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SEATTLE — UFC is back in the Pacific Northwest for the second time in 13 months, as opposed to its previous 12-year absence. Similar to last year, a former champion headlines in an attempt to turn back a hungry rising contender.
Israel Adesanya and Joe Pyfer have gone in opposite directions in their last three fights. The former two-time middleweight champion Adesanya has failed to find victory since being dethroned by Sean Strickland in September 2023. The loss started the slide of the "Last Stylebender," while Philadelphia's Pyfer has found his stride following his first main event effort against Jack Hermansson in 2024. A Pyfer win would further shuffle the 185-pound deck, but Adesanya has only lost to the cream of the crop, making him a pivotal guard to the division's elite.
The co-main event features a long-awaited rematch between flyweight's finest. Former champion Alexa Grasso will once again square off with Maycee Barber, who hasn't lost since her defeat to Grasso, winning seven straight. Barber is highly confident that a win will secure her first title shot, but her old foe has other plans.
For a Fight Night event, Seattle gets somewhat spoiled two years in a row. Name value and quality matchmaking balances out the evening from the jump, and closes out with a main event that can tell us plenty about each fighter.
UFC Seattle’s lineup Crown grade: B-.
Betting odds via BetMGM.
Joe Pyfer has his toughest test in front of him in his second-career UFC main event. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / Reuters
From Adesanya's lens, one fight that popped into my head draws a similarity to this one. Remember the Paulo Costa bout?
There's something there, folks.
Don't get me wrong. Pyfer and Costa aren't that similar, outside of having tremendous punching power. Physically, Pyfer has appeared to be a much more opposing figure, able to chuck opponents around the Octagon like sacks of potatoes if he gets hold of them. However, against someone as technically sound and sharp as the all-time great Adesanya, we've seen aggressors run into serious problems. That's what makes this fight compelling.
Adesanya suffered a stunning stoppage loss to Nassourdine Imavov in his last time out. But before that, he looked as great and on point as ever. No steps have been lost with Adesanya. His chin, arguably, has finally taken enough — and that was against a less powerful striker than Pyfer.
The Costa fight was a near-effortless masterclass from Adesanya, and as a striker, Pyfer has proven to have fewer dimensions than Costa. That could play in his favor by mixing in wrestling sequences. But for the most part, he'll have to overcome Adesanya's precise counter game and close the distance at every chance. Take some to land one. Pyfer has that nuclear option. He just needs to land it.
In terms of competition quality, this matchup is a comfortable step down for Adesanya and the converse for Pyfer. Adesanya has to avoid danger, but more often than not, he's been well-capable at a much higher level than Pyfer has shown — so far.
Pick: Adesanya
Part two comes with a lot more at stake for these two.
Grasso remains one of the cleanest boxers in the division, thriving on timing, composure, and the ability to capitalize on mistakes. That's precisely what led her to a clean win over the young Barber and a title run. The Mexican proved she can hang at the very top, but it also showed the fine margins she operates within, resulting in three straight fights without a win. When she’s dictating range and pace, Grasso looks sharp. When she’s forced backward, things get trickier, but her defense is often sound, as initially highlighted in the first Barber bout.
Barber is the opposite kind of problem. The “Future” has leaned fully into a pressure-heavy, physical style throughout her career, bullying opponents with forward movement, clinch work, and steady volume. It’s not always pretty, but it’s effective — and, in the past, it has swayed judges when fights get close.
The first meeting showed just how competitive this matchup is. Grasso had success in the cleaner moments, but Barber’s aggression and physicality made it uncomfortable throughout. That dynamic likely doesn’t change too much here.
Seeing Barber face-to-face on media day admittedly caused concerns. She had the look of someone visibly struggling to get through their weight cut — but that's not exactly new for Barber. So, does it play a factor? I lean towards no based on her track record.
If Grasso can keep this at range and maintain her rhythm, she has the tools to edge another technical fight. But if Barber turns it into a grind — backing her up, mixing in clinch work, and forcing exchanges — it starts to tilt in her favor. Overall, Barber has just tightened up her game and her approach to detailed situations.
Expect a closer fight than the first, but one that sees redemption for Barber.
Pick: Barber
OK, there's not a lot to say about the final fight of Michael Chiesa's career.
"The Maverick" has received quite a lay-up for his send-off after Carlston Harris withdrew. Although Price is a perpetually thrilling fighter, that's become more thanks to his ability to "get got" than he's delivered. I mean, just a month ago, he was eviscerated by Nikolay Veretennikov under two minutes. The man has nine kids to feed. Can we blame him for taking a short-notice opportunity of any kind?
Luckily for Price, Chiesa has never knocked out a soul and has a wildly low strike count per UFC fight. However, Price will take a brief nap after getting easily taken down and submitted, likely in the first round. This is Chiesa's night at home. No bones about it.
Pick: Chiesa
Rarely does Julian Erosa fail to deliver in the entertainment category. (Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
As far as the world knows, Julian Erosa is allergic to the word "boring." The lanky veteran has made a career out of chaotic, high-action scraps, leaning on his durability — occasionally too much. But that's great from a fan perspective. His submission instincts and sheer willingness to stay in the fire longer than most make him a must-see no matter the opponent.
That approach has kept Erosa relevant as an entertainer, but not yet as a contender. He leaves plenty of openings and is far too hittable for his own good, which is always the risk when your fights tend to spiral into madness.
Lerryan Douglas steps in as the unknown variable, the kind of opponent who can either get overwhelmed by Erosa’s pace or capitalize on the chaos. If he’s composed and picks his spots, those defensive gaps are there to exploit. Known as the "Gunslinger," he's been pretty capable of doing so in his career to this point.
Still, this is Erosa’s world. If things get wild — and they usually do — he’s the one more comfortable navigating the mess. Call it a coin flip, but I'm taking "Juicy J" in a home game.
Pick: Erosa
Mansur Abdul-Malik’s game is pretty straightforward: Pressure, physicality, and make it uncomfortable. He’s at his best when opponents don’t get time to think.
Yousri Belgaroui is the opposite. The kickboxing specialist wants space and rhythm — the kind of fight where his striking can shine without disruption, and that bodes better for him in this matchup than oddsmakers expect. At the same time, he's received plenty of respect, given how tight the moneylines are.
This is a decent step-up from Abdul-Malik's last so many opponents, and his general ability to close distance and make a fight nasty may not present itself the same way. Belgaroui is primed to play spoiler on the undefeated prospect, and his sharpness has shone through years of kickboxing experience.
It's another tough fight to pick, but that's a good thing. And in the end, Belgaroui has seen more variety in striking threats than his rising foe.
Pick: Belgaroui
It's a Terrance McKinney fight. Fights don't need less assessment than his. Either he or Kyle Nelson is getting finished in the first round — most likely via strikes — and again, we're practically flipping a coin.
Nelson, while not the most durable guy in the world, has been a much more reliably durable fighter than McKinney — thanks to his style not being McKinney's. So, yeah. Give me the Canadian here.
Pick: Nelson
Tofiq Musayev has a point to prove after coming up short in his UFC debut. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)
Ed Mulholland via Getty Images
Former RIZIN lightweight champion Tofiq Musayev enters his sophomore UFC appearance with another certified killer in his way. This time, it's Ignacio Bahomondes, who also looks to rebound after a setback in his first contender clash against Rafael Fiziev. Musayev's debut was under short-notice circumstances opposite a much larger — weight missing — Myktybek Orolbai. It was a far cry performance from what Musayev is capable of, and a fight with Bahomondes promises some excellent action, regardless of the winner.
Casey O'Neill is back after another lengthy layoff, looking to reinsert herself into the flyweight conversation. "King"' is still just 28 years old and has plenty left to prove in a division loaded with talented prospects. Although she's been out for two years, she will enter the Octagon off a win, making her path back into notable matchups all the more realistic at a rapid rate.
Throw in names like Lance Gibson Jr., Chase Hooper, Navajo Stirling, Adrian Yanez and Ricky Simon, and UFC Seattle is rich with more quality we've seen on recent Fight Night cards.
Quick picks:
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Israel Adesanya and Joe Pyfer have gone in opposite directions in their last three fights. The former two-time middleweight champion Adesanya has failed to find victory since being dethroned by Sean Strickland in September 2023. The loss started the slide of the "Last Stylebender," while Philadelphia's Pyfer has found his stride following his first main event effort against Jack Hermansson in 2024. A Pyfer win would further shuffle the 185-pound deck, but Adesanya has only lost to the cream of the crop, making him a pivotal guard to the division's elite.
The co-main event features a long-awaited rematch between flyweight's finest. Former champion Alexa Grasso will once again square off with Maycee Barber, who hasn't lost since her defeat to Grasso, winning seven straight. Barber is highly confident that a win will secure her first title shot, but her old foe has other plans.
For a Fight Night event, Seattle gets somewhat spoiled two years in a row. Name value and quality matchmaking balances out the evening from the jump, and closes out with a main event that can tell us plenty about each fighter.
UFC Seattle’s lineup Crown grade: B-.
Betting odds via BetMGM.
You must be registered for see images attach
Joe Pyfer has his toughest test in front of him in his second-career UFC main event. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / Reuters
185 pounds: Israel Adesanya (-250) vs. Joe Pyfer (+125)
From Adesanya's lens, one fight that popped into my head draws a similarity to this one. Remember the Paulo Costa bout?
There's something there, folks.
Don't get me wrong. Pyfer and Costa aren't that similar, outside of having tremendous punching power. Physically, Pyfer has appeared to be a much more opposing figure, able to chuck opponents around the Octagon like sacks of potatoes if he gets hold of them. However, against someone as technically sound and sharp as the all-time great Adesanya, we've seen aggressors run into serious problems. That's what makes this fight compelling.
Adesanya suffered a stunning stoppage loss to Nassourdine Imavov in his last time out. But before that, he looked as great and on point as ever. No steps have been lost with Adesanya. His chin, arguably, has finally taken enough — and that was against a less powerful striker than Pyfer.
The Costa fight was a near-effortless masterclass from Adesanya, and as a striker, Pyfer has proven to have fewer dimensions than Costa. That could play in his favor by mixing in wrestling sequences. But for the most part, he'll have to overcome Adesanya's precise counter game and close the distance at every chance. Take some to land one. Pyfer has that nuclear option. He just needs to land it.
In terms of competition quality, this matchup is a comfortable step down for Adesanya and the converse for Pyfer. Adesanya has to avoid danger, but more often than not, he's been well-capable at a much higher level than Pyfer has shown — so far.
Pick: Adesanya
125 pounds: Alexa Grasso (+150) vs. Maycee Barber (-185)
Part two comes with a lot more at stake for these two.
Grasso remains one of the cleanest boxers in the division, thriving on timing, composure, and the ability to capitalize on mistakes. That's precisely what led her to a clean win over the young Barber and a title run. The Mexican proved she can hang at the very top, but it also showed the fine margins she operates within, resulting in three straight fights without a win. When she’s dictating range and pace, Grasso looks sharp. When she’s forced backward, things get trickier, but her defense is often sound, as initially highlighted in the first Barber bout.
Barber is the opposite kind of problem. The “Future” has leaned fully into a pressure-heavy, physical style throughout her career, bullying opponents with forward movement, clinch work, and steady volume. It’s not always pretty, but it’s effective — and, in the past, it has swayed judges when fights get close.
The first meeting showed just how competitive this matchup is. Grasso had success in the cleaner moments, but Barber’s aggression and physicality made it uncomfortable throughout. That dynamic likely doesn’t change too much here.
Seeing Barber face-to-face on media day admittedly caused concerns. She had the look of someone visibly struggling to get through their weight cut — but that's not exactly new for Barber. So, does it play a factor? I lean towards no based on her track record.
If Grasso can keep this at range and maintain her rhythm, she has the tools to edge another technical fight. But if Barber turns it into a grind — backing her up, mixing in clinch work, and forcing exchanges — it starts to tilt in her favor. Overall, Barber has just tightened up her game and her approach to detailed situations.
Expect a closer fight than the first, but one that sees redemption for Barber.
Pick: Barber
170 pounds: Michael Chiesa (-900) vs. Niko Price (+600)
OK, there's not a lot to say about the final fight of Michael Chiesa's career.
"The Maverick" has received quite a lay-up for his send-off after Carlston Harris withdrew. Although Price is a perpetually thrilling fighter, that's become more thanks to his ability to "get got" than he's delivered. I mean, just a month ago, he was eviscerated by Nikolay Veretennikov under two minutes. The man has nine kids to feed. Can we blame him for taking a short-notice opportunity of any kind?
Luckily for Price, Chiesa has never knocked out a soul and has a wildly low strike count per UFC fight. However, Price will take a brief nap after getting easily taken down and submitted, likely in the first round. This is Chiesa's night at home. No bones about it.
Pick: Chiesa
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Rarely does Julian Erosa fail to deliver in the entertainment category. (Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
145 pounds: Julian Erosa (+260) vs. Lerryan Douglas (-325)
As far as the world knows, Julian Erosa is allergic to the word "boring." The lanky veteran has made a career out of chaotic, high-action scraps, leaning on his durability — occasionally too much. But that's great from a fan perspective. His submission instincts and sheer willingness to stay in the fire longer than most make him a must-see no matter the opponent.
That approach has kept Erosa relevant as an entertainer, but not yet as a contender. He leaves plenty of openings and is far too hittable for his own good, which is always the risk when your fights tend to spiral into madness.
Lerryan Douglas steps in as the unknown variable, the kind of opponent who can either get overwhelmed by Erosa’s pace or capitalize on the chaos. If he’s composed and picks his spots, those defensive gaps are there to exploit. Known as the "Gunslinger," he's been pretty capable of doing so in his career to this point.
Still, this is Erosa’s world. If things get wild — and they usually do — he’s the one more comfortable navigating the mess. Call it a coin flip, but I'm taking "Juicy J" in a home game.
Pick: Erosa
185 pounds: Mansur Abdul-Malik (-120) vs. Yousri Belgaroui (+100)
Mansur Abdul-Malik’s game is pretty straightforward: Pressure, physicality, and make it uncomfortable. He’s at his best when opponents don’t get time to think.
Yousri Belgaroui is the opposite. The kickboxing specialist wants space and rhythm — the kind of fight where his striking can shine without disruption, and that bodes better for him in this matchup than oddsmakers expect. At the same time, he's received plenty of respect, given how tight the moneylines are.
This is a decent step-up from Abdul-Malik's last so many opponents, and his general ability to close distance and make a fight nasty may not present itself the same way. Belgaroui is primed to play spoiler on the undefeated prospect, and his sharpness has shone through years of kickboxing experience.
It's another tough fight to pick, but that's a good thing. And in the end, Belgaroui has seen more variety in striking threats than his rising foe.
Pick: Belgaroui
155 pounds: Terrance McKinney (-190) vs. Kyle Nelson (+155)
It's a Terrance McKinney fight. Fights don't need less assessment than his. Either he or Kyle Nelson is getting finished in the first round — most likely via strikes — and again, we're practically flipping a coin.
Nelson, while not the most durable guy in the world, has been a much more reliably durable fighter than McKinney — thanks to his style not being McKinney's. So, yeah. Give me the Canadian here.
Pick: Nelson
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Tofiq Musayev has a point to prove after coming up short in his UFC debut. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)
Ed Mulholland via Getty Images
Preliminary Notes
Former RIZIN lightweight champion Tofiq Musayev enters his sophomore UFC appearance with another certified killer in his way. This time, it's Ignacio Bahomondes, who also looks to rebound after a setback in his first contender clash against Rafael Fiziev. Musayev's debut was under short-notice circumstances opposite a much larger — weight missing — Myktybek Orolbai. It was a far cry performance from what Musayev is capable of, and a fight with Bahomondes promises some excellent action, regardless of the winner.
Casey O'Neill is back after another lengthy layoff, looking to reinsert herself into the flyweight conversation. "King"' is still just 28 years old and has plenty left to prove in a division loaded with talented prospects. Although she's been out for two years, she will enter the Octagon off a win, making her path back into notable matchups all the more realistic at a rapid rate.
Throw in names like Lance Gibson Jr., Chase Hooper, Navajo Stirling, Adrian Yanez and Ricky Simon, and UFC Seattle is rich with more quality we've seen on recent Fight Night cards.
Quick picks:
Tofiq Musayev (+240) def. Ignacio Bahamondes (-300)
Lance Gibson Jr. (+230) def. Chase Hooper (-285)
Tyrell Fortune (-145) def. Marcin Tybura (+120)
Casey O’Neill (-115) def. Gabriella Fernandes (-105)
Navajo Stirling (-700) def. Bruno Lopes (+500)
Adrian Yañez (+120) def. Ricky Simón (-145)
Alexia Thainara (-800) def. Bruna Brasil (+550)
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