UGP 63: FIGHT FORECASTER

MAIN EVENT
UGP LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
© BENJI MEYERS vs #3 JORDAN PARKER
FAN POLL: Jordan Parker 65%

ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Jordan Parker by Submission, Round 4 — Call it fate, a gut feeling, or whatever, but I believe Jordan Parker is on the verge of making history. If he gets his hand raised at UGP 63, he won’t just reclaim gold, he’ll cement himself as the first-ever three-time champion in a single division in Union GP history. Parker is a day-one original, a fighter who grew up under the Union GP spotlight, having won his first title at an age when most are still cutting their teeth in regional circuits. And yet, despite the mileage of a career that started young, Parker still has plenty left in the tank. His resurgence over the past year has been incredible to watch, rattling off four straight wins, three by submission, including the 2024 Submission of the Year. Now, he faces a dangerous striker in Benji Meyers, a fighter who thrives at long range, using his length and precision to pick opponents apart. Meyers will be a problem early. His distance management, accuracy, and ability to control the tempo could force Parker into uncomfortable situations, but the deeper this fight goes, the more it tilts in Parker’s favor. His grappling is relentless, his transitions are seamless, and once he finds an opening, he doesn’t just take it, he capitalizes with ruthless efficiency. I see Parker enduring the early storm, closing the distance, and by the championship rounds, drowning Meyers in a grappling exchange he won’t escape. When it’s all said and done, we’ll be looking at a historic three-time Lightweight Champion.

KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Benji Meyers by KO, Round 5 – Has Benji Meyers’ run to and with the belt been just flawless? No, not by any stretch. Against Sadie, he was almost beaten a couple times, against Cat I thought the fight coulda been stopped at least once, but whatever you think should or shouldn’t have happened, he stands at the top of 155–and I don’t mean this disparagingly, but Jordan doesn’t bring anything to this fight, that Cat and Sadie and Maddox didn’t before. I think this’ll be one of those back and forth fights, Jordan will definitely have opportunities to win the title, but Benji’s shown remarkable defense against the biggest tool Jordan has, so I think we’ll get to the end of the fight, and we’ll see that familiar refrain of Benji finding that one opportunity and just unloading.

CO-MAIN EVENT
UGP BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
© VICTORIA MARSHALL vs #3 MANDEM
FAN POLL: MANDEM 63.2%

ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Victoria Marshall by T/KO, Round 3 — Make no mistake, this is going to be a fight. A real, gritty, knock-down, drag-out battle where every inch is contested, every exchange is earned, and neither fighter walks away unscathed. But when the dust settles, Victoria Marshall will still be holding the belt. I just don’t see it any other way. The reigning Bantamweight Champion and the pound-for-pound queen of Union GP has done nothing but evolve, sharpen, and perfect her craft. A 13-fight unbeaten streak is impressive on its own, but when you consider the level of competition she’s faced, especially against elite strikers in her last three outings, it becomes clear why she’s the most dominant force in the division. She’s seen big punchers before. She’s shut them down before. And she’ll do it again. MANDEM has that one-shot power, the kind that can turn the tide of a fight in an instant, but power only matters if you can land it, and I don’t think Marshall is going to give him that luxury. She’s too disciplined, too sharp defensively, and she thrives in fights where the margins are razor-thin. Expect her to crowd him, suffocate him with pressure, and take away the space he needs to uncork those fight-ending shots. This isn’t going to be a showcase—it’s going to be a war. It’s going to be fought in the trenches, up close, dirty, and punishing. And when it’s all said and done, I see Marshall overwhelming MANDEM, breaking him down, and forcing the stoppage by the third round. The champ retains. The streak continues. And the reign of Victoria Marshall rolls on.

KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Victoria Marshall by TKO, Round 4 – I talk about this every time Victoria comes up, but every fight she looks more and more incredible. Think back a couple years, line her up with Redd Lennox, or C.C. Flynn, or Eugenie Bombelles and nobody gives her a chance. Now, she’s probably the betting favorite against a fantastic, unorthodox striker in MANDEM. Does that mean it’s gonna be easy? Certainly not, MANDEM has fought and beat some of the best prospects and even some of the big names at 135, he’s more than earned this shot at the belt, but he’s never dealt with a wrestler like Victoria. It’ll be interesting to see how he handles the pressure and pace of someone like Victoria.

MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION
#1 VENUS SAGAPOLUTELE vs #2 ZION MOMO’A
FAN POLL: Zion Momo’a 63.2%

ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Zion Momo’a by Decision — There’s no doubt about it, this is a true number one contender’s fight, and Zion Momo’a thrives in these moments. When the stakes are at their highest, when the pressure is at its peak, “The Buzzsaw” doesn’t just show up, he delivers. And I believe he’ll do it again. Sagapolutele has been a perennial force at the top of this division, a battle-hardened veteran who has tested and broken many of the best, but Momo’a is operating with a different kind of urgency. He’s not just here to win, he’s on a mission to claim Union GP gold before his career is over, and that hunger has fueled his relentless return at Middleweight. Stylistically, this fight is pure chaos waiting to happen. Both fighters push the pace, both thrive in the fire, and both are durable as hell. Frankly, I wouldn’t be shocked if one of them finds a finish, because the level of action this fight promises makes it feel like a ticking time bomb, but something tells me these two are just too damn tough to go down easy. I see Momo’a setting a relentless pace, forcing Sagapolutele into high-volume exchanges, and winning the war of attrition over three grueling rounds. Expect brutal back and forth action, expect momentum swings, and expect an all-out brawl that leaves the crowd picking their jaws off the floor. When the scorecards are read, I believe it’ll be The Buzzsaw whose name gets called, punching his ticket to a long-awaited title shot.

KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Zion Momo’a by TKO, Round 2 – Venus has quietly racked up a great resume at 185, with her only recent loss being to Derrius Webb, but momentum is a hell of a thing and while Zion hasn’t fought a lot recently, he found his way back into a big spot by virtue of one great night against Deebo Briggs. I think he rides that momentum into a championship fight with overwhelming pace and boxing.

BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION
#8 MAGDALENA MORUGA vs MARISSA KANE
FAN POLL: Tie 50%

ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Marissa Kane by Decision — I still can’t believe this is real life. Hall of Fame legend Marissa Kane, inside a Union GP cage. It’s the fight we’ve all been waiting for, the matchup fans never thought they’d get to see — until now. While her third retirement may have cast some doubt on her return, one thing is crystal clear: Marissa Kane doesn’t come back unless she’s certain she can still compete at the highest level. Magdalena Moruga is going to be a tough test. The Mexican striker is explosive, unpredictable, and thrives in chaotic exchanges. She’ll bring the heat from the opening bell and isn’t afraid to throw down with reckless abandon. That’s exactly what makes her dangerous, her ability to disrupt, to catch opponents off guard, and to land clean in the wildest of scrambles. But here’s the thing, Marissa Kane has seen it all. All of it. Her veteran savvy, her fight IQ, and her ability to stay calm in the storm will be the key to this fight. Kane has made a career of exploiting mistakes, and Moruga’s tendency to get reckless is going to be her undoing. Kane’s ability to control the pace, keep her distance, and strike when the moment is right will shine through in this matchup. Look, Kane has been so meticulous in navigating her career, so I don’t believe she would have taken this fight if she didn’t feel she had the edge. She certainly doesn’t need the money. She’s had more than enough time to shake off any rust, and she’s always got the mindset of a champion. This won’t be an easy fight by any means, but I see Kane winning this by decision, using her poise, her calculated aggression, and her experience to weather the storm and outpoint Moruga over three hard-fought rounds. A win for the ages, and one that will remind everyone why Marissa Kane is a Hall of Famer. Someone pinch me, this still doesn’t feel real.

KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Magdalena Moruga by Decision – After starting her Union career white-hot, Mags’s momentum took a swan dive after the second loss to Redd Lennox. She’s not lost 5 of her last 6, with only a win over Ignacio Zambrano to break the streak. So why am I picking her, you might ask? Because honestly, I think this fight will be dictated by how much ring rust Marissa’s dealing with. I know fighters say it’s not a thing, but I find that really hard to believe. If those instincts aren’t as sharp as they were during the MLC years, this might be a bad night for Marissa–but if they are, everyone at 135 should be scared.

WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION
#2 CONNOR BOUCHARD vs #6 MATEO DE LEON
FAN POLL: Mateo de Leon 70.6%

ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Connor Bouchard by Decision — This is the kind of fight that shapes the future of a division. A high stakes proving ground where two hungry prospects, Connor Bouchard and Mateo de Leon, have the chance to make a statement on one of the biggest stages in the sport. The spotlight doesn’t get much brighter than a prime Main Card slot on a Supercard, and with the Welterweight division still growing into its own, this is the kind of matchup that could define its next wave of contenders. From what I’ve seen, Bouchard is the one to watch. He may only have three professional fights to his name, but you wouldn’t know it by the way he carries himself inside the cage. He fights like a veteran, showing patience, composure, and a level of strategic awareness that many prospects take years to develop. Some fighters have talent, others have skill, but Bouchard has intangibles you just can’t teach. That natural instinct, that understanding of the fight game, the kind that makes you think he’s built for this. That’s not to say de Leon won’t bring the fight to him. He’s explosive, he’s dangerous, and he’ll be looking to put Bouchard in deep waters early. However, I believe Bouchard has the ability to weather that storm, dictate the pace, and outwork de Leon over the course of three rounds. He knows when to press forward, when to pull back, and how to make the right adjustments mid-fight. Those little details make all the difference in a razor-close matchup like this. It won’t be an easy fight, but I see Bouchard executing a disciplined, well rounded performance, controlling the exchanges, and showing why he’s a future force at 170 pounds. When the scorecards are read, I expect his hand to be raised.

KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Connor Bouchard by Decision – I don’t think either guy is just overwhelmingly better than the other in any particular area, but I think Connor has felt like a more well-rounded fighter, even in his defeat to Kirk Jenkins. I imagine a slow, deliberate pace that grinds Mateo down into a comfortable, if less than convincing, decision win.

FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION
#8 RYO MITSUNARI vs #9 VERONA JIMENEZ
FAN POLL: Ryo Mitsunari 52.9%
ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Verona Jimenez by T/KO, Round 3
KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Verona Jimenez by Decision

WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION
#8 ROBIN KELSON vs #9 ALFIE O’SHEA
FAN POLL: Robin Kelson 52.6%
ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Robin Kelson by Decision 
KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Robin Kelson by TKO, Round 2

LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION
#8 TREVOR MARTIN vs MASATO ENDO
FAN POLL: Trevor Martin 66.7%
ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Trevor Martin by T/KO, Round 2
KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Trevor Martin by Submission, Round 3

FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION
#10 AYUMI HIKARI vs MARIO MORA
FAN POLL: Ayumi Hikari 55.6%
ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Ayumi Hikari by Decision 
KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Mario Mora by TKO, Round 2

MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION
KRISTOPHE CERULLI vs REECE PARKER
FAN POLL: Kristophe Cerulli 81%
ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Kristophe Cerulli by Decision
KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Kristophe Cerulli by Decision

BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION
MEIGUI BLACKMAN vs XIA YAN
FAN POLL: Meigui Blackman 73.7%
ISAAC’S PREDICTION: Xia Yan by T/KO, Round 3
KAYLA’S PREDICTION: Meigui Blackman by TKO, Round 2

2024 PREDICTION RECORD
Kayla Chapman 71-31 | Isaac Cohen 51-51