Venue: UFC APEX — Las Vegas, Nevada

Broadcast: ESPN+ (Prelims & Main Card)

A fascinating bantamweight matchup unfolds at UFC Vegas 119 as undefeated prospect Farid Basharat meets surging newcomer Ethyn Ewing. This is a classic clash of styles: Basharat’s polished, methodical, all‑around game versus Ewing’s explosive athleticism and aggressive finishing instincts. With both fighters trending upward, this bout has real implications for the division’s future.

VENUE DETAILS — UFC APEX

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Cage Size: 25-foot Octagon

Impact:

Smaller cage favors pressure, clinch work, and wrestling

Basharat thrives in tight grappling exchanges

Ewing’s explosiveness becomes more dangerous with less space to evade

INJURY REPORT & CAMP NOTES

Farid Basharat

No reported injuries

Training at Xtreme Couture alongside brother Javid

Camp focus: defensive wrestling, counter‑grappling, and maintaining range

Coaches emphasize patience and controlling tempo

Ethyn Ewing

No reported injuries

Training at Factory X Muay Thai

Camp focus: aggressive entries, scrambling, and high‑pressure striking

Emphasis on early pace and forcing Basharat backward

FIGHTER BREAKDOWN & MATCHUP ANALYSIS

Farid Basharat

Record: 12–0 Style: Technical striker, slick grappler, high fight IQ Strengths:

Excellent distance management

Clean, accurate striking

Strong defensive wrestling

Smooth transitions and back‑takes

Elite cardio

Weaknesses:

Not a big power puncher

Sometimes too patient

Can be pressured early before settling in

Recent Form

3–0 in UFC

Two dominant decisions, one submission

Continues to show elite composure and control

Path to Victory

Keep fight at mid‑range

Use jab and kicks to slow Ewing’s entries

Win scrambles and take over late with cardio

Ethyn Ewing

Record: 9–1 Style: Explosive striker, aggressive scrambler Strengths:

Fast, powerful combinations

Strong clinch offense

Dangerous in transitions

Excellent finishing instincts

Weaknesses:

Can be wild and overextend

Defensive grappling still developing

Cardio fades if forced into long grappling sequences

Recent Form

3–0 in last 3

Two finishes, one decision

Showing rapid improvement in striking and wrestling

Path to Victory

Push pace early

Force Basharat into defensive grappling

Create chaos in scrambles and look for big moments

FIGHT HISTORY & CONTEXT

First meeting between the two

Basharat is the more polished, undefeated prospect

Ewing is the more explosive, unpredictable finisher

Stylistically: technical control vs. chaotic aggression

Winner likely moves into top‑20 bantamweight consideration

BETTING TRENDS

Farid Basharat Trends

8 of last 10 fights have gone Over 2.5 rounds

3–0 in UFC, all as a favorite

Has never been knocked out or submitted

Ethyn Ewing Trends

7 of 9 wins by finish

3–1 as an underdog

Has never gone 15 minutes in UFC without slowing down late

MATCHUP EDGE SUMMARY

FIGHT ODDS

Farid Basharat                   + 110

Ethyn Ewing                       – 130

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, June 19, 2026

Venue: UFC APEX — Las Vegas, Nevada

Broadcast: ESPN+ (Main Card)

A high‑level flyweight showdown headlines UFC Vegas 119 as Manel Kape, one of the division’s most explosive strikers, meets Kyoji Horiguchi, a legendary veteran with championship pedigree across multiple promotions. This is a razor‑sharp matchup between two elite athletes with speed, power, and finishing instincts — a fight that could easily determine the next title challenger.

VENUE DETAILS — UFC APEX

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Cage Size: 25-foot Octagon

Impact:

Smaller cage = more engagements

Favors pressure fighters and fast scramblers

Both men thrive in tight spaces, making this a high‑pace striking battle

INJURY REPORT & CAMP NOTES

Manel Kape

No reported injuries

Training at AKA Thailand / Xtreme Couture

Camp focus: counter‑striking, takedown defense, explosive entries

Coaches emphasize patience and shot selection

Kyoji Horiguchi

No injuries reported

Training at American Top Team (ATT)

Camp focus: footwork, angle changes, reactive takedowns

Emphasis on mixing striking with level changes to disrupt Kape’s rhythm

FIGHTER BREAKDOWN & MATCHUP ANALYSIS

Manel “Starboy” Kape

Record: 20–6 Style: Explosive counter‑striker, elite athleticism Strengths:

Lightning‑fast hands

Devastating counter right hook

Excellent timing and reflexes

Strong takedown defense

Dangerous finishing instincts

Weaknesses:

Low output at times

Can be overly patient

Occasionally loses rounds due to inactivity

Recent Form

4–0 (1 NC) in last 5

Wins over top‑15 contenders

Looks like a legitimate title threat

Path to Victory

Counter Horiguchi’s entries

Keep fight in boxing range

Use speed advantage to win exchanges

Kyoji Horiguchi

Record: 32–5 Style: Karate‑based movement, fast blitzes, well‑rounded grappling Strengths:

Elite footwork and angles

Fast combinations

Strong wrestling and top control

Championship experience

Excellent fight IQ

Weaknesses:

Chin not as durable as earlier in career

Can be caught during blitz entries

Age and mileage may affect speed

Recent Form

3–1 in last 4

Wins in both UFC and RIZIN

Still one of the fastest flyweights in the world

Path to Victory

Mix striking with takedowns

Use lateral movement to avoid Kape’s counters

Win rounds with volume and cage control

FIGHT HISTORY & CONTEXT

First meeting between the two

Kape is a former RIZIN champion — Horiguchi is a former RIZIN and Bellator champion

Both have fought elite competition across multiple organizations

Stylistically: elite counter‑striker vs. elite movement striker/wrestler

Winner likely becomes next in line for a UFC flyweight title shot

BETTING TRENDS

Manel Kape Trends

4 of last 6 wins by KO

5–1 as a UFC favorite

Has not been finished in the UFC

Kyoji Horiguchi Trends

7 of last 10 fights went to decision

3–2 as an underdog

Has been knocked out twice in last 5 years

MATCHUP EDGE SUMMARY

FIGHT ODDS

Manel Kape                        – 150

Kyoji Horiguchi                 + 130

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, June 19, 2026

Venue: UFC APEX — Las Vegas, Nevada

Broadcast: ESPN+ (Prelims & Main Card)

A high‑stakes featherweight showdown pits one of the division’s most dangerous kickboxers against a surging Dagestani pressure grappler. Melsik Baghdasaryan brings explosive striking and knockout power, while Murtazali Magomedov enters with suffocating wrestling and a grinding style that has broken multiple opponents. This is a classic striker‑vs‑grappler matchup with real divisional implications.

VENUE DETAILS — UFC APEX

• Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
• Cage Size: 25-foot Octagon
• Impact on Fight:
  • Smaller cage favors grapplers and pressure fighters
  • Less space for Baghdasaryan to circle and kick
  • More opportunities for Magomedov to close distance and clinch

INJURY REPORT & CAMP NOTES

Melsik Baghdasaryan

• No reported injuries
• Training at Glendale Fighting Club
• Camp focus: takedown defense, counter‑kicking, footwork
• Coaches emphasize early aggression to keep Magomedov honest

Murtazali Magomedov

• No injuries reported
• Training at Dagestan’s Abdulmanap School / American Kickboxing Academy satellite
• Camp focus: chain wrestling, cage pressure, top control
• Emphasis on neutralizing Baghdasaryan’s kicking game

FIGHTER BREAKDOWN & MATCHUP ANALYSIS

Melsik “The Gun” Baghdasaryan

Record: 8–2 Style: Explosive kickboxer, KO artist Strengths:

• Devastating left kick to body and head
• Fast, powerful combinations
• Excellent counter‑striking
• Strong killer instinct

Weaknesses:

• Takedown defense can be inconsistent
• Limited bottom game
• Can fade if forced to grapple early and often

Recent Form

• 2–1 in last 3 UFC fights
• Coming off a decision win showing improved composure
• Still searching for a signature win over a strong wrestler

Path to Victory

• Keep fight standing
• Maintain distance with kicks
• Punish Magomedov’s entries with counters

Murtazali Magomedov

Record: 11–1 Style: Dagestani pressure wrestler, smothering top control Strengths:

• Relentless takedowns
• Heavy top pressure
• Strong positional grappling
• Excellent cardio

Weaknesses:

• Striking still developing
• Can be hit clean on entries
• Sometimes overly patient in top control

Recent Form

• 3–0 in UFC
• Two dominant decision wins, one late submission
• Has not yet faced a striker with Baghdasaryan’s power

Path to Victory

• Close distance early
• Chain takedowns against the fence
• Wear Baghdasaryan down with pressure and ground‑and‑pound

FIGHT HISTORY & CONTEXT

• First meeting between the two
• Baghdasaryan has fought higher‑level strikers
• Magomedov has fought stronger grapplers
• Stylistically: elite striker vs. elite wrestler
• Winner likely moves into top‑20 contention

BETTING TRENDS

Melsik Baghdasaryan Trends

• 6 of 8 wins by KO
• 4 of last 5 fights ended inside the distance
• 2–3 as an underdog

Murtazali Magomedov Trends

• 8 of last 10 wins by control‑heavy decision or late finish
• 3–0 in UFC, all as a favorite
• Has never been knocked out

MATCHUP EDGE SUMMARY

FIGHT ODDS

Melsik Baghdasaryan                     + 285

Murtazali Magomedov                 – 350

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, June 19, 2026

Venue: UFC APEX — Las Vegas, Nevada

Broadcast: ESPN+ (Prelims & Main Card)

A striker’s delight meets a gritty, well‑rounded newcomer as Gaston “The Dreamkiller” Bolaños takes on Michael Aswell in a featherweight matchup that promises speed, violence, and momentum swings. Bolaños brings elite Muay Thai credentials and highlight‑reel power, while Aswell arrives with a grinding, pressure‑heavy style built to test the Peruvian’s takedown defense and composure.

This is a classic striker vs. pressure‑wrestler matchup with real implications for the winner’s climb up the division.

VENUE DETAILS — UFC APEX

• Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
• Cage Size: 25-foot Octagon
• Impact:
  • Smaller cage = more pressure, more clinch exchanges
  • Favors wrestlers and grinders (Aswell)
  • Forces strikers like Bolaños to work harder to maintain distance

INJURY REPORT & CAMP NOTES

Gaston Bolaños

• No reported injuries
• Training at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA)
• Camp focus: takedown defense, counter knees, lateral movement

Michael Aswell

• No injuries reported
• Training at Fortis MMA
• Camp focus: chain wrestling, cage pressure, cardio pacing

FIGHTER BREAKDOWN & MATCHUP ANALYSIS

Gaston “The Dreamkiller” Bolaños

Record: 8–3 Style: Muay Thai striker, spinning‑attack specialist Strengths:

• Devastating elbows and kicks
• Excellent timing on counters
• Fast, explosive combinations
• Dangerous in clinch with knees

Weaknesses:

• Takedown defense still developing
• Can be controlled on the mat
• Sometimes relies too heavily on power shots

Recent Form

• 2–1 in last 3 UFC fights
• Coming off a KO win showcasing improved patience
• Still untested against elite wrestlers

Path to Victory

• Keep fight standing
• Use footwork to avoid cage pressure
• Land counters as Aswell enters range

Michael Aswell

Record: 7–1 Style: Pressure wrestler, grinding top control Strengths:

• Relentless pace
• Strong double‑leg takedown
• Excellent top control and ground‑and‑pound
• Good cardio

Weaknesses:

• Limited striking defense
• Can be hit clean on entries
• Submissions still developing

Recent Form

• 3–0 in last 3
• Two dominant decision wins
• One submission victory showing improved grappling transitions

Path to Victory

• Close distance early
• Force clinch and takedown attempts
• Wear Bolaños down with pressure and mat control

FIGHT HISTORY & CONTEXT

• First meeting between the two
• Bolaños has faced higher‑level strikers
• Aswell has faced stronger grapplers
• Stylistically: classic striker vs. wrestler, but both have improved well‑roundedness
• Winner likely moves into fringe top‑25 territory

BETTING TRENDS

Gaston Bolaños Trends

• 6 of 8 career wins by KO
• 4 of last 5 fights ended inside the distance
• 3–1 as a UFC favorite

Michael Aswell Trends

• 5 of last 7 fights went to decision
• 3–0 as an underdog
• Has never been knocked out

MATCHUP EDGE SUMMARY

FIGHT ODDS

Gaston Bolanos                + 330

Michael Aswell                 – 400

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, June 19, 2026

Venue: UFC APEX — Las Vegas, Nevada

Broadcast: ESPN+ (Prelims & Main Card)

This flyweight matchup pits a seasoned submission specialist against a rising, high‑volume prospect. Stylistically, it’s one of the most intriguing technical fights on the card.

VENUE DETAILS — UFC APEX

• Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
• Cage Size: 25-foot Octagon (smaller cage = more engagements, grappling exchanges, and pressure fighting)
• Impact:
  • Favors wrestlers and submission artists
  • Forces quicker engagements
  • Reduces space for evasive movement — a factor for Raposo’s footwork-heavy style

INJURY REPORT & CAMP NOTES

Allan Nascimento

• No reported injuries entering fight week
• Full camp at Chute Boxe Diego Lima
• Coaches emphasize grappling transitions and back‑takes

Mitch Raposo

• No injuries reported
• Camp at Regiment Training Center with cross‑training at Lauzon MMA
• Focus on takedown defense and scrambling

FIGHTER BREAKDOWN & MATCHUP ANALYSIS

Allan “Puro Osso” Nascimento

Record: 21–7 Style: BJJ specialist, slick scrambler, pressure grappler Strengths:

• Elite back‑take ability
• Dangerous in transitions
• Strong clinch control
• Excellent cardio in grappling-heavy fights

Weaknesses:

• Limited striking power
• Can be out‑paced in stand‑up exchanges
• Sometimes too patient on the feet

Recent Form

• 3–1 in last 4 UFC fights
• Wins over strong grapplers and scramblers
• Only loss in last two years came via close decision

Path to Victory

• Force clinch exchanges
• Chain takedowns into back control
• Slow Raposo’s movement with pressure

Mitch Raposo

Record: 10–2 Style: High‑volume striker, fast footwork, scrambler Strengths:

• Fast combinations
• Excellent movement
• Solid defensive wrestling
• Good cardio and pace

Weaknesses:

• Can be controlled on the mat by elite grapplers
• Lacks finishing power at UFC level
• Sometimes overextends on combinations

Recent Form

• 2–1 in last 3 UFC fights
• Coming off a decision win showcasing improved takedown defense
• Still untested against top‑tier submission specialists

Path to Victory

• Keep fight at range
• Use lateral movement to avoid clinch
• Win rounds with volume and speed

FIGHT HISTORY & CONTEXT

• First meeting between the two
• Classic grappler vs. movement striker matchup
• Nascimento has faced higher‑level competition
• Raposo is the younger, faster fighter with more upside

BETTING TRENDS

Allan Nascimento Trends

• 7 of last 8 wins via submission
• 4 straight fights have gone Over 2.5 rounds
• 5–1 in last 6 fights as a betting favorite

Mitch Raposo Trends

• 8 of last 10 fights went to decision
• 3–1 as an underdog
• Has never been submitted

MATCHUP EDGE SUMMARY

FIGHT ODDS

Allan Nascimento            – 162

Mitch Raposo                    + 142

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, June 19, 2026