Preview: UFC 261 Prelims

Women’s Strawweights

NR | Ariane Carnelossi (12-2, 0-1 UFC) vs. NR | Na Liang (13-4, 0-0 UFC)

ODDS: Carnelossi (-200), Liang (+170)

Carnelossi’s UFC debut if nothing else proved that she is consistent. The Brazilian is an undersized tank of a fighter who looks to march forward, throw heat and overpower her opponents in the clinch; that is basically the extent of her game. It did not figure to get her far in that UFC debut—a 2019 bout against Angela Hill—but Carnelossi made it a fight for longer than expected, moving forward and eating abuse until a cut stoppage in the third round. Carnelossi makes her return here and looks for her first UFC win against a promotional newcomer in Liang. China’s “Dragon Girl” has made it stateside once before. She had a one-off fight in Bellator back in 2017, when she had the poor fortune of getting matched with future flyweight champion Juliana Velasquez. Liang could wind up as a tricky opponent for her peers in the UFC, as she got by on the regional scene thanks to an aggressive submission game. However, that is an awfully low-percentage style on which to rely in the UFC, even if it could work against Carnelossi. While Carnelossi does not have much in the way of defense, she is powerful and single-minded enough to figure out how to grind out a win, likely in the clinch, unless Liang can find a way to clamp on an armbar. The pick is Carnelossi via decision.