Preview: UFC on ESPN 55 Prelims

Lightweights

James Llontop (14-2, 0-0 UFC) vs. Chris Padilla (13-6, 0-0 UFC)

ODDS: Llontop (-345), Padilla (+265)

Peruvian fighters have overachieved in the UFC relative to their prior footage, so it is probably a good sign that Llontop already looks like a solid prospect. Llontop pours on the pace and aggression and looks sharp in doing so, a trend that continued in his September win on Dana White’s Contender Series, which saw him outlast Malik Lewis in what became a one-sided affair. Llontop has had multiple opponent changes ahead of this UFC debut, and the wheel eventually landed on decade-plus veteran in Padilla.

Padilla should at least meet Llontop head-on, as the Californian has typically fought behind a wrestling game in recent outings. However, he has hit his ceiling against UFC-level competition in the past, and this figures to be much the same. Padilla could make this an even fight early on, but Llontop looks capable of outlasting him and taking this over, even before factoring in the late notice. The pick is Llontop via second-round stoppage.

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