Miles Johns (15-2)
At 30 years old, Miles Johns has built a solid UFC career, showcasing his ability to grind out victories through disciplined striking and wrestling. With 9 decision wins, Johns is known for his ability to control the pace and avoid major risks. He has a respectable knockout game with 4 KO/TKOs but prefers to rely on his cardio and wrestling to wear down his opponents over the course of a fight. His biggest vulnerability lies in his submission defense, which was exposed in his loss to John Castaneda via submission. Johns' ability to adapt and avoid dangerous submission attempts will be crucial in this fight.
Last Five Fights:
* Win vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade – Decision (Unanimous) at UFC on ESPN 58 (Jun 15, 2024)
* Win vs. Cody Gibson – Decision (Unanimous) at UFC on ESPN 53 (Mar 23, 2024)
* No Contest vs. Dan Argueta – NC at UFC Fight Night 228 (Sep 23, 2023)
* Win vs. Vince Morales – Decision (Unanimous) at UFC Fight Night 215 (Nov 19, 2022)
* Loss vs. John Castaneda – Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) at UFC Fight Night 200 (Feb 5, 2022)
Felipe Lima (13-1)
Felipe Lima, at 26, is an emerging talent with a well-rounded skill set, particularly excelling in submissions. His 3 submission victories demonstrate his ability to control opponents on the ground, while his 4 KO/TKO wins indicate he is dangerous in the striking department as well. Lima has shown tremendous potential with a dominant win streak and a standout submission victory in his most recent fight. His only career loss came early, which speaks to his overall development and adaptability. Lima will need to avoid being outwrestled by Johns, but if he can get the fight to the ground, his submission skills could be the difference-maker.
Last Five Fights:
* Win vs. Muhammadjon Naimov – Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at UFC on ABC 6 (Jun 22, 2024)
* Win vs. Jonas Magard – Decision (Unanimous) at Oktagon MMA 45 (Jul 28, 2023)
* Win vs. Evgeniy Odnorog – KO (Flying Knee) at FCR 10 (Nov 20, 2021)
* Win vs. Fernando Flores – Decision (Unanimous) at FCR 8 (Mar 6, 2021)
* Win vs. Farbod Iran Nezhad – Decision (Unanimous) at Brave CF 39 (Aug 15, 2020)
Prediction
This fight is likely to be a strategic battle with Johns looking to use his wrestling and control to neutralize Lima’s dynamic striking and submission game. While Johns has a significant advantage in terms of experience and decision-making, Lima's dangerous ground game and submission threats make him a serious threat. If Lima can avoid being controlled on the ground and find a way to create space for his submission attempts, he could pull off a victory.
However, Johns’ well-rounded approach and ability to dictate the pace will likely prove too much for Lima, as he can neutralize Lima’s submissions with superior wrestling. Expect Johns to take Lima down, control the position, and avoid being caught in a submission.
Pick: Miles Johns by unanimous decision.
