In the main event of UFC Vegas 33, two of the middleweight division’s most intriguing contenders in Uriah Hall and Sean Strickland face off in a battle of top fifteen standouts.

Uriah Hall vs Sean Strickland UFC Vegas 33 preview

Hall, 36, has won four straight fights following a 2018 knockout loss to Paulo Costa and appears to have finally put it all together. In his most recent bouts, he picked up decision wins over legends and former UFC middleweight champions in Chris Weidman and Anderson Silva, respectively.

A former The Ultimate Fighter Season 17 finalist, Hall was regarded by many as a top prospect and potential future champion thanks to his creative and dangerous striking arsenal. However, a championship run never materialized. Entering this fight with Strickland, the time might be now for the Jamaican-born New Yorker.

Strickland, 30, returned to MMA in 2020 following a two-year layoff brought about by serious injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident. He’s been brilliant since, scoring three straight wins and positioning himself inside the division’s top fifteen.

After a decision win over Jack Marshman at the UFC Apex that vaulted him back into action, Strickland dispatched top prospect, Brendan Allen, via second-round technical knockout just a month later, and priming him for a bit 2021.

“Tarzan” won the first bout of his 2021 campaign with a unanimous decision over Krzysztof Jotko in May. Strickland will look to steal Hall’s momentum and break into the elusive Top 10 by scoring a W on Saturday night.

UFC Vegas 33 takes place on July 31, from inside the UFC Apex, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The preliminary portion of the card begins at 6 pm ET. Main card action follows at 9 pm ET. The event will air on ESPN and streaming service ESPN+.

–Field Level Media