A 31-year-old American who made his professional MMA debut back in 2013. Over the years, he has established himself as a technical and durable fighter, excelling both in striking and on the ground. Turcios is known for his ability to accumulate points without taking unnecessary risks, staying true to his tactical approach. Throughout his career, he has secured significant wins, including victories over fighters like Kevin Natividad, Brady Hiestand, and Kaleb Peters. However, he has also faced setbacks, losing to Raul Rosas and Aiemann Zahabi, both of whom are highly skilled and experienced competitors.
Turcios is excellent at adapting to his opponents’ styles. He can efficiently stick to his game plan, even when facing aggressive opponents. Ricky is not one to take risks, which gives him confidence in longer bouts and allows him to maintain control of the fight, as long as his opponent does not gain a clear upper hand.
A 24-year-old fighter from Sweden, Sopai started his professional MMA journey in 2016. Although his career is still in its early stages, his style is certainly worth noting. Sopai is known for his striking, but he also possesses solid wrestling skills, making him a versatile fighter. His only UFC appearance ended in a knockout loss to Vinicius Oliveira at UFC Fight Night 238. That defeat was a valuable learning experience, and it’s likely he has taken the lessons from it to become more prepared for his future challenges.
Sopai is an aggressive fighter who looks to take control early in the fight. He’s unafraid to move forward and attempt to finish the fight quickly. While this makes him dangerous, it could also work against him if his opponent proves to be more composed and experienced.
This upcoming bout between Ricky Turcios and Bernardo Sopai presents an exciting clash of styles. Sopai will surely aim to start the fight aggressively, trying to assert himself with his striking power. However, it’s important to remember that his only experience in the UFC ended in a loss. That could affect his confidence, especially if the fight goes the distance.
On the other hand, Turcios is the more experienced fighter with a more tactical approach. He has proven his ability to work effectively in both striking and grappling exchanges, and his skill in controlling fights makes him the favorite in this matchup. Ricky knows how to manage his energy and stay focused, which will likely allow him to neutralize Sopai’s aggression and control the pace of the fight.
Prediction: Ricky Turcios wins by unanimous decision. He is more likely to control the fight and handle Sopai’s aggressive approach with his superior technique and experience. Ricky will likely dictate the pace and accumulate points throughout the fight, leading to a clear decision victory.
Possible Outcome: Turcios wins a 3-round decision, unless Sopai lands a surprising, impactful strike that could result in an early stoppage.
