Dennis Buzukja is set to face Marcio Barbosa at UFC Fight Night 273 in Winnipeg. They will meet at Canada Life Centre. The featherweight match is the main card opener.
Barbosa’s UFC Debut
Marcio Barbosa, 27, boasts a 17-2 MMA record. He is making his UFC debut. He comes into the fight on a four-fight winning streak, which includes his contract-earning performance on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Barbosa was initially slated to fight last month. The oddsmakers heavily favor Barbosa, listing him at -550. Buzukja is listed at +390 via FanDuel.
Buzukja Looking to Right the Ship
Dennis Buzukja has a 12-5 MMA record. He has a 1-3 UFC record. Buzukja is also a DWCS alumnus.
The New York native is looking to improve his UFC record. Buzukja has lost three of his past four fights.
Predictions for the Fight
MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom provided a quick breakdown of the matchup. Tom believes that Barbosa’s firepower and pressure will ultimately dictate the outcome of this fight.
The official pick is for Barbosa’s early damage and momentum to carry him to a unanimous decision win on the scorecards. Although Barbosa by knockout is the most likely outcome on paper, Tom suspects that Buzukja is experienced enough to survive the storms and extend this fight.
Buzukja is more live than his odds indicate. He is a well-rounded enough fighter to pull off the upset.
Fight Time and Streaming
Barbosa and Buzukja are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 8:10 p.m. ET. The fight streams live on Paramount+.