Jonathan Martinez has a close eye on UFC 280.
The rising UFC bantamweight will be paying close attention to what goes down on Saturday’s UFC pay-per-view in Abu Dhabi. Not only is it one of the most stacked events of the year, but it also hosts a pair of 135-pound contests that hold plenty of significance for the division.
In the co-main event of the card, champion Aljamain Sterling attempts to defend his belt against ex-champ T.J. Dillashaw. And Martinez (17-4 MMA, 8-3 UFC) thinks there’s going to be a new king at the top of the weight class.
“I think we’re going to see a new champion,” Martinez told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “I don’t see (Sterling) holding him on the ground, which is what he’s good at, taking the back. I think T.J. is going to be the winner. I don’t know how, but I think he’s going to win.”
But despite thinking Dillashaw is going to reclaim the UFC bantamweight belt, Martinez doesn’t see him being champion for long.
“I think he wins it, but he won’t defend it,” Martinez explained. “That’s how I see it. He has it tough. He’s also up in age, and he’s not who he was when he started. I do think he’s going to win it, but I don’t think he’ll defend it.”
And in the other bantamweight bout on the UFC 280 main card, Petr Yan takes on rising UFC star Sean O’Malley. Martinez thinks O’Malley is a good fighter and will give him his credit, but doesn’t think he’s good enough to beat Yan.
“Yeah, (I was surprised he got the fight), but it’s also the fame,” Martinez said. “All the guys that can beat him, he skipped all of them and went straight to No. 1.
“I think Petr wins. I think he’s going to beat him. I don’t think it will be tough for him. Yeah, (O’Malley) is long, but (Yan) knows what to do to win.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 280.
