Preview: UFC on ESPN 62 Prelims

Lightweights

Viacheslav Borshchev (7-4-1, 2-3-1 UFC) vs. James Llontop (14-3, 0-1 UFC)

ODDS: Borshchev (-238), Llontop (+195)

This should be an entertaining banger. Ahead of his UFC debut in April, Llontop looked to fit in with the ranks of successful Peruvians who have hit the promotion in recent years. The country has gained a reputation for developing fighters who get through on durability, aggression and strong cardio, and “Goku” certainly fit that mold in his contract-earning win on the Contender Series. With that context, his debut wound up quite deflating. Journeyman wrestler Chris Padilla stepped in on short notice for what figured to be a likely Llontop win. Instead, Padilla got Llontop to the mat and scored a submission within a round. At the very least, that lack of takedown defense doesn’t figure to be a concern against a pure striker in Borshchev. “Slava Claus” manages to run counter to all the typical narratives about a Team Alpha Male fighter, as he’s a fun and crafty striker who has offered little once his fights go to the mat. Borshchev even manages to find himself in trouble on the feet at times. Opponents usually need to have a takedown threat to back things up, but they have found success by simply rushing Borshchev and catching him off-guard before he can prepare a counter. That would be the winning dynamic for Llontop, but the read is that Borshchev will at least get enough time and space to work and land the hardest strikes of the bout as these two trade shots for three rounds. The pick is Borshchev via decision.

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