I’m changing disciplines this week from football to MMA, precisely to preview the UFC Fight Night bout between Neil Magny vs Elizeu Zaleski in the welterweight division. This is one of the quick cards serving as a build-up to the main event, Taira vs. Park. The oddsmakers like Zaleski, but I’m here to tell you why you shouldn’t sleep on Neil Magny.
The Underdog’s Edge: Neil Magny AKA “Haitian Sensation”
Magny has been the face of the welterweight class forever. He has an amazing 29-13-0 record. That’s a whole lot of fights, a lot of travel. He’s faced lots of tough competition and recorded some losses recently. Getting beaten up by Michael Morales and Carlos Prates is a bad break. And he just beat Mike Malott in January 2024. That win proved his resilience. He knocked Malott out in round three.
Magny’s biggest strength? His reach. At 80 inches, he has a staggering difference from Zaleski’s 73 inches. That’s seven inches! That reach allows him to control distance and also build his grappling, which is where he shines. His takedown average stands at 2.12 per 15 minutes. His takedown rate is 38%. Not very high, but consistent. Most notably, his takedown defense is 53%. He knows how to not get taken down, but also to effectively take his down.
He’s a grind master. Magny can push a pace over all three rounds. His cardio is of the best quality. He’s had five-round battles in the past. Zaleski is dangerous, but also has a habit of dropping sometimes. The bout here is of three rounds. Magny can win on points.
Zaleski’s Power: A Double-Edged Sword
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, “Capoeira,” is a certified finisher. His record stands at 25-9-1. He has 14 knockouts. That’s raw power. He’s renowned for his exciting, striking-dominant style. He’ll throw flying knees and spinning strikes. He averages 4.26 significant strikes landed per minute. That’s better than Magny’s 3.43. His striking accuracy is 41%. His defense is 56%.
But wait, here is the shocker: Zaleski has been knocked out as well. His March 2025 loss to Chidi Njokuani was a TKO. Randy Brown won against him by decision in June 2024. He even fought to a draw against Rinat Fakhretdinov in November 2023. His recent record is not a string of dominant victories. He is unreliable. His defense, while good, has cracked under the strain of top-level strikers.
Magny is not a one-punch knockout. But he’s rugged. He knows how to weather the storm. He’s been absorbing 2.48 significant strikes per minute. Zaleski absorbs 3.52. That is a large margin. Magny is harder to hit cleanly.
The Road to Victory for Magny
Magny’s strategy is simple. He needs to utilize his reach. He needs to jab. He needs to take Zaleski down. He needs to control Zaleski. He can rack up control time. He can find ground and pound. Perhaps even a submission. His average for submissions is 0.2 per 15 minutes. It is not prominent, but it is available.
Zaleski will wish he had left it standing. He’ll be looking for that power hitter. But Magny knows how to stand in the way of power hitters. He has done it before. He’ll make Zaleski work for every inch. He’ll make him miss. And as the fight goes on, Zaleski’s power will dwindle.
Magny’s conditioning will be crucial. He can accelerate the pace. He can take the later rounds. Control and production will be what the judges want. Magny can provide both.
Magny vs Zaleski Final Prediction
I’m saying this, this is where the smart money bet goes. Zaleski is the flashier fighter, I guess. But Magny is the ultimate veteran’s game plan. He’ll stick to his plan. He will use his reach and grappling. He’ll outwork “Capoeira” throughout three rounds. Don’t be surprised when Magny has his hand raised by decision. Bet on “The Haitian Sensation” to upset @2.64 by registering on Game2Bet and win.
