The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will offer additional “Prelims” bouts to ABC/ESPN and ESPN+ this weekend (Saturday, July 30, 2022) with UFC 277: “Pena vs. Nunes 2” at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Patrick Stumberg of MMAmania.com begins the UFC 277 “Prelims” party with the second (and final) chapter of a two-part undercard preview series below.
UFC 277 Prelims
1. Welterweight Division: Alex Morono vs. Matthew Semelsberger
| Alex “The Great White” Morono | TALE OF THE TAPE | Matt “Semi The Jedi” Semelsberger |
| 31 | Age | 29 |
| 5‘11“ (180cm) | Height | 6‘1“ (185cm) |
| 72.0 ” (183cm) | Reach | 75.0” (191cm) |
| United States | Nation | United States |
| Gracie Barra Woodlands | Team | Crazy 88 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu |
| Unranked | Rank | Unranked |
| 21-7-0-1 NC | Record | 10-3-0 |
| 3 Wins | Current Streak | 2 Wins |
Alex Morono is perhaps in the greatest shape of his career, riding a three-fight winning run that began with a first-round TKO over UFC icon Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, before going on to win two consecutive unanimous decisions over David Zawada and Mickey Gall.
“The Great White” is a fifteen-fight veteran of the organisation who has been in the UFC since 2016, with a 10-4-0 record with one no contest.
2. Drew Dober vs Rafael Alves – Lightweight Division
| Drew Dober | TALE OF THE TAPE | Rafael “The Turn” Alves |
| 33 | Age | 31 |
| 5‘8“ (173cm) | Height | 5‘8“ (173cm) |
| 70.0” (178cm) | Reach | 68.0” (173cm) |
| United States | Nation | Brazil |
| Elevation Fight Team | Team | MMA Masters |
| Unranked | Rank | Unranked |
| 24-11-0-1 NC | Record | 20-10-0 |
| 1 Win | Current Streak | 1 Win |
Overall, Alex Morono is a point fighter who has won the great majority of his bouts by unanimous decision rather than via KO or submission.
Matt Semelsberger began his UFc career with a two-bout winning run, defeating Carlton Minus by majority decision before knocking out Jason Witt in the first round of his second UFC battle.
3. Don’Tale Mayes vs Hamdy Abdelwahab – Heavyweight Division
| Don’Tale “Lord Kong” Mayes | TALE OF THE TAPE | Hamdy “The Hammer” Abdelwahab |
| 30 | Age | 29 |
| 6‘6“ (198cm) | Height | 6‘2“ (188cm) |
| 81.0” (206cm) | Reach | 73.0” (185cm) |
| United States | Nation | Egypt |
| Bronx Hill MMA | Team | Killer B Combat Sports |
| Unranked | Rank | Unranked |
| 9-4-0 | Record | 5-0-0 |
| 2 Wins | Current Streak | 5 Wins |
Semelsberger’s first UFC defeat came in 2021, when he was beaten by Khoas Williams by unanimous decision.
“Semi The Jedi” quickly recovered from his defeat, knocking out Martin Sano in round one before winning a unanimous decision against AJ Fletcher in his most recent fight.
4. Rafa Garcia vs Drakkar Klose – Lightweight Division
| “Gifted” Rafa Garcia | TALE OF THE TAPE | Drakkar Klose |
| 27 | Age | 34 |
| 5‘7“ (170cm) | Height | 5‘9“ (175cm) |
| 68.0” (173cm) | Reach | 70.0” (178cm) |
| Mexico | Nation | United States |
| Team Punisher | Team | Fight Ready MMA |
| Unranked | Rank | Unranked |
| 14-2-0 | Record | 12-2-1 |
| 2 Wins | Current Streak | 1 Win |
Expect Semelsberger to put Morono under strain early in order to win the opening two rounds and seal a decision victory.
The main event is a rematch of Julianna Pena vs. Amanda Nunes for Pena’s UFC Bantamweight belt. Pena stunned Nunes in their last fight by defeating him through submission.
Brandon Moreno will fight Kai Kara-France in the co-main event, hoping to capture the interim Flyweight title and earn another opportunity against Deiveson Feigeiredo. Moreno triumphed in their last meeting 30 months ago.
Derrick Lewis will face resurgent Sergei Pavlovich in a heavyweight contest for another shot at the belt. Alex Perez will attempt to put the last 18 months behind him as he competes to become a championship challenger against Alexandre Pantoja. Magomed Anakalev will square off against Anthony Smith in the Light Heavyweight class to kick off the main show.
Tune in as we bring you the full results from UFC 277: Pena vs Nunes 2 PPV, including early prelims, prelims, and the main event.
