March 15, 2025 12:00 pm ET
Da’Mon Blackshear and Cody Gibson meet Saturday on the primary card of UFC Combat Evening 254 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Try this fast breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
Final occasion: 2-3
UFC major playing cards, 2025: 19-16-1
Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Cody Gibson UFC Combat Evening 254 preview
Blackshear (15-7-1 MMA, 3-3-1 UFC) is available in on the heels of a Efficiency of the Evening-earning submission of Cody Stamann in November. The consequence snapped a two-fight skid, however previous to the setbacks, Blackshear, 30, scored one other bonus-winning end: a first-round tornado on Jose Johnson. … Gibson (21-10 MMA, 3-5 UFC) enters this matchup as a winner of back-to-back fights. In July, Gibson, 37, submitted Brian Kelleher within the first spherical after which received a unanimous resolution over Chad Anheliger in November to go 2-1 in 2024.
Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Cody Gibson UFC Combat Evening 254 skilled decide, prediction
Serving as a stable motion battle at 135 kilos is a battle between Blackshear and Cody Gibson.
Each fighters a versatile in all areas and might scramble their asses off, so I’m hoping for some severe grappling motion inside the smaller octagon this Saturday.
Gibson might be the higher pocket striker with stronger wrestling fundamentals, however Blackshear is the extra inventive and dynamic athlete in all areas. Though making issues ugly within the clinch sometimes serves Gibson nicely, it’s arduous to not see it open up some opportunistic scrambles and offense for the Blackshear facet of issues.
I’m unsure both facet will produce a end, so I’ll facet with Blackshear to financial institution extra constructive positions and optics through some again management time.
The decide is Blackshear by resolution.
Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Cody Gibson UFC Combat Evening 254 odds
The oddsmakers and the general public are closely favoring the youthful fighter, itemizing Blackshear -450 and Gibson +350 through FanDuel.
Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Cody Gibson UFC Combat Evening 254 begin time, find out how to watch
Blackshear and Gibson are anticipated to stroll to the cage at roughly 8:10 p.m. ET. The battle will stream on ESPN+.
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Fight Night 254.
Remember to go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of combined martial arts.
