Preview: UFC Fight Night 192 Prelims

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Lightweights

NR | Nikolas Motta (12-3, 0-0 UFC) vs. NR | Cameron VanCamp (15-5-1, 0-0 UFC)

ODDS: Motta (-310), VanCamp (+245)

Brazil’s Motta has been on the UFC radar for a while, at least going back to 2015, when he had a brief stint on the final season of “The Ultimate Fighter Brazil.” However, things did not come together for Motta to earn a contract until 2020, when he scored a decision win over Joseph Lowry on Dana White’s Contender Series. Motta is not a particularly varied fighter in his approach, but what he does definitely works; he is willing to throw strikes and does so with plenty of power. That lack of depth can get exposed at points, which would have made for an interesting matchup in a big spot against Jim Miller—Motta’s initial assignment. With Miller out, Motta now faces late replacement Cameron VanCamp. Wielding a solid regional resume, VanCamp presents his own challenge, though not nearly at the level of someone as accomplished as Miller. A generalist in terms of skill, VanCamp usually finds his best success with his wrestling and grappling. He tends to initiate things, but even when he has been reversed, he has been able to get some wins by hunting for submissions. That could work here, as Motta is not a bulletproof fighter defensively and VanCamp may have a strength advantage. He appeared to be a solidly built welterweight in his most recent bouts, and this marks his first cut down to lightweight since 2018. Still, VanCamp can also get backed up, and it is difficult not to predict that Motta’s power can get him off his game and carry him to victory. The pick is Motta via second-round stoppage.

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