubbard in 2021, but he quickly earned his way back to the promotion through “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2023, managing to alternate wins and losses through both stretches. “Thud” is the definition of solid but unspectacular. He’s durable and fairly athletic, with few outright holes in his game, but he mostly just plugs along in unspectacular fashion while rarely completely taking over a fight. Mederos could just wear himself out—particularly with his stepping in on late notice for a card in Mexico City—but the lean is that he throws out enough output to get this over the finish line, even if the third round winds up a bit rough. The pick is Mederos via decision.

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Chairez vs. Vergara
Gautier vs. Medina
Rodriguez vs. Costa
Godinez vs. Polastri
Garcia vs. Pichel
Emmers vs. Miranda
Mederos vs. Hubbard