UFC Vegas 106 Preview
Las Vegas is once again the epicenter of violence this weekend as the UFC returns to the APEX facility for UFC Vegas 106. Headlined by a compelling clash between fan-favorite veteran Gilbert “Durinho” Burns and undefeated rising star Michael Morales, this card is a collision of waves from two very different tides: proven grit meeting untested potential. Buckle up. Saturday night might just hit harder than a Masvidal flying knee.
Burns vs. Morales: Changing of the Guard or Timeless Grit?
Gilbert Burns (22-7) has long been the litmus test for those looking to step into elite welterweight waters. The 37-year-old Brazilian brings a wealth of experience, a bronze-plated grappling resume, and a reputation for absorbing adversity and swinging back harder. Though he’s coming off a tough loss to Jack Della Maddalena, it’s never wise to count him outparticularly when he smells blood.
Enter Michael Morales (16-0), the 24-year-old Ecuadorian phenom who’s ransacking the division with poise and power beyond his years. Undefeated in four UFC appearances, Morales is an intriguing package of athleticism, controlled aggression, and a chilling finishing instinct. But Saturday night is a different beast. It’s his biggest test yet by every metric imaginable. For Morales, it’s not just about staying unbeatenit’s about proving he belongs.
This is the kind of matchup that defines trajectories. Does Morales stamp his place among welterweight royalty? Does Burns hold the gate and show yet another hungry lion how steep this climb really is?
Co-Main Sizzle: Ivana Petrovic vs. Luana Carolina
In the co-main event, we shift weight classes and go global. Norwegian striker Ivana Petrovic is set to toe the line against Brazil’s own Luana Carolina. Petrovic, known for her explosive combinations and granite chin, is seeking to make a statement and climb toward top-15 contention. Carolina, on the other hand, is looking to rebound after a few turbulent performances that cast a shadow on her potential. Both women have something to proveand nothing to lose.
Keep Your Eyes On: They Came to Steal the Show
- Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Robelis Despaigne – In the land of heavy hands and heavier frames, this heavyweight clash promises violence. Cortes-Acosta brings power with patience, while Despaigne is a Cuban wrecking ball who rarely needs more than a round to clock out.
- Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Themba Gorimbo – Grappling fans, rejoice. Brahimaj’s submission game is both dangerous and dramatic, while Gorimbo steps in carrying momentumand a shoulder chip the size of his homeland of Zimbabwe.
One of the real joys of APEX cards is discovering fighters to watch before the rest of the world catches on. Saturday promises a few breakout performances.
Full Fight Card for UFC Vegas 106
Main Card (ESPN+) – 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT
- Welterweight: Gilbert Burns vs. Michael Morales
- Women’s Flyweight: Ivana Petrovic vs. Luana Carolina
- Heavyweight: Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Robelis Despaigne
- Welterweight: Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Themba Gorimbo
Prelims (ESPN+) – 4 PM ET / 1 PM PT
- Light Heavyweight: Oumar Sy vs. Tuco Tokkos
- Women’s Bantamweight: Tainara Lisboa vs. Montserrat Rendon
- Strawweight: Eduarda Moura vs. Denise Gomes
- Flyweight: Clayton Carpenter vs. Stephen Erceg
- Bantamweight: Josefine Knutsson vs. Ernesta Kareckaite
How to Watch UFC Vegas 106
The entire card streams exclusively on ESPN+. If you’re one of the few left unscrambled by multiple subscriptions, logging in should be a breeze. Prelims kick things off at 4 p.m. Eastern, while the main card steps up at 7 p.m. ET.
Tip: If you plan to witness Burns vs. Morales go live, get your snacks earlythe APEX cage waits for no man, woman, or bandwidth buffer.
Final Thoughts: Knockouts, Newcomers, and Narratives
UFC Vegas 106 has all the ingredients of a classic APEX bangera high-stakes main event with real rankings consequences, hungry prospects looking to make names, and a few heavy hitters tossed in for good measure. While not stacked with big-name star power, this lineup offers a rich stew of relevance and potential violence. And remember: some of the wildest UFC moments came in these small-room, no-frills environments.
So whether you’re a hardcore fan tracking every shift in the welterweight division or just looking for a Saturday night adrenaline rush, UFC Vegas 106 won’t disappoint. Watch closelythese under-the-radar cards have a knack for birthing the next big star.
