Preview: UFC Fight Night 177 ‘Waterson vs. Hill’ Main Card

Featherweights

Billy Quarantillo (14-2) vs. Kyle Nelson (13-3)

ODDS: Quarantillo (-255), Nelson (+215)

Between “The Ultimate Fighter” and Dana White’s Contender Series, it took Quarantillo two tries to make it to the UFC, but he has made good on the opportunity, racking up two fun wins in just as many fights inside the Octagon. Quarantillo has a dogged dedication to making his fights ugly and trying to swarm his opponents with his wrestling and grappling. That turned into an absolute clinic in his UFC debut against Jacob Kilburn, and “Billy Q” showed an ability to eat damage against Spike Carlyle before coming back for the decision win. At some point, Quarantillo’s lack of defense figures to catch up with him and get him knocked out, but thus far, it has all worked shockingly well. Canada’s Nelson represents Quarantillo’s latest challenge, and “The Monster” certainly has the tools to get the win, between his knockout power and some strong wrestling of his own. However, Nelson is a hard fighter to read, as his fights seem to rely on huge momentum swings based on how confident he feels at any one moment. When everything clicks, Nelson is a force to be reckoned with, but things tend to implode as soon as his opponents get any momentum going of their own. Nelson figures to have a hot start and should make this a tough fight throughout, but between Quarantillo’s durability and relentlessness, he should eventually take this fight over and get Nelson to fold. The pick is Quarantillo via third-round submission.

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