UFC Vegas 37: SA’s JP Buys v Montel Jackson Prediction

South Africa’s JP Buys will be hell-bent on getting his hand raised when he battles Montel Jackson in a preliminary match-up at UFC Vegas 37 on Saturday night.

The main card of the event emanating from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas will be headlined by top-15 light heavyweights Anthony Smith and Ryan Spann.

PRELIMS (from 10 PM SA time):

JP Buys (4.50) v Montel Jackson (1.15) (Bantamweight)

Buys (9-3) has made big moves in his bid to correct course like his wife Cheyanne did last month. The couple made their UFC debuts on the same card in March, with both suffering disappointing defeats. JP was knocked out by Bruno Silva, while Cheyanne was grounded out by Montserrat Ruiz. 

In the wake of those setbacks and hungrier than ever to stand tall inside the Octagon, the couple moved from Dallas to Las Vegas to train at the world-famous Xtreme Couture. The bold decision paid immediate dividends for “The Warrior Princess” as she produced a highlight-reel finish in her co-main event fight against Gloria de Paula at UFC Vegas 33 in July, which earned her a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus she emotionally described as “life-changing” upon hearing the news.

In a second big career move, JP is moving up from flyweight (57kg) to bantamweight (61kg) for this fight after having felt drained in his UFC debut. He does so as a replacement for Batgerel Danaa, who was forced to pull out of the fight some three weeks ago. 

The African champion wrestler captured titles in both divisions in South Africa’s premier promotion, the EFC, so he’s no stranger to competing in the heavier of the two weight classes. However, in the shark-infested waters of the UFC, the step-up is significantly steeper. Jackson (10-2) happens to be one of the bigger bantamweights around as well. At 5’10” (1.78m), the American will tower over the 5’5″ (1.65m) Buys and will have an almost unheard of eight-and-a-half-inch reach advantage. 

In any other match-up, the Brakpan-born battler could’ve used his lower centre of gravity to get in deep underneath his adversary and dump him with his renowned takedowns, but crucially, Jackson is every bit the wrestler and grappler that Buys is.

Already a seasoned UFC fighter, “Quick” holds a 4-2 record in the promotion and scored his sixth career KO last time out against Jesse Strader in March. It’s this impressive run that has Jackson instilled as a heavy favourite, but it’s his wrestling, in particular, that validates the line in my eyes. 

Known as “Young Savage”, Buys is a dangerous opponent for anyone. All of his wins are by stoppage – five by submission and three by knockout (plus one by DQ). However, the towering Jackson has the size, strength and skill to dictate terms. 

Prediction: It pains us, but the size discrepancy will likely lead to Buys being outmuscled and probably finished with strikes. 

Best Bet: Jackson via knockout at 1.90.

Alternative Bet: Buys has the speed and technique to slap on a quick submission, which is his best path to pulling off the upset. He has the power to KO Jackson if he lands flush as well, so there’s reason to back our boytjie beyond patriotism alone. At 4.50, Buys will certainly reward you for your trust in him. 

Quintin van Jaarsveld

Quintin Van Jaarsveld is a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a former three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year. Formerly the sports editor and Outstanding Journalist of the Year award winner at The Fever Media Group, deputy editor at eHowzit, editor at SARugby.com and senior staff writer at Rugby365.com, he boasts over 15 years’ experience and is currently a freelance sports writer.