Previewing Adrian Yanez Vs. Vinicius Salvador

“Yo, Adrian!”

“You’re fighting at UFC Fight Night!”

That’s probably what Rocky Balboa would say to Adrian Yanez (16-5) a month ago, with his fight at UFC Apex on Saturday. The battle will be against Vinicius Salvador (14-6), a bantamweight bout that will set the tone for the division.

It features two young fighters looking to shoot up the bantamweight rankings and earn an opportunity at Sean O’Malley’s championship belt. Therefore, this fight has major implications as a stepping stone for both fighters.

So who comes out on top in this bantamweight bout? Will it be Yanez who goes full Rocky Balboa in this fight? Or will it be his Brazilian opponent who claims victory?

The Tape On Adrian Yanez

Adrian Yanez isn’t afraid to take swings at his opponents. That’s evident by his 6.15 significant strikes per minute. He’s not afraid to go for the kill in the first round, ending the fight without remorse.

However, this is a problem that Khaos Williams also has with his fighting style. Aggressive, inaccurate striking (39% of significant strikes landed) has been a problem for the American fighter. It creates opportunities for the opponent to enact their own offense, leaving Yanez open.

Luckily, he’s also a sound defensive fighter, defending 57% of significant strikes and 100% of takedowns. That will come into play against Salvador, who’s also a significant striker himself. If the 30-year-old can keep his guard up and land solid blows throughout the fight, he can end his two-match losing streak with ease.

The Tape On Vinicius Salvador

Like Adrian Yanez, Vinicius Salvador is a heavy striker. He lands 5.44 significant strikes per minute, with a heavy emphasis on finishing his opponent quickly. He does grapple on occasion, adding a little extra to his offensive repertoire.

But for Salvador to win the fight, he must land some successful blows on the American fighter. Yanez tends to bob and weave too much in his fighting, which leaves him on the defensive. That’s a golden opportunity for Salvador to continue his assault, putting him in a winning position. If he can back the 30-year-old into a corner and hammer him, this fight will be over.

The Verdict

The fight will be an all-out brawl between two formidable fighters. It’s what the average UFC fan would want, with both contestants going after each other’s throats early on. It’s also a good opportunity for the two to end their two-match losing streaks.

However, it should be Adrian Yanez who vanquishes Salvador like he was Ivan Drago. The American bantamweight is more polished and has better fighting defense, which should work in his favor. There’s an opening for the Brazilian fighter to win. But it should be Yanez winning the fight on Saturday.